David C. Blickenstaff

Dave helps beneficiaries vindicate their rights, advises individual fiduciaries in discharging their duties, and represents trust companies in their most significant and sensitive cases, including “rescue” situations in which he is called upon to assist or replace prior counsel.

Dave is a vigorous advocate. Calm and no-nonsense, he defuses difficult situations while making the strongest case for his clients. He has applied this approach successfully in scores of trust disputes, contested estates, and related matters.

In the Chambers High Net Worth Guide, a respected independent rating service, Dave is one of only five lawyers who received the highest "Band 1" ranking for Private Wealth Disputes in Illinois. According to Chambers, clients describe Dave as “wonderful to work with, incredibly responsive,” “exquisite,” and “very thoughtful, very knowledgeable about trust law and ... just has a really well thought-out way of dealing with difficult clients, lowering the temperature and getting to the right resolution.”

Recognized as a leader in his field, Dave is regularly invited to speak about topics relating to fiduciary litigation and managing fiduciary risk. He also serves as a mediator in complex trust and estate disputes.

Dave is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), whose members are elected by their peers based on their skill, integrity, and contributions to the profession. He is an active member of ACTEC’s Fiduciary Litigation Committee and its Fiduciary Administration Task Force.