Nelle is a Partner in the Austin office of Ytterberg Deery Knull LLP. Nelle advises individual clients and families on all aspects of their estate, gift, and income tax planning and personal legal matters, especially intergenerational wealth transfer, pursuit of philanthropic goals, and structuring business interests for transfer and succession. Assets transferred have included traditional and alternative investments, residences, works of art, unique business interests (including ownership of a major league sports team), and conservation easements. Nelle also guides fiduciaries and beneficiaries in connection with the administration of estates and trusts. She has represented clients in Federal and state estate, gift, and income tax audits challenging characterization of transfers, valuations, residency, and other issues.
As a significant part of her practice, Nelle has led the establishment of tax-exempt organizations, including charities, public benefit corporations, business leagues, and social clubs. She provides ongoing guidance to such organizations for compliance with Federal and state tax and other regulatory requirement and achieving best practices for governance and operations.
For her work with individuals and charitable organizations as part of recovery from the September 11, 2001, attacks, Nelle received the Lawyers Alliance for New York’s Cornerstone Award in 2002. She was also acknowledged by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP with the Michael A. Cooper Award for Outstanding Public Service in 2015 for her extensive work on that firm’s pro bono matters and was routinely recognized by the New York State Bar for her pro bono efforts.
Nelle is admitted to practice in Texas, New York, and Connecticut.
EDUCATION
- The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1994
- Texas Law Review – Associate Editor 1993-1994
- Harvard University, A.B., cum laude, 1989
- Kirkland House Public Service Award, 1989
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
- Ytterberg Deery Knull LLP, 2022-Present
- Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, 1994-2000, 2001-2019, 2020-2022
- Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, 2019-2020
- Cummings & Lockwood LLC, 2000-2001