Dave Knasel is a Member of Protorae Law and heads the firm’s Trusts and Estates practice. In addition to estate planning and administration, he also practices in the areas of Corporate and Business Entities, Business Transactions, as well as business succession planning. He represents and counsel clients in a variety of business and estate matters. In every engagement, Dave seeks to be a trusted advisor to his clients, guiding them through the legal process, and helping them achieve their goals.
Prior to joining Protorae, Dave founded and ran his own law practice, focused on business and estate law, for many years. During that time, he developed a passion for estate and business succession planning and, especially, assisting business owners create integrated plans for their families, personal wealth, and businesses. With nearly 25 years of legal experience, Dave has seen the benefits of thoughtful advance planning and the costly mistakes that can happen without it. Dave brings this background, experience, and passion to the practice of law. He truly enjoys helping people put in place the legal plans that will preserve and protect their families, businesses, and wealth.
Dave is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Virginia, where he earned both his B.A. and J.D. degrees. Following law school, he served as a Law Clerk to The Honorable Reginald W. Gibson, Judge, U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Dave began his career in private practice as a commercial litigator, representing large corporate clients in telecommunications, environmental, contract, employment, and consumer class action cases.
Dave is admitted to the practice of law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Florida, as well as various federal trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Dave enjoys hiking and other outdoor activities, playing guitar, and attending concerts. As an avid soccer fan, he passionately cheers on D.C. United and Liverpool. Dave continues to live in his hometown of McLean, Virginia, where he is consistently voted World’s Coolest Uncle by his nephew and nieces.
