Danielle Nafekh

Associate

Danielle Nafekh ("Dani") focuses her litigation practice on all aspects of trust and estates disputes, including trust contests, estate litigation, beneficiary rights, and financial elder abuse claims.

Dani recognizes the legal and emotional challenges that come with trust and estate litigation, and she is committed to guiding her clients through complex legal issues with compassion and efficiency. Dani’s clients can rely on her to be a zealous advocate who works to achieve tailored solutions that align with her client’s individual needs.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Pathfinders Program, 2025
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Barrister’s Division, Board Member, 2024
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Business Law and Probate & Estate Planning Law Sections
  • California Lawyers Association, Trusts and Estates Section
  • Legal Services of Northern California Pro Bono Estate Planning Clinic, 2021-2023
  • Pepperdine Law Review, Articles Editor, 2020-2021

Honors & Rankings

  • Order of the Coif
  • Externship, Honorable John A. Mendez, United States District Court, Eastern District of California, 2019
  • CALI Excellence for the Future Award for Highest Grade in Multiple Classes, Including Ethical Lawyering, Federal Income Taxation, Constitutional Law – Individual Rights and Liberties, and Intellectual Property Survey
  • Represented trust beneficiary against trustee who refused to distribute trust assets. Successfully compelled distribution of the trust estate.
  • Successfully defended trustee against claims of breach of trust by beneficiary.
  • Represented co-trustee in trust administration wherein other co-trustee refused to take any action.  Obtained order from court requiring co-trustee to cooperate in trust administration.
  • Secured the recovery of trust assets that trustee had stolen from the trust.
  • Represented client in contesting invalid first amendment to father’s trust, on the basis of undue influence.  The matter was settled at mediation with an agreement that the amendment was invalid.

Announcements

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Blogs

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Dani is from Toronto, Canada. She moved to California in 2014 to attend UC Davis, where she played Division 1 basketball. Now, Dani feels very lucky to call Sacramento home. In her free time, Dani enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Drew, and their dog, Juno. She also enjoys trying out new restaurants in Sacramento and attending UC Davis women’s basketball games.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Pathfinders Program, 2025
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Barrister’s Division, Board Member, 2024
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Business Law and Probate & Estate Planning Law Sections
  • California Lawyers Association, Trusts and Estates Section
  • Legal Services of Northern California Pro Bono Estate Planning Clinic, 2021-2023
  • Pepperdine Law Review, Articles Editor, 2020-2021

Honors & Rankings

  • Order of the Coif
  • Externship, Honorable John A. Mendez, United States District Court, Eastern District of California, 2019
  • CALI Excellence for the Future Award for Highest Grade in Multiple Classes, Including Ethical Lawyering, Federal Income Taxation, Constitutional Law – Individual Rights and Liberties, and Intellectual Property Survey