NICHOLEEN S. DePERSIS
Member

Background

Nicholeen (“Nikki”) DePersis focuses her practice on estate planning and trusts and estates administration.  Nikki advises clients with estates of varying sizes and complexities.  She works with clients to address both family estate planning goals and business succession planning.  Additionally, Nikki has experience drafting nuptial agreements and preparing estate planning documents to comply with existing nuptial agreements.   Recognizing that estate planning documents often span generations, Nikki often works with clients to implement non-judicial settlement agreements and trust reformations to update and modify plans as necessary.  Nikki has a particular interest in charitable giving and incorporating charitable giving in estate planning. 

Prior to joining Franklin Karibjanian Law & DePersis PLLC, Nikki was with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, where she was a member of the tax group.

Nikki is a member of the Virginia and District of Columbia bars. 

Nikki received her B.A. in Government and Computer Applications and Programming from the University of Notre Dame and received her J.D. from Duke University School of Law.

Education

• Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina — J.D.

• University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana — B.A. in Government and Computer Applications and Programming

Bar Admissions

• Virginia, 2005

• Washington, D.C., 2006

Professional Affiliations

• Washington, D.C. Estate Planning Council

• District of Columbia Bar Association

• Estates, Trust and Probate Law Community, member

• Taxation Community, member

• Virginia State Bar Association

• Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia

• American Bar Association

• Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, member

Recent Publications

"When "Disposition" Does Not Necessarily Mean "Disposition" - The Alternate Valuation of Certain Survivorship and Retirement Assets"
Estate Planning Journal
Vol. 51, No. 6, June 2024
Co-Author with George D. Karibjanian

"Are Silent Trusts Allowed Under Virginia Law?  Maybe … but Maybe Not"
Virginia Lawyer
Vol. 73, No 1, June 2024
Co-Author with George D. Karibjanian

Recent Presentations

December 2025
“Planning for Charitable Giving at Death and Beyond”
Estate Planning Committee of the D.C. Bar Taxation Community
Virtual
Sole Presenter