Follow Us x
In 2004, Nancy Bender-Kelner founded Bender-Kelner Wills, Trusts & Estates, P.A., a boutique trusts and estates law firm. Prior to founding the law firm, Nancy Bender-Kelner was an attorney and partner in several Twin Cities law firms, and has devoted 30+ years to this practice area. She is Past Chair of the Probate & Trust Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association, a Fellow of ACTEC (American College of Trust and Estate Counsel) and has been designated a "Super Lawyer" every year since 2004.
In 2024, Nancy selected Skyler van Rijn to join the firm as an attorney to work along with Nancy to serve the firm's clients.
Nancy S. Bender-Kelner
Attorney
- Fellow, ACTEC (American College of Trust and Estate Counsel) - the most highly respected national organization for Trust and estate lawyers
- Past Chair, Probate & Trust Law Section, Minnesota State Bar Association
- Voted 'Superlawyer' for professional achievement and peer recognition (as published in Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine and Law and Politics) from 2004 to 2025.
- Included in the 2011 edition of the Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates practice area (10+ years)
- J.D., cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School
- B.A., summa cum laude, University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts
- Valedictorian, St. Louis Park High School
- Elected to Phi Beta Kappa
- Member, Hennepin County and Minnesota State Bar Associations
- Board Member and Secretary, Winter Wheat Foundation
loading ...
loading ...
Skyler van Rijn
Attorney
- Skyler grew up in St. Louis, MO. She obtained a B.F.A. from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2021. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Minnesota to attend the University of St. Thomas School of Law, from which she attained her J.D. in 2024.
- Skyler joined the firm as a law clerk in 2023 and as a lawyer in 2024.
- During law school, Skyler realized that wills, trusts, and estates was her practice area of choice. As a result, she focused her classes around that area. Due to her studies, natural aptitude for this area, and experience gained from working at the firm as a law clerk, Skyler has acquired a knowledge base well beyond her years.
- Skyler is passionate about helping people create estate plans that are tailored to their needs and helping fiduciaries and beneficiaries understand and pursue their legal rights.
- Skyler's ability to connect with clients and explain even complex topics in a calm easy-to-understand manner makes her an invaluable assets to the firm and the firm's clients.
Ashley Brown
Paralegal/Office Manager
Ashley grew up on a farm west of the Twin Cities where she learned about hard work and the importance of family. She knew from a young age that she wanted a career in the legal field.
Ashley graduated from Ridgewater College in 2007 and worked for several law firms before joining Bender-Kelner Wills, Trusts, and Estates in 2011 where she "hit the ground running." Over the past 14+ years, Ashley has continued to greatly expand her skills and knowledge in estate planning, probate and trust administration, and beneficiary representation. She is also the firm's expert in court filings and various courts' requirements. Ashley is extremely detail-oriented and, like Nancy, understands the mentality of helping others.
Jackie Lu
Legal Assistant
- Jackie grew up in the suburbs of St. Paul where his family owned a family restaurant. Through that experience, Jackie learned the importance of customer service, which he uses on a daily basis at the firm and about which he is frequently complimented.
- He is fluent in Mandarin.
- Jackie graduated from Macalester College in 2021, majoring in Philosophy and Political Science.
- Prior to joining Bender-Kelner Wills, Trusts & Estates, P.A. in 2023, Jackie worked at a law firm as a legal assistant.
- He has always enjoyed the complexity of the legal field and always knew he wanted a legal career. He plans to attend law school in the future.
