The Law Firm

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.

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) 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,2018, and 2019
  • 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

Nancy S. Bender-Kelner
Rated by Super Lawyers


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Nancy S. Bender-Kelner
Rated by Super Lawyers


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Ashley Brown

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." Since that time, she has continued to greatly expand her skills and knowledge. Ashley is extremely detail-oriented and, like Nancy, understands a service mentality of helping others.