David M. Knasel

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. 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 managed his own law practice, Dominion Legal PLC, which focused on business and estate law. Dave has a passion for estate and business succession planning and, especially, assisting business owners create integrated plans for their families, personal wealth, and businesses. With over 28 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, Florida, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, 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.