Nicholas Tyszka, M.S.A., J.D., LL.M.

Introduction

Nicholas Tyszka is an attorney at Handler Law, LLP, an internationally acclaimed private client law firm in Chicago. He focuses his practice primarily on advanced planning for family offices and their businesses, with an emphasis on governance and family dynamics.

A problem-solver at his core, Nicholas has developed a reputation among clients as being able to manage most any challenge – often becoming a quarterback of sorts for affluent families with complex legal issues, including during times of crisis and succession planning. While a thought leader on real estate and governance matters, Nicholas’ best skill is often managing outside resources at moments of urgent need.

Representative domestic and international matters include corporate governance, structuring, taxation, alternative investment opportunities (including real property, private equity and credit, venture capital, and hedge funds), and philanthropic endeavors.

Career Highlights

• Recognized as a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP®) by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners; a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA®) by the American Bankers Association; a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) by the Exit Planning Institute; and a Qualified Family Office Professional (QFOP) by the Accredited Certification Institute of the Family Office Club
• Currently serving as an inaugural co-chair of the newly-created Family Office Committee at the Chicago Bar Association for the 2024-2025 bar year (the first bar committee of its kind in the United States)
• Currently serving as the Programmes Secretary for the Chicago Branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
• Trained extensively in best corporate governance practices, having received the Directorship Certification® (NACD.DC™) from the National Association of Corporate Directors; the Certificate in Private Company Governance from the Private Directors Association; and the Boardroom Certified Qualified Technology Expert (QTE™) designation from the Digital Directors Network (DDN)
• Currently serving as a co-chair of the University Outreach Committee of the Private Directors Association, focused on improving board governance for businesses participating in university-based family business centers across the United States
• Served as the 26th president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago (2022-2023)
• A frequent speaker on topics pertaining to real estate and title insurance, Nicholas is the only lawyer in Illinois to serve on the drafting committee for both of the prevailing residential real estate forms in our market (the Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contract 7.0/8.0 and the Chicago Association of REALTORS® forms (Rev. 2017)); he continues to serve on the Multi-Board form’s executive committee
• One of just 114 title professionals nationally to hold the American Land Title Association’s highest designation (the “National Title Professional” or “NTP®”)
• Prior to law school, spent his early career working in public relations, government affairs, and politics for national political leaders

Educational Highlights

• Holds two (2) law degrees from Loyola University Chicago, including an LL.M. in Business & Corporate Governance Law where he wrote a master’s thesis that analyzed the economic and legal environments that gave rise to the financial collapse in the United States in 2008 and 2009
• Holds two (2) degrees from the University of Notre Dame, including an undergraduate degree that was earned in just three (3) years and a graduate business degree from the Mendoza College of Business

Personal

Nicholas and his wife, Alicia, live in in Hinsdale with their two active children, Emma and Jack. They are parishioners at St. Isaac Jogues.

Presentations

• "Where Did the Time Go?: The Sunsetting of TCJA Exemption Levels and Post-2025 Estate Planning Considerations”
  Chicago Bar Association, Trust Law Committee Forthcoming, June 9, 2025
• “UHNW Philanthropy: Investment vs. Gift”
  Chicago Council on Planned Giving May 21, 2025
• “Planning Your Legacy – From Womb to Tomb”
  Chicago Bar Association, Presidential CLE Series March 25, 2025
• "The Multi-Board 8.0: The Residential Real Estate Contract About to Breeze into the Windy City”
  Chicago Bar Association, Residential Real Property Law Committee January 28, 2025
• "Family Offices as the Next Chapter for Families Facing Major Liquidity Events”
  Exit Planning Institute November 11, 2024
• “Recent Developments in Delaware Courts & What They Mean for the Future of Domiciling Family Offices”
  Exceptionalism in the Family Office, a part of the MasterClass Series February 29, 2024