Rembolt Ludtke LLP is saddened to announce the passing of name partner, David A. Ludtke, whose distinguished career as an attorney, scholar, and teacher left a lasting impact on the firm, the legal profession, and the many clients and colleagues who benefited from his insight and guidance.
David was widely respected as a national authority on tax and estate planning. Born and raised in North Dakota, he demonstrated an early commitment to academic excellence. He attended Harvard University before earning his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School, graduating magna cum laude.
He began his legal career with the Washington, D.C. law firm Hogan & Hartson, where he developed expertise in tax and business planning. David later joined the University of Nebraska College of Law as a professor of tax law, where he taught full-time from 1972 to 1986. During that time, he also practiced law with the firm that became Rembolt Ludtke LLP.
Over the course of his career, David earned national recognition for his work in complex tax matters, estate planning, and business succession, particularly for family businesses and agricultural enterprises. He was also a respected legal scholar and co-author of several influential publications, including Estate Planning for Farmers and Ranchers (Shepard’s–McGraw Hill, 1996) and Family Business Organization (Shepard’s–McGraw Hill, 1996).
Through both his scholarship and his legal practice, David helped guide generations of lawyers, accountants, and business owners in navigating complex issues of tax planning, family business structure, and agricultural estate planning.
Tara Paulson, CEO of Rembolt Ludtke LLP, reflected on David’s legacy:
“David Ludtke’s legacy is deeply woven into the values that define our firm. He practiced law with integrity, approached complex problems with innovation, and believed that collaboration and community were essential to serving clients well. As we continue to grow as a firm, we remain committed to those same principles—working together to help our clients succeed while building a firm that reflects the strength that comes from diverse perspectives.”
We remain grateful for his leadership, scholarship, and lasting contributions to Rembolt Ludtke LLP and the legal profession.
