Sterling Nielsen

Sterling Nielsen is a shareholder at Woods Fuller with a business law practice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He focuses on business and corporate transactions, tax law, business succession, and estate planning and trust law. His work brings together legal and tax considerations that affect business owners and individuals organizing their affairs. He helps clients assess how present financial and ownership decisions connect with long-term plans.

Sterling earned a J.D. and a Master of Professional Accountancy from the University of South Dakota. He later received a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida in May 2019. He previously completed a B.A. at St. Olaf College. His combined legal, accounting, and advanced tax education supports a practice involving closely related business, tax, estate, and succession planning issues.

His practice includes advising on business transactions and the tax implications of organizational and ownership decisions. Sterling also assists with business succession arrangements, trusts, and estate planning matters. These areas often require consideration of business continuity, asset ownership, financial records, and future transfers. His accounting background provides an additional perspective when clients need to understand how legal structures interact with financial and tax responsibilities.

Sterling is admitted to practice in South Dakota and Iowa. His work is directed toward helping clients consider important planning decisions before transactions or changes in ownership take place. By combining legal advice with an understanding of accounting and taxation, Sterling Nielsen helps business owners and individuals evaluate their options and organize arrangements that address both immediate obligations and longer-term financial objectives.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Woods Fuller Shultz & Smith P.C.
• Member, State Bar of South Dakota
• Member, Iowa State Bar Association

Licensed State

• South Dakota
• Iowa

Education

• University of Florida
  Master of Laws (LLM) in Taxation
• University of South Dakota
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of South Dakota
  Master of Professional Accountancy
• St. Olaf College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges