Carol Kao is co-chair of the Family Wealth and Exempt Organizations practice group. Ms. Kao specializes in estate planning with an emphasis on family wealth transfers for large estates, sophisticated estate and gift tax saving techniques, charitable planned giving, family foundations, and complex probate and trust administrations.
Ms. Kao has been selected as one of the "Best Lawyers in America." She was also named one of "Southern California Super Lawyers," and ranked as one of the "Top 25 Women Attorneys" and one of the "Top 50 Attorneys" in San Diego by San Diego Super Lawyers.
Memberships
Certified Public Accountant, California (Inactive).
Fellow of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel.
Former member of the Executive Committee of California State Bar, Trusts & Estates Section (Past Chair of Education Committee and Past Chair of Income and Transfer Tax Committee).
Co-author of Chapter on Regulation of Fundraising in CEB's Advising California Nonprofit Corporations (Second Edition, 1998).
Contributing author of Chapter on Ancillary Probate in CEB's California Decedent Estate Administration.
Past chair of California State Bar Tax-Exempt Organizations Committee (also served as Chair-elect and Vice-chair).
San Diego County Bar Association.
Member of the Planned Giving Committee of University of California, San Diego.
La Jolla Estate Planning Trust and Probate Section.
Past Member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of Make-a-Wish Foundation of San Diego.
Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego.
Recognition
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rating.
The Best Lawyers in America® - Listed 2006 to 2012 (Trusts and Estates).
San Diego Super Lawyers - Listed 2006 to 2011 (Estate Planning & Probate).
Top 50 San Diego Super Lawyers - Listed 2008 to 2011.
Top 25 Women San Diego Super Lawyers -Listed 2007 to 2011.
Recipient of State Bar of California's Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services.
Recipient of San Diego Volunteer Program's Distinguished Service Award.
The Daily Transcript: San Diego County Top Attorneys - 2011 - Estate Planning/Probate & Trust.
Industries
Nonprofit Corporations
Publications / Presentations
Media Presence / Articles About Attorney / Attorney Contribution
09 | 08 | 2011 Recognition
Thirty-Four Luce Forward Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America®
06 | 05 | 2011 Recognition
Thirty Luce Forward Partners Named San Diego Super Lawyers
06 | 15 | 2010 Recognition
Thirty Luce Forward Attorneys Named San Diego Super Lawyers
08 | 04 | 2009 Recognition
Luce Forward Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America
06 | 17 | 2009 Recognition
Thirty-Two Luce Forward Attorneys Named San Diego Super Lawyers
06 | 02 | 2009 Community Presence
Luce Forward Officially Launches Women's Initiative
05 | 19 | 2008 Recognition
32 Luce Forward Attorneys Named San Diego Super Lawyers - Five Attorneys Receive Top Honors
09 | 21 | 2007 Recognition
Luce Forward Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America: Attorneys at Prominent California Law Firm Receive Recognition
06 | 07 | 2007 Recognition
34 Luce Forward Attorneys Named San Diego Super Lawyers
09 | 06 | 2006 Recognition
19 Luce Forward Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America
10 | 19 | 2005 Recognition
11 Luce Forward Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers in America"
(Also at San Diego Office)