Professional Specialties
Income Tax and Estate Tax Planning
Tax Litigation Controversy
Trusts
Asset Protection Planning and Implementation
Business and Corporate Law
Shareholder and Business Buy/Sell Agreements for Estate Planning & Business Continuation Purposes
Estate Planning
Probate and Trust Administration
Sales of Businesses and Real Property
Qualifications
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization
Certified Specialist in Taxation Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization
Former Hearing Officer and Income Tax Auditor, Franchise Tax Board, California
Passed the California Certified Public Accountants' (CPA’s) Exam
Approved Educator - California Department of Insurance
Approved Educator - California Certificated Financial Planning Board
Blue Star Wealth Professional
Awards
Distinguished Client Service Award - Martindale-Hubbell 2014-2022
2016-2022 Northern California Super Lawyer for Estate Planning & Probate, Tax, and Business Law
2016-2022 Sacramento Magazine Top Lawyer for Business & Corporate Law
Rated AV preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
10.0 Rating with Avvo.com
Recognized as a top attorney in the United States by US News & World Reports for Taxation and Estate Planning
Recognized as a top taxation attorney in the United States by Premier Tax Planners
Author
California Tax Lawyer, August, 1992 – "Can the Service Partner Finally Go Back To Work?"
Nationally recognized author with articles regularly appearing in Kiplinger, NASDAQ.com, On Wall Street, The American Journal of Managed Care, Penton: Wealth Management, Yahoo Finance, Leimburg, ThinkAdvisor and Hospital Impact
Co-Author
Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning and Asset Protection, "Maximize the Use of Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning" and "Sort Through the Complex Rules Regarding the taxation of Family Limited Partnerships," August 2008
Estate Planning Basics, "Estate and Gift Taxes" and "Charitable Planning," August 2008
Fundamental Probate Procedures and Practices, "Inventory & Appraisal," May 2008
Estate and Gift Taxes, "Estate, Gift and GST Taxes," January 2008
Estate Planning Basics, "Basic Taxes You Need to be Aware Of," January 2008
The Probate Process for California Paralegals: From Start to Finish, 2003 and 2004
A Practical Guide to Estate Administration in California, 1992 and 1993
Education
California State University of Sacramento, B.S. Accounting
McGeorge School of Law, J.D. with distinction, Class Rank – 4th
McGeorge School of Law, L.L.M. Taxation
Academic Achievements
American Jurisprudence Awards in Torts and Business Planning
Corpus Juris Secundum Award For Making the Most Outstanding Contribution to Legal Scholarship (1985 and 1988)
Order of the Coif
Prentice-Hall Outstanding Tax Student Award
Traynor Society Award for Academic Achievement
Member
Former member of Board of Directors, Sacramento Estate Planning Council
Former Education Chair, Sacramento Estate Planning Council Sacramento County and California Bar Associations
National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
Wealth Counsel
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
