Best Lawyers Near You in Solana Beach, California for Trusts and Estates
Julie Dewberry is an estate planning and tax attorney licensed in both California and Virginia. Ms. Dewberry advises domestic and international families, entrepreneurs, and executives on the tax-efficient accumulation, preservation, and transfer of assets. She excels at building an understanding of her client’s values, concerns, and long-term goals and designing an estate plan to achieve those goals. Ms. Dewberry regularly prepares estate plans for clients who want to ensure their young...
Scott J. Ingold is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Scott J., who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Laura Nichols is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s San Diego office, and a member of the Tax, Benefits and Estate Planning practice group. Ms. Nichols is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and is also certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. Only approximately five percent of California’s attorneys are certified as specialists...
Rebecca L. O'Toole is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Rebecca L., who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rebecca L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Louis Mezzullo’s principal areas of practice are Taxation, Estate and Business Succession Planning, and Employee Benefits. He was on the faculty of the University of Miami School of Law Graduate Program in Estate Planning from 2004 to 2007 and on the faculty of the University of San Diego School of Law in 2009. He was an adjunct professor of law at the University of Richmond Law School from 1978 until 2006. He is listed in Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who in Emerging Leaders and Who...
At Withers Bergman LLP, Steven focuses his practice on estate planning, trust and estate administration, charitable giving and representing tax-exempt organizations. He has designed and used computer modeling to show the economic consequences of various estate planning and charitable giving techniques. Steven is also experienced in the area of executive compensation, focusing on compensation and intermediate sanctions issues for tax-exempt organizations. Steven has represented exempt organiza...
In his law practice, HFM Partner Bruce O’Brien’s focuses on all aspects of federal and state taxation, with a particular emphasis on tax controversies, partnerships, limited liability companies, and business planning. Mr. O’Brien represents taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, Franchise Tax Board, and State Board of Equalization. He also represents clients before the United States Tax Court, and he is a certified specialist in Taxation Law. Additionally, Mr. O&rsqu...
HFM Trusts & Estates Partner Brian Tsu is a Fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel and California Certified Legal Specialist. Mr. Tsu represents high-net-worth individuals in the areas of domestic and international estate planning, related areas of taxation and closely-held family business planning. He also advises fiduciaries in complex trust and estate administrations, particularly when tax or cross-border issues are present. His work includes: International Estate ...
Michelle Graham focuses her practice on estate planning and tax planning strategies for domestic and international clients. She advises U.S. and non-U.S. individuals on tax planning matters, including strategies to minimize global taxation and IRS compliance regarding foreign reporting. Michelle works with non-U.S. individuals investing in the United States and U.S. individuals residing abroad on their U.S. tax filings and global estate planning. Her cross-border experience spans Latin Americ...
Sara Pike is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Nonprofit / Charities Law and Trusts and Estates. Sara, who practices law in La Jolla, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sara is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Phillip Szachowicz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Phillip, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Phillip is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Philip Mauriello is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Philip, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Matthew Odgers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Health Care Law and Trusts and Estates. Matthew, who practices law in Carlsbad, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Greer L. Houston is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Greer L., who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Greer L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stephanie Delaney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Stephanie, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephanie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Gwendolyn Andrey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Gwendolyn, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gwendolyn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.