Top Best Estate Lawyers | 18248 Available

I have been engaged in private law practice in California since 1982, with an emphasis in the areas of estate and gift planning, tax planning, trust administration, probate, business and succession planning, and charitable giving. I graduated 2nd in my class from Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and received a Master’s Degree in Taxation (LL.M.) from New York University School of Law.. I have been designated as a Certified Specialist in Probate, Estate Planning and Trust Law, and as a Certified Specialist in Taxation Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. I am one of less than approximately 100 attorneys in California (out of approximately 160,000) who have earned both these Board Certifications.. Among my specialty is the ability to explain sophisticated and difficult concepts to clients in an easy-to-understand way, allowing clients to comprehend how various estate and tax planning techniques will affect their estate plans.. I have been quoted and referenced in many magazines and newspapers across the country including Forbes Magazine, US News & World Report, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and Entrepreneur Magazine.. I have authored over 65 articles and chapters in books on various estate and tax planning subjects, including booklets on A Guide to Planning Your Estate, A Guide to Trust Administration, and A Guide to Advanced Estate Tax Planning Techniques. I have published articles and materials for Estate Planning Magazine and California Continuing Education of the Bar. In addition, I have authored chapters on “Corporate Buy-Sell Agreements” and “Partnership Buy-Out Agreements” for Counseling California Corporations, published by the California Continuing Education of the Bar.. I am a frequent speaker and lecturer at estate and tax planning conferences and seminars, including those presented by the California State Bar, California Continuing Education of the Bar, California CPA Education Foundation, Society of Financial Service Professionals, Life Insurance Leaders’ Round Table, and various other professional organizations. I taught at UCLA, USC and California Lutheran University.. In addition to being chosen by my peers as a Top 100 Super Lawyer for Southern California since 2011, I have been selected by my peers as a Super Lawyer for Southern California since 2009.  I have been awarded the highest possible rating by my peers, an “A.V.” rating, for the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. This rating is based on ethical considerations and legal skills. Each year, no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state receive this honor. I have been elected to Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in Practicing Attorneys, Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America, Presidential Who’s Who and Marquis’ Who’s Who in the World.. I enjoy competing in marathons and triathlons and have completed 13 marathons, including the Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Surf City and Silicon Valley marathons. I completed two Ironman triathlons, which consist of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run, and other triathlons, including the California Half Ironman, Big Kahuna Triathlon, Carlsbad Triathlon, the 5430 Triathlon (in Boulder, Colorado) and the Nautica Malibu Triathlon.. I co-founded Team Tisser Foundation (TTF), a non-profit corporation, which raises money for charitable causes. I raise money through athletic training and racing. Through TTF, I have raised over $250,000 in donations for various charities, including the Aubrey Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research at Memoria lSloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Challenged Athletes Foundation. For more information on TTF, see .. One of my proudest moments was at the 2007 Ironman Coeur d’Alene when I was honored by the Janus Charity Challenge for raising over $41,000 for TTF by competing in that race.

My name is Alex Hemmelgarn, Esq.  I live and work in Burbank, California.  My practice is primarily in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law Litigation and Planning, and Tax.. I graduated from Ohio State in 2009 with a degree in History and Pre-Law before earning a J.D. at John Marshall Law School in Chicago.  My background is in Tax Planning, Special Needs Planning, and Elder Law Litigation, working for both the Cook County State's Attorney and a private Elder Law firm before starting my own practice.. Visit for more information, answers for frequently asked questions, to ask your own question, and to set up a free consultation.  Folow me on Twitter @312ElderLaw

I specialize in Estate planning to assist my clients in arranging for a secure future for themselves and their families.  I foucs on creating estate plans that reflect the unique needs and wishes of the individual client, and counseling families in working together to manage elder law issues and asset protection.  I particularly enjoy working with my clients to achieve the best possible quality of life for elderly family members.. I am married, with two adult children and three grandchildren.  My husband and I have lived in Encino for over 40 years.  In addition to my law practice, I enjoy spending time with my family, and my hobbies include gourmet cooking, gardening, photography, and travel.  We have two Shetland Sheepdogs who like to keep me company when I garden.  Prior to becoming an attorney I owned and managed a retail travel agency for over twenty years.  I feel this business experience added an extra dimension to my understanding of estate planning needs, particularly as they relate to small business owners and their families.. My favorite part of practicing law is getting to know the families who come to me for assistance.

My practices in Trusts & Estate Planning and Corporate Law oftentimes overlap. I work extensively with clients interested in business succession planning as well as gift tax planning.