Since 1980, Mr. Phillips' practice has focused exclusively on estate and trust planning, probate and trust administration, and related tax law. This includes his representation of individuals in preparing their wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and related estate documents. He also represents trustees, executors, administrators, attorneys-in-fact, conservators, and guardians.
CERTIFIED SPECIALIST in Probate, Estate Planning and Trust Law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization since inception of State certification program in 1990. Rated "av" (highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards) by Martindale Hubbell Law Directory, and included in their Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers annually since 1995.
EDUCATION : Golden Gate University School of Law (Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, 1988); Hastings College of Law, University of California (Juris Doctor, 1980; First Place, 1979 David E. Snodgrass Moot Court Competition--Best Written Brief); University of California at Davis (Bachelor of Science in Human Development, magna cum laude, 1976); Castro Valley High School (1972).
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS : 1991-1992 Member of the Executive Committee of California State Bar's Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section. 1990 President of the Eastern Alameda County Bar Association. Former member of the Executive Committee of the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section of the Alameda County Bar Association. Former director of the Estate Planning Council of the East Bay. Member of Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Section and Taxation Section of the State Bar of California, and of Tri-Valley Business and Estate Planning Council. Former director of Tri-Valley Community Foundation and Castro Valley Arts Foundation. Director Emeritus of California State University Hayward Educational Foundation, Inc. Former President of Hayward Rotary Club Foundation. Former Chairperson of Eden Area Foundation. Member of Advisory Council of The East Bay Cancer Support Group. Member of Pleasanton and Livermore Chambers of Commerce and Hayward Rotary Club.
PRIOR EMPLOYMENT : Existing firm established in Pleasanton in 1989. Of counsel to Varni, Fraser, Hartwell & Rodgers in Pleasanton from 1989 to 1992. Attorney with Smith, Etnire, Polson & Scott in Pleasanton from 1983 to 1989. Attorney in Hayward from 1980 to 1983.
OTHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION : Author: "Tax Comparison of Living Trusts and Wills," Fundamentals of Estate Planning, CEB and the State Bar Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law Section Program (April 1991); "Tax Considerations in Comparing Living Trusts and Wills," Drafting Wills and Related Estate Planning Documents, CEB and the State Bar Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law Section Program (April/May 1990); "Taxes and Living Trusts," California Lawyer (February 1989); "Federal Income Tax Differences Between Living Trust Administration and Probate Administration," Tax Exchange (November 1988). Included in Northern California Super Lawyers. Served as Judge Pro Tem, Alameda County Superior Courts. Appointed by Alameda County Probate Court as Special Master, Guardian Ad Litem, and Personal Representative in contested trust, probate, conservatorship, and guardianship cases.
PERSONAL : Native of Castro Valley, California. Son of Alameda County Superior Court Judge George W. Phillips, Jr., who served from 1964 - 1980. Married with two children. Coach youth track club.