PRO
also known as Tom Rossmeissl
I am a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. As an experienced Silicon Valley trusts and estates attorney, my clients come from San Jose, the South Bay, and throughout the Bay Area. My practice includes estate planning, estate administration, and trust and estate litigation.
I love working with clients to prepare an estate plan uniquely suited to their needs and circumstances. I help my clients navigate some of the difficult choices they have in arranging their affairs to take care of their families when they are no longer able to do so. My clients put their trust and confidence in me to prepare wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, nominations of guardians and other documents according to their desires, to make sure that when bad things happen, a plan is in place to provide for themselves and their families.
With regard to my trusts and estate administration practice, I represent trustees in administering trusts after the death of a settlor and in addressing issues raised by beneficiaries. I also represent beneficiaries of trusts when the trustee is not complying with the trustee's fiduciary duties. I am also involved in probate administrations when a decedent's estate is not held in a trust.
I am also a litigation attorney, and I represent clients in trusts and estates issues disputes. I am a hard-working and zealous advocate for my clients. I have tried cases in state and federal court, and I have settled many disputes.
Clients like me because I am responsive to their needs, prompt in answering their questions, and because I provide top-notch service.
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Practice Areas
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State: California
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
16450 Los Gatos Boulevard, Suite 108, Los Gatos, CA, 95032
rossmeissllaw.com/attorney/rossmeissl-thomas-e/Other places you can find Thomas online.
AI-summarized from Avvo client reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 15 reviews
Posted by Katherine | May 12, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Highly Recommend
With a new baby, my husband and I knew it was time to do a family trust. I was referred to Tom by a friend, and from the beginning I felt that we were in very good hands. What could otherwise be a complicated process went very smoothly and quickly. Tom was knowledgable, thorough and patient - walking...
Posted by Bj Stratton | April 09, 2017 | Hired Attorney
The BEST in the Bay Area. Period. You can stop looking.
Though I really think this review should be 100% focused on Tom's ability to come through when needed, I feel like I should shed some light on "why" we needed Tom in the first place. Truthfully, I don't think we would have won without him, so a review is the absolute least I can do.. Long story s...
Posted by Mary | December 29, 2014
Excellent Attorney
I have recommended Thomas Rossmeissl to many friends and others who are looking for an estate planning attorney. I have been pleased with the work he did for me. He is very responsive, discusses all the options, and makes it easy to make decisions. Highly recommended.
Posted by Rooney | December 12, 2014
Trusts
Tom was very efficient and knowledgeable about my trusts. He was well prepared in reviewing my old trusts and in making the necessary changes. He was very inclusive about all the different items/forms that needed to be signed by myself and trustee. I have recommended him to my friends.
Posted by anonymous | December 12, 2014
Rating for T. Rossmeiss
A friend recommended him to us. He helped us set up a trust. He was very thorough and was always prompt. I would highly recommend him.
"Tom Rosmeissl is one of the best attorneys I know. He is that rare combination of superior intellect, skill and experience. Tom listens to his clients' needs, is able to ask pertinent and very personal questions, all while keeping his clients at ease. He works with his clients so well, to get them to take the time they need to think about issues with regard to estate planning – issues they likely had not thought of before, but which are crucial to the process. I recommend Tom Rosmeissl as an attorney of the highest order."
"Tom and I worked together on several matters and have a relationship that has spanned more than 20 years. He approaches issues with uncommon clarity, precision, and creativity. He is hardworking, pays careful attention to detail, and has great capacity to plan stragically for the long-term. I heartily recommend Tom."
"I have known Tom for over half a decade. He is an extremely knowledgeable estate planning attorney who also possesses significant litigation experience. I have referred clients and family to him in the past. He will continue to be a go-to referral for me when someone has an estate planning need or dispute."
"Tom brings considerable talent and expertise to bear in helping with one of the most important legal tasks in life - planning their Estate. Tom is a credit to the legal profession and I'm proud to endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Rossmeissl is an experienced attorney to whom I have referred many happy clients in need of Estate Planning matters. He has handled everything from simple wills and trusts to heated estate and probate litigation matters with extreme professionalism and competence."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Tom is thoughtful, committed and hardworking. He provides personal and objective advice in a sensitive and compassionate way. Tom has a great ability to clearly explain complex principals. I recommend this attorney."
"Tom is an excellent estate planning attorney that I highly recommend. Tom is extremely knowledgeable in all facets of estate planning and administration, and is one of the sharpest litigators I know. I have referred my closest friends to Tom for their estate planning needs"
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"Mr. Rossmeissl and I work in some of the same areas of law, so I have had the opportunity to review a great many of his Avvo responses. I find that his legal knowledge is top-notch and that he is genuinely interested in helping people with honest, practical advice. I am happy to endorse him and his services. James Frederick"
"I endorse Attorney Rossmeissl. It is clear from his contributions that he is well versed in the law and thoughtful to those to whom he provides his services."
"Tom is smart, thorough, and an excellent problem solver. Equally, he is a great listener and designs estate plans that fit his clients' needs."
Litigation lawyer
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Litigation lawyer
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Litigation lawyer
Real estate lawyer
Elder law lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Environmental and natural resources lawyer
Government contracts lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
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Super Lawyer rating, SuperLawyers.com
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Peer rated “AV Preeminent” for ethical standards, Martindale-Hubbell
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Top Estate Planning Attorney, Avvo Rating 10.0 Superb
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Top Litigation Attorney, vvo Rating 10.0 Superb
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Avvo Client’s Choice Award, Estate Planning, Avvo Client’s Choice Award, Estate Planning
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Avvo Top Contributor Award, Estate Planning, Avvo Top Contributor Award
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Avvo Client’s Choice Award, Litigation, Avvo Client’s Choice Award, Litigation
1993 - Present
Santa Clara County Bar Association
Executive Committee, Past Chair
Education Committee, Past Co-Chair
2020 - 2020
Silicon Valley Bar AssociationPresident, Board of Trustees
2019 - 2019
Silicon Valley Bar Association, Judicial Liaison Santa Clara County
Successfully settled dispute on favorable terms.
Obtained settlement on favorable terms
Negotiated settlement on favorable terms.
Successfully settled
Successful petition to modify irrevocable trust
Successfully settled disputed case
Successfully negotiated settlement
Successful in obtaining order modifying irrevocable trust and terminating irrevocable trust
Successful modification to irrevocable trust
Negotiated successful settlement
Successful modification to irrevocable trust
Successfully negotiated beneficial settlement
successful in obtaining order confirming trust ownership of assets
Successfully obtained dismissal of suit and award of monetary sanctions for client
successfully defeated efforts to remove trustee; obtained desired protection for elder
Successful modification to irrevocable trust
Successfully obtained appointment of conservator
Successful modification to trust
Successful appointment of successor trustee
Successful modification to irrevocable trust
Successfully obtained inheritance.
Successful modification to irrevocable trust
Successfully completed estate administration
completed probate administration
Obtained summary judgment in client's favor
lawsuit dismissed, affirmed on appeal
Successful settlement on favorable terms
Prevailed after 7-day court trial.
Successfully prepared sophisticated estate plan
Successful
Resolved favorably.
Successfully resolved
Appointment of client as conservator
Obtained summary judgment
Petition granted
Successfully invalidated instruments
Successfully settled case on favorable terms
Settled
Settled favorably
Favorable
1990
JD - Juris Doctor
1984
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2016
Estate Planning
2015
Probate and Bankruptcy: When Death and Debtor Collide
2014
Trusts and Estates: Real Property Issues
2013
Business Succession and Estate Planning
2011
Estate Planning & Administration
2011
Legal Ethics
2007
Estate Planning
2007
Fundamentals of Estate Planning
2007
Estate Planning
2005
Estate Planning
2002
Serving as Law Clerk to a Federal Judge
2002
Estate Planning
2001
Federal Litigation Practice
2009
1998
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Can a trustee pay themselves for activities not directly related to managing the trust and assets?
27 Mar 2025
How to cash insurance check for damages made out to me and deceased co-owner?
21 Feb 2025
Two trusts. One is revocable the other irrevocable. trusts have the same properties but 50% interest & different trustees
28 Jan 2025
Hidden Dangers in Outdated Trusts
09 Jul 2013
URGENT ALERT: For Anyone Administering an Estate of a Decedent Who Died in 2011
30 Sep 2011
Estate Tax Law Update:Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act
17 Dec 2010