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Jake Anthony Carlson
also known as Jake A. Carlson MBA/JD
About Jake
Biography
Jake Carlson is an attorney, recognized business leader, inspiring presenter, and popular podcast host. He is personable and connects immediately with others. A natural storyteller, he loves listening to your story and exploring what matters most to you.
Jake earned his law degree (JD) from California Western School of Law concurrently with a business degree (MBA) from San Diego State University. He attended law school on a Creative Problem-Solving Scholarship and was awarded the 2005 Outstanding Case Award for best MBA consulting project. He is a licensed member of the State Bar of Arizona.
Jake's career began in the nonprofit sector as Associate Regional Director, and then National Major Gifts Counsel, an in-house tax counsel position, with the Boy Scouts of America National Foundation. It was in these positions he was first introduced to the idea of leaving not just your valuables but your values to the people you love most. Working with hundreds of families on tax estate strategies, he developed the Values-Based Estate Planning strategy used by LifePlan Legal today.
Later, Jake joined the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council as Director of Development and later Chief Operating Officer (COO), overseeing development efforts in the four counties of Santa Clara, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito and leading a team of 18 Field Directors and District Executives earning the Journey to Excellence Award in 2015.
Jake has personally presented to over 200 groups in 27 states on estate planning and protecting your legacy. He is the author of over 100 leadership articles on topics of influence, legacy, family vision, and the Values-Based Estate Planning process. He has had the privilege of interviewing hundreds of recognized executives and, since 2014, hosted the Family Before Fortune and The Modern Leadership podcasts.
Jake is a self-proclaimed "adventure junkie" and loves to try out new and exciting things. He has scaled volcanoes in the Philippines, backpacked through 11 National Parks, rock climbed on two continents and scuba dove with sharks. With his family, he spent time living in 12 countries from Bagan, Myanmar to Paris, France, overcoming robbery, redeye flights and Haggis while learning to love the rich cultures of the world.
Jake and his wife have 3 kids (two daughters and a son) and live in Gilbert, AZ. They all love travel and spending time creating family traditions.
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Arizona for 19 years
State: Arizona
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
LifePlan Legal AZ
2500 S Power Rd, Suite 132, Mesa, AZ, 85209
LifePlan Legal AZ
1425 S. Higley Road #106, Gilbert, AZ, 85296
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Jake Anthony Carlson's Reviews
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | September 8, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great service. Will continue to use Jake.
Good service. Walked us through the process and helped is get the documents we needed.
Posted by Bill | March 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
He has a great trust/will/etc package
Listens well, has a nice attractive trust/will/etc package, seems to be very thorough & comprehensive. I highly recommend. I've seen these "spiels" before, but this one was impressive enough to make me a customer... a very happy customer!
Jake Carlson
Replied last March 31, 2020Thank you Bill. Absolute pleasure working with you and your wife
Posted by Joseph | March 17, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Values Based Estate Planning
Jake Carlson and his team at Lifeplan Legal are exceptional. They were able to take us from the initial consult all the way through the hiring process and completed an estate plan that my wife and I are extremely happy with. Jake is a true professional. He was always available to answer and review qu...
Jake Carlson
Replied last March 18, 2020Thank you Joseph. You and your amazing family were so great.
Jake Anthony Carlson's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Jake is easy to talk to, listens well and great at in the box AND outside the box thinking. He cares about people and you will be more than a client in his hands. He will also see you as a person."
"I have worked with Jake in the past, and I can without a doubt confirm that he is 100% client-focused. You will be very happy about how you are treated."
"I have worked with Jake for more than a year and am impressed by his capabilities, caring, and follow-up. I would have no concerns referring a matter to him knowing that he will provide exceptional service to the client."
"I endorse attorney Carlson. He is very passionate about the practice of law."
"Jake is a kind, hard working lawyer who is interested in helping others. He puts his best effort into all matters."
"Jake is great to work with - very knowledgeable, practical and upbeat. I heartily recommend him!"
"Jake is unique for his combination of intelligence, honesty and energy. He is a natural advocate and demonstrates amazing dedication to his work and the people who come to him for advice."
"I endorse this lawyer. Very talented and passionate in providing the best legal representation possible."
"Jake helped me manage my law firm when he worked for How to Manage a Small Law Firm. He is a good listener and gave me sound advice on the law firm management issues I was facing. I trust he will use those skills to manage his own firm and effectively serve his clients."
"I worked with Jake for a few months. He is not only a great advocate, but an amazing mentor."
"Jake has been Great at helping in matters where the families need to protect themselves and their assets quickly. Would work with again and refer families to him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Jake is a great attorney and would highly recommend."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Michael Brumbaugh
Elder law lawyer
Christopher Schmiedeke
Divorce and separation lawyer
Glen Malia
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Lena Clark
Estate planning lawyer
William Clanton
Consumer protection lawyer
Robert Boeshaar
Tax lawyer
Matthew Maddox
Criminal defense lawyer
Jorge Virguez
Personal injury lawyer
Alix Rubin
Employment and labor lawyer
Joshua Nelson
Elder law lawyer
Troy Werner
Estate planning lawyer
Christine Ferraris
Business lawyer
Matthew Palmer
Litigation lawyer
Soraya Martial-Wright
Elder law lawyer
Experience
Honors
2020
2020 Top Estate Planning Attorney, Arizona Magazine Top Attorneys - Estate Planning
2020
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA, Exit Planning Institute
2007
National Speakers Bureau, Boy Scouts of America
2007
Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers, Phoenix Business Journal
2005
Outstanding Case Award - MBA Thesis Project, San Diego State University
2002
Creative Problem-Solving Scholarship, California Western School of Law
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Principal, Owner, LifePlan Legal AZ, PLLC
2017 - 2019
Director of Member Progress, How to Manage a Small Law Firm
2010 - 2016
COO, Boy Scouts Of America
2005 - 2010
National Major Gifts Counsel, Boy Scouts Of America
Associations
2020 - Present
Exit Planning InstituteMember
2019 - Present
ElderCounselMember
2011 - 2014
ToastmasterMembership Committee
Sample of Legal Cases
Values-Based Estate Plan
Happy Family
Education
2005
California Western School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2005
San Diego State University
MBA - Master of Business Administration
2001
Brigham Young University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2019
Live Quarterly Meeting July 2019
The Law of Cause and Effect
2019
Live Quarterly Meeting January 2019
Success is 80/20: Mindset & Mechanics
2019
Live Quarterly Meeting April 2019
Lateral Thinking
2018
Live Quarterly Meeting October 2018
Success is a progressive realization
2018
Live Quarterly Meeting July 2018
Discovery Day - The Monk and The Riddle
2018
B7 Upgrade Diagnostic
6 things that only a law firm leader can (and must do)
2015
University of Scouting
When Tradition Meets Tomorrow
2015
SVMBC Board of Directors Retreat
Philanthrocapitalism: Philanthropy + Capitalism
2009
Phoenix Art Tour CLE
When Tradition Meets Tomorrow Art Tour
2009
Estate Planning CLE Luncheon
Tax Implications of Using Charitable Remainder/Lead Trusts
2007
CLE Attorney Luncheon
Tax Implications of Using Charitable Remainder/Lead Trusts
2006
Sequoia Council Board Meeting
Wills, Trusts & Estate Preservation
Publications
2017
2017
LinkedIn Publishing
Leadership is The Ability to Attract Talent | 8 Qualities of a Skillful Leader
2017
LinkedIn Publishing
The Messy Middle Comes Before Goal Success
2017
LinkedIn Publishing
The Chinese Bamboo | 5 Secrets to Massive Personal Growth
2017
2017
LinkedIn Publishing
The Fatal Major Gift Strategy Flaw: Avoiding the Funding Death Spiral
Languages
English
Filipino
Tagalog