Sheila-Marie Finklestein is the Principal Attorney at AHAVA Law, P.C. She practices exclusively in Trusts, Estates, and Probate.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Sheila-Marie was an elementary school science teacher with Teach for America, a clerk for the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Office, and served as an in-house counsel for a community hospital. These experiences taught her the importance of a well drafted and funded comprehensive estate plan. She helps clients with matters involving trusts, advance health care directive, trust administration, conservatorship, probate administration, etc.
Sheila-Marie serves on several community non profit boards, including the Orange County Women Lawyers Association, Orange County Jewish Bar Association, OCBA Veterans and Military Committee, and Veterans' Legal Institute. She also created and is the primary attorney for the VLI Estate Clinic, which provides pro bono estate services to service members and veterans.
She has received numerous accolades in appreciation of her charitbale service, including, the Proclamation Recognition from the City of Corona, Volunteer Recognition from the Orange County Bar Association, and recognition from the State of California for her work with Veterans.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | Active | 2011 | 02/06/2021 |
| Legal answers | 6 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2018 |
| Volunteer Recognition | Orange County Bar Association | 2017 |
| Recognition for Providing Pro Bono Services to Veterans | California State Senate - Sen. Janet Nguyen | 2016 |
| Recognition for Work With Veterans Legal Institute | U.S. House of Representatives - Rep. Mimi Walters | 2016 |
| Recognition for Work With Veterans Legal Institute | U.S. House of Representatives - Rep. Loretta Sanchez | 2016 |
| Volunteer Recognition | Orange County Bar Association | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Proclamation Recognition | City of Corona | 2015 |
| Volunteer Recognition | Orange County Bar Association | 2015 |
| Volunteer Recognition | Orange County Bar Association | 2014 |
| Third Year Service Award | Washington & Lee University School of Law | 2011 |
| Honor Advocate | Washington & Lee University | 2011 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC | 2015 - Present |
| Attorney | Estate Planning, Probate & Conservatorship | 2011 - Present |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County Jewish Bar Association | Secretary | 2015 - Present |
| Orange County Women Lawyers Association | Director | 2015 - Present |
| Orange County Young Trusts & Estates Attorneys - Lunch & Learn Founder | Director | 2015 - Present |
| SoCal BNI - Platinum Club | Vice President | 2015 - Present |
| Orange County Bar Association, Veterans & Military Committee | Vice Chair | 2015 - Present |
| Orange County Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section | Member | 2014 - Present |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County Bar Association, Solo Practitioner/Small Firm Section | Member | 2014 - Present |
| Orange County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division | Member | 2012 - Present |
| Orange County Bar Association | Military & Veteran Task Force | 2014 - 2015 |
| Orange County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division (Education Chair 2014) | Chair | 2013 - 2014 |
| Orange County Jewish Bar Association | Executive Committee | 2013 - 2015 |
| Orange County Women Lawyers Association | Member | 2012 - 2015 |
| Orange County Jewish Bar Association | Member | 2011 - 2013 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| American Bar Association GPSolo Magazine | Powers of Attorney | 2016 |
| American Bar Association GPSolo Magazine | Estate Planning for Old Age and Incapacity | 2015 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Washington and Lee University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2011 |
| University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law | International Law Student | 2010 |
| University of Nevada-Las Vegas | M.Ed. | 2008 |
| American University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2006 |
| Chapman University School of Law | LL.M - Master of Laws | N/A |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Keynote Speaker | Estate Planning for Individuals | 2017 |
| OCBA Veterans & Military Committee Seminar | How to become a VA Accredited Attorney | 2016 |
| OCBA Veterans Military Committee Open House & View from the Bench | Military Specific Laws & Protections | 2016 |
| Nuts & Bolts of Living Trusts | Revocable Living Trusts | 2016 |
| How & Why to Avoid Conservatorship | Conservatorships | 2016 |
| So you think you don't need an Advance Health Care Directive? Think Again! | Advance Health Care Directives & Estate Planning | 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Estate Planning in 10 Minutes | General Estate Planning | 2015 |
| The Status of Diversity in the Legal Community | Diversity in the Legal Field | 2014 |
| Why you need an Estate Plan: Avoid Probate | Avoid Probate | 2012 |
Posted by anonymous
Fri Sep 16 2016
Andrea Jakob, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 18, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Sheila-Marie is a wonderful attorney, knowledgeable, caring and charismatic. She is an absolute pleasure to work with and I fully recommend her for your Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate needs.
Crista Hermance, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 18, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Sheila-Marie is a brilliant attorney that always goes above and beyond. She is caring and is such an innovator in estate planning. She is a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend her to anyone needing to get their estate planning done.
I endorse this lawyer. She is a top-notch attorney who is highly respected among the legal community.
Chandra Moss, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 15, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Michelle Reynolds, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 27, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I met Sheila-Marie Finkelstein thanks to the Orange County Bar Association, an organization to which she constantly gives back. Her compassion and passion for helping people is immediately apparent not by her words, but through her actions. As a human being who puts not just her clients, but in general persons about herself, Sheila-Marie radiates professionalism. Because of this, I endorse this lawyer.
Carrie Block, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 25, 2015
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
I endorse this lawyer.
Ms. Finkelstein is a knowledgeable and compassionate advocate. I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse this lawyer.
Ronald Funk, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 20, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
Sheila-Marie is extremely smart and enthusiastic. I endorse this lawyer.
Kevin Matz, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 19, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Marie Braun, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 19, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Kathleen Keeley, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 5, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
A thorough and knowledgeable estate planning attorney.
Samantha McBride, Family Attorney on Nov 4, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Sharon Anderson, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 4, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Sheila-Marie Finkelstein is a compassionate, extremely knowledgeable attorney who genuinely cares about the well-being of her clients. I would whole-heartedly recommend her.
William Peacock, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 29, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I've known Sheila-Marie since the early days of law school, through bar review, and on through a few years of practice. She's caring, brilliant, and does her absolute best on every matter she handles. She's at the top of my referral list, not just because she's a dear friend, but because she's an excellent attorney as well.
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