- Home
- Find a Lawyer
- California
- Lakewood
- Estate Planning
- Sheila-Marie Finkelstein
Sheila-Marie Finkelstein
- Lakewood, CA
- Licensed for 8 years
- Free consultation
About Sheila-Marie
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
Contact
AHAVA Law, PC
4299 MacArthur Blvd
Suite 211
Newport Beach, CA, 90712
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | Active | 2011 | 11/04/2019 |
| 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 |
She saved my grandma's estate.
Posted by anonymous
Fri Sep 16 2016
Attorney endorsements
(13)Ross Russell, Arbitration Attorney on Apr 18, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She is a top-notch attorney who is highly respected among the legal community.
Chandra Moss, Family Attorney on Jan 16, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Michelle Reynolds, Employment and labor Attorney on Nov 28, 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, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 26, 2015
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
I endorse this lawyer.
Mary Melech, Government Attorney on Nov 20, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Finkelstein is a knowledgeable and compassionate advocate. I endorse this lawyer.
Elisabeth Lord, Family Attorney on Nov 20, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Ronald Funk, Appeals Attorney on Nov 20, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
Sheila-Marie is extremely smart and enthusiastic. I endorse this lawyer.
Kevin Matz, Trusts Attorney on Nov 20, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Marie Braun, Family Attorney on Nov 19, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Kathleen Keeley, Divorce and separation 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, Guardianship 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 30, 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.
Cost
- Hourly Rates$300-$350/hour
- Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs30 minutes
Cash, Check, Credit Card
Related lawyers near you
Avvo Rating
Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.
What determines Avvo Rating?
Experience & background
Years licensed, work experience, education
Legal community recognition
Peer endorsements, associations, awards
Legal thought leadership
Publications, speaking engagements
Discipline
Avvo Rating levels
- 10.0 - 9.0 Superb
- 8.9 - 8.0 Excellent
- 7.9 - 7.0 Very Good
- 6.9 - 6.0 Good
- 5.9 - 5.0 Average
- 4.9 - 4.0 Concern
- 3.9 - 3.0 Caution
- 2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution
- 1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution