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Paula Ann Clarkson
also known as Paula, Clarkson Chamberlain
About Paula
Biography
I am a different type of estate planning attorney. In 2012 I was certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialists as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law. This is a credential only bestowed on a small percentage of California Estate Planning attorneys. I also have my LL.M. in Taxation which allows me to spot and assist with tax issues related to estate plans.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
30%
27 years
Probate
30%
27 years
Trusts
20%
27 years
Wills and Living Wills
20%
27 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 27 years
State: California
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Location
Merhab Robinson, Jackson, and Clarkson, A Professional Corporation
1551 N. Tustin Ave., Suite 1020, Santa Ana, CA, 92705
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Paula Ann Clarkson's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Blake | April 3, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Top-notch Attorney for a Reason
Paula was recommend by my uncle. I enthusiastically echo her other reviews. I had recently lost my mother & I needed Paula's advice on mom's living trust. I also needed someone to handle trust administration. After our consultation, I hired her. Paula is beyond knowledgeable about complex estate m...
Posted by Richard | May 4, 2011
Excellent use of all Estate Planning tools, great client personality!!!!!!
Worked with Paula over the years and have seen her range of knowledge; from fielding questions with a roomful of elder students, to comforting a client with answers and expainations in boardroom during a client signing. She handles both sides of Estate Planning with grace and professionalism. Her d...
Posted by Stacey M. | May 4, 2011
Knowledgeable
Paula Clarkson is an excellent Estate Planning attorney. She handled our Family Trust and took the time to explain the entire Trust process to me. I felt comfortable and well informed from start to finish. She is friendly and knowledgeable in her area of expertise, answering all my questions in a ...
Posted by Beth | April 19, 2011
Co-Counsel with Paula Clarkson
I am an attorney who has worked with Paula Clarkson on joint matters. Paula is very knowledgabe and has a great bedside manner. I would recommend working with Paula to clients and other attorneyes. She is very hands on. When you call Paula, she will call you back. If you send a referral to Paula...
Posted by anonymous | May 7, 2010
Highly Recommended Lawyer!
I've known Paula for several years. Her work is well-prepared and she is very responsive with any questions I've had regarding trusts. I'd recommend her to my friends/family in a second!
Paula Ann Clarkson's Lawyer Endorsements
"I strongly endorse attorney Clarkson. She's a lawyer who cares about her clients and makes sure that she maintains contact with them long after their initial estate planing has been completed. She continues to improve and update systems that insure her client's estate plans stay up to date and continue to meet their changing needs."
"Paula is our firm's go-to lawyer for any complex or difficult estate planning matters. She is very knowledgeable and experienced in the field, and provides top quality legal services. Paula also interacts well with clients, especially those in difficult personal circumstances. She has my highest recommendation."
"I highly endorse Paula. Paula is an extremely competent and compassionate attorney devoted to top notch client representation. She is a knowledgeable and zealous advocate and I would highly recommend any of my clients in need of good, solid estate planning advice to Paula."
"Paula is an outstanding estate planning attorney. She is very well respected by her peers and clients. I have referred several clients to Paula and all of them have raved about her."
"Paula has an amazing understanding of complex estate planning techniques! If sophistication, talent, and knowledge is what you seek, Paula Clarkson is your attorney!"
"Paula is a knowledgeable and effective advocate for her clients. She can always be counted on to go the extra mile to get the job done. I highly recommend her."
"Paula is extremely competent, thorough and follows through on all her work. She puts clients interests first and will go the extra mile. I fully endorse her."
"Paula's knowlege in the Trusts & Estates field is impressive. But with Paula, you get more than just a bright attorney, Paula also really cares about her clients and their goals."
"Paula is the go to person when attorney's have a question regarding estate planning or trust administration. She thoroughly understands this area of law. I have served on the OCBA Trusts & Estates board with her. I have seen her dedication, hard-work, and professionalism. I highly recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Paula provides her clients with top level service. She is extremely knowledgeable and professional. Paula's clients love her for her quality of work and care that she puts into her work for them."
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Experience
Honors
2015
2015 Super Lawyer Estate Planning, Super Lawyers Magazine
2015
Nominee - 2015 Women in Business, Orange County Business Journal
2014
OC Metro Registers Top Attorneys Estate Planning, OC Metro Magazine
2013
OC Register's Metro's Top Attorneys for 2013, Avvo
2012
Southern California Super LawyersRising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2012
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Law, State Bar of California Board of Specialization
2011
Southern California Super Lawyers - Rising Star, Los Angeles Magazine
2010
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2002
Masters of Laws in Taxation, Golden Gate University School of Law
2002
LL.M. Masters of Law in Taxation, Golden Gate University School of Law
1997
Tax Law Society President, Southwerstern University School of Law
1995
Honors in Economics and Business Administration, Califnornia State University San Bernardino
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Estate Planning Partner, Merhab Robinson, Jackson, and Clarkson, A Professional Corporation
2009 - 2013
Trust, Tax, & Estate Planning Attorney, Brown & Streza, LLP
2008 - 2009
Trust Administration & Estate Planning Attorney, Freeman, Freeman & Smiley, LLP
2002 - 2008
Probate, Trust, & Estate Planning Attorney, Ferruzzo & Ferruzzo, LLP
1998 - 2002
Attorney/Tax Senior Associate, Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Associations
2014 - Present
Friends of Girl Scouts TrustTrustee
2010 - Present
ProVisorsMember
2009 - Present
Wealth CounselMember
2008 - Present
Orange County Bar Association - Trust and Estates SectionMember at Large
2007 - Present
Mariner's ChurchMember
1998 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2012 - 2016
Girl Scouts of AmericaTroop Leader
2010 - 2011
Partnership For Philathropic PlanningMember
2009 - 2016
Estate Planning CounselMember
2008 - 2009
Orange County Bar Association - Trust and Estates SectionSecretary
Sample of Legal Cases
Modification of an irrevocable trust
Court approval of modification
Education
2002
Golden Gate University School of Law
LL.M - Master of Laws
1998
Southwestern Univ SOL
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
California State University, San Bernardino
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1995
California State University, San Bernardino
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2013
CalCPA - Orange County/Long Beach Group
Funding the Subtrusts after the 1st Spouse's Death
2012
Laguna Beach Women's Club
Basic Estate Planning
2011
Orange County Society of CPAs
The New Estate Tax Law
2011
OC Bar Association - Trust and Estate Section
Issues related to Sub-Trust Funding
2011
Cal CPA North Orange County Division
The New Estate Tax Law
2010
South Orange County Estate Planning Counsel
Avoiding Litigation: Common Challenges To Estate Plans and Administration and How to Avoid Them
2010
CALCPA
Choosing a Trustee
2010
Brown & Streza LLP
Basics & Beyond of Estate Planning
2010
Basics & Beyond Living Trusts
Estate Planning
2009
National Business Institute
Advanced Estate Planning Techniques
2008
Orange County Bar Association Trust and Estates Section
Trust Administration
2008
National Business Institute
Probate Process From Start to Finish
Publications
2014
2013
Wealth Counsel Quarterly
Top 5 Mistakes When Naming Beneficiaries of Insurance Policies
2009
National Business Institute Seminar
Advanced Estate Planning Techniques
2006
National Business Institute Seminar
The Probate Process Start to Finish
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
A house is in a Calif. revokable trust. When the owner dies does the prop. 13 die also?
31 Oct 2009
Q&A
Inheritance questions
23 Jul 2009