Gerard W. O'Brien & Associates, P.C.2878 E. Imperial HighwayBrea, CA, 92821-6147United States (714) 396-0108 (714) 985-9025

Gerard William O'Brien

also known as Jerry O'Brien

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4.9(16)

Avvo Rating8.9

Brea, CA
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Licensed for 30 years

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About Gerard

Gerard W. O'Brien, or Jerry O'Brien as he is more commonly known, is a California licensed attorney who began practice in June, 1991.

Jerry earned a Bachelor's Degree in History at Brooklyn College in 1979. During his education he had the privilege of studying with Professor Edwin Burrows, Pulitzer Prize winning author of “GOTHAM.”

After graduating from Brooklyn College Jerry went into the culinary arts field, cooking professionally in New York City, Paris France, and Orange County, California.

In 1980 Jerry participated in the New York Restaurant School's Culinary Arts Program. Two days after finishing the program, Jerry went to France to work as Chef of the MacAdam Restaurant in Paris, where he spent all of 1981. Returning to the USA, Jerry cooked in both New York City and Orange County California.

Jerry created the Parties by Panache Web Site, which gets about 16,000 visits per month and published "The Panache Experience", which until the end of 2007; the Panache Experience ran for 37 issues.

Jerry has written two novels, “The Sweet Water”, and “A Field Guide to the Angels in Brooklyn”. He is currently seeking publication of “A Field Guide to the Angels in Brooklyn” . Jerry published the critically acclaimed “O'Brien's Literary Speculator”.

Jerry completed a certificate program in fiction writing at Cal State Fullerton. Mr. O'Brien has over twenty five interviews, articles, and reviews published onwww.Jazzreview.com.

Pertaining to the practice of law:
In 1987 Jerry began Law School at Western State University, College of Law from which he graduated in the top quarter of his class in 1990. Jerry won an AmJur award for Bankruptcy and placed first in his class in Community Property. Mr. O'Brien conducted a solo legal practice in Brea, CA from 1991 to 2000, at which point he went in-house at his family's business Parties By Panache, Inc. While counsel at Parties by Panache Jerry undertook several projects relating to marketing in addition to over seeing contracts, corporate, employment law matters.

Member of the California State Bar Association

- Trust and Estates Section
- Business Law Section

Member of the Orange County Bar Association

- Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section
- Tax Law
- Trusts and Estates

Member of Wealth Counsel, LLC

- Mr. O'Brien teaches a course on Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer for Financial Professionals

Practice areas

Trusts: 40%
I am a member of Wealth Counsel. I write many different types of trust for clients, often as part of their overall estate plan. I regularly review what I have written with my client's to make certain client's plans are current and will be effective. Trusts are an integral part of my Business succession planning practice and elder law practice.
31 years, 100 cases
Business: 20%
Business succession planning for small business owners who want to keep the business in the family. This dynamic process emphasizes multi-generational business survival and continuation of the founders business and ethical vision. I have written a chapter in CEB's new title "Business Succession Planning: Strategies for California Estate Planners & Business Attorneys." I have just published an article on overcoming liquidity problems, upcoming an article on Discharge of Debt Taxation
31 years, 5 cases
Elder law: 20%
16 years, 20 cases
Probate: 20%
26 years, 40 cases

Languages spoken

English, Dutch, French

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Gerard W. O'Brien & Associates, P.C.

2878 E. Imperial Highway
Brea, CA, 92821-6147

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2878 E. Imperial Highway
Brea, CA, 92821

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License

State	Status	Acquired	Updated
CA	Active	1991	02/06/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Avvo Contributions

Legal answers	1971
Legal guides	28

Awards

Award name	Grantor	Date Granted
Preeminent 4.9 out of 5	Martindale-Hubbell	2014
American Jurisprudence Bankruptcy	Bancroft-Whitney	1990
Dean's Scholarship	Western State College of Law	1987
Regents Scholarship	Regents of the State of New York	1974

work experience

Title	Company name	Duration
Owner	Brea Estate and Financial Law	1992 - 2000

associations

Association name	Position name	Duration
Wealth Counsel	Member	2007 - Present
Orange County Bar Association	member	1995 - Present

publications

Publication name	Title	Date
Business Succession Planning	Identifying Client’s Goals and Prospective Transferees	2010

education

School name	Degree	Graduated
Western State University College of Law	Juris Doctor	1990
Brooklyn College	BA - Bachelor of Arts	1979

speaking engagements

Conference name	Title	Date
Meeting of the Business Connection Brea	Business Succession Planning	2010
Meeting of BNI Prospector's	Small Business Bankruptcy	2010

legal cases

Case name	Outcome
Nabuke vs. North County Bancorp	Plaintiff took nothing at trial

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Reviews

5.0 stars4.9 (16)

5 Star		94%
4 Star		0%
3 Star		6%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Review Gerard William O'Brien

Informative Quick Response

5.0 stars

Posted by Shelby
June 1, 2019

Mr. O'Brien took the time to give me the exact answer I needed to my question, which most lawyers won't do. He responded quickly and efficiently - he is obviously fluent in probate law. I didn't realize I was located so far from him. If you are looking for a personable attorney who cares enough to take time out of his busy day to make sure you get what you need, Mr. Obrien's the one.

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Consulted attorney

Gerard W. O'brien

5.0 stars

Posted by Aram
May 31, 2016

As part owner of a poker casino here in Los Angeles, I needed an attorney that handled my living trust and will. Mr. O'brien was found on google, in Brea, he was perfect. Not only has he helped update my Revocable Trust, he has extended his services by helping me with my trust application and renewal of my license with the Dept. of Justice and Bureau of Gambling Control. He also represented me in court for a speeding ticket. I highly recommend Gerard W. O'brien for Legal Services...

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

Trustworthy and Honest

5.0 stars

Posted by Eva
April 26, 2016

Mr. O'Brien has helped us establish family trusts. I have found him very knowledgeable. He provides an excellent explanation on complicated matters. Mr. O'Brien and his staff are quick in answering questions and concerns. He shares empathy and provides professional advice. I feel comfortable to recommend him to my friends and family.

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

Great Experience

5.0 stars

Posted by Michael
April 19, 2016

Gerard was a pleasure to work with and provided us with all of the information and guidance needed to successfully complete our trust. We would highly recommend his services!

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

Amazing Attorney

5.0 stars

Posted by Jami
August 11, 2014

I hired Gerard W. O’Brien in 2011 for a Chapter Eleven bankruptcy proceeding. He guided us through the process, was easy to work with and was able to get a plan confirmed. We are well on our way back to financial stability and success. I feel he was a great value and I would hire him again.

help with my parents' care

5.0 stars

Posted by Michael
July 5, 2014

My parents hired Gerard W. O’Brien in 2001 for a revocable living trust-based estate plan. Last year my parents began to need a great deal of care and I and my two siblings went to see Mr. O’Brien about using the estate plan to provide for and protect our parents. He guided us through the process, was clear and easy to work with, and we have been able to take care of Mom and Dad and sell their home so we have resources for their care. We are still working on our parent’s estate and Mr. O’Brien makes himself available quickly when I need advice on the proceedings. I feel his work was and is of great value and I would hire him again. Michael Sweeney.

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
February 24, 2011

Asked Gerard to reveiw our family trust. Met him as part of a networking group. Gerard met with my father and mother to handle a case with properties, grandkids, special needs dependent and other concerns. Gerarad handled our case professionally. My parents felt they delt with a lawyer they could trust, and a lawyer who would be availalble to help after they are gone. Gave them a sense of relief for their handicapped daugher. In addition, they were very satisfied with the fee's. Expected to pay much more. (Didnt tell Gerard)

5.0 stars

Posted by Diana
August 16, 2010

I found Mr. O'Brien very comfortable to talk to. He was professional yet personal and even went the extra mile to help me during an emotional time. He was recommended to me by a trustworthy business friend and I would recommend him to anyone needing assistance.

I recommend Mr. O'Brien

5.0 stars

Posted by Henry
June 30, 2010

I would highly recommend Mr O'Brien to be your Lawyer. He effectively handled my case and gave it the attention that it needed. I have used him twice: once for a business partnership that dissolved and again when I was wrongfully sued over an airplane that I did not own. In both instances the matters were resolved very professionally. Mr. O'Brien is is a good, ethical Attorney with high standards and integrity. If you are even considering seeking legal advice or help, please call Mr. O'Brien. Dr. Henry Cardenas

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
June 9, 2010

While in-house counsel for my company, Jerry took care of many issues : client contracts, landlord-tenant, tax, employment/labor, immigration, and insurance. All the work Jerry did for my company was done very efficiently and in a timely manner. He explained everything to me in terms I could understand. I would highly recommend him for any legal work needed for a small company.

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Attorney endorsements

(29)

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Raymond Areshenko, Trusts Attorney on Mar 20, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Sarah Condor-Fisher, Business Attorney on Jan 13, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Attorney O'Brian is an excellent business attorney with an eye for detail and sharp mind that invariably attacks the most important issues in the inquiry and explains all legal ramifications in a brief, yet facile and understandable English, grounded firmly in law and supported by evidence presented in the case. Great attorney!

Raymond Areshenko, Trusts Attorney on Mar 20, 2018
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I endorse this lawyer.

Sarah Condor-Fisher, Business Attorney on Jan 13, 2017
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Jacob Mason, Unknown Attorney on Jan 24, 2015
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I endorse this lawyer.

Ali Yousefi, Unknown Attorney on Jan 22, 2015
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer.

Alexander Knapp, Business Attorney on Jan 20, 2015
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer.

Judd Nemiro, Unknown Attorney on Jan 20, 2015
Relationship: Other

This lawyer is highly recommended in the community. I endorse this lawyer.

Oleg Otten, Trusts Attorney on Jan 19, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer for his hard work and willingness to provide free advice to those in need.

Alvin Lee, Wills and living wills Attorney on Jan 16, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

The answers that Mr. O'Brien have provided have been accurate, thoughtful, and tailored to the needs of the Avvo asker. This attorney demonstrates the ideal qualities every client should look for when hiring an attorney.

Robert von Dohlen, Business Attorney on Jan 14, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Sean Cleary, Chapter 11 bankruptcy Attorney on Dec 20, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community.

Aryan Aliakbarzadeh, Business Attorney on Oct 31, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. He is a highly respected member of the legal community.

Sean Green, Estate planning Attorney on Oct 17, 2014
Relationship: Other

Comprehensive, knowledgeable, and thorough. I endorse this lawyer.

Lilian Demonteverde-Hoats, Chapter 11 bankruptcy Attorney on Sep 16, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Shelley Elder, Unknown Attorney on Aug 11, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. From all social media resources it is clear that he is very knowledgeable in his practice areas. I would send my clients to him.

Sandra Kuhn, Chapter 7 bankruptcy Attorney on Aug 7, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Great contributor to our AVVO community!

Hovanes Margarian, Chapter 11 bankruptcy Attorney on Aug 7, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Kevin Spainhour, Business Attorney on Jul 7, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. His responses to questions posed by the public are always thoughtful, correct and on point.

Ivette Santaella, Trusts Attorney on Jul 6, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Attorney O'Brien gives of his expertise and time on AVVO answering questions. His responses are well thought out, responsive and shows his empathy for the asker.

James Shields, Estate planning Attorney on Jul 1, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. He is generous with his time. His responses to questions are insightful and helpful.

Kendall Coffman, Chapter 11 bankruptcy Attorney on Jun 30, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

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Sean Green
Christine James
Robert Von Esch
Candice Garcia
Sandra Kuhn
Alan Barnes
Eric Ridley
Joseph Pippen
Robert Bachman

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Cost

RATES

Hourly Rates $300-$350/hour

OTHER BILLING TYPES

Retainer Some attorneys require an upfront payment to secure their services before they begin their work.Sometimes

PAYMENT METHODS

Cash, Check, Credit Card

Gerard William O'Brien

About Gerard

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