$ 500-750 per hour
Eliz C A Johnson
About Eliz
Biography
I am the Daughter of an attorney and knew that this is what I always wanted to do. I made a point to get an LL.M in Taxation after my law degree to better understand the various tax implications of estate planning and law. I volunteer for the terminally ill in estate planning and tax matters and have for a few groups for 23 years or more. One of my cases involved a wretched case of Elder Abuse and I pursued it for 7 years, 1997-2005. I took it personally and stood up for Harold because no one else would. Elder Abuse is pernicious and not to be tolerated. In addition, I work with Special Needs Trusts to protect potential assets of those with special needs. It is a big part of what motivates me.
I was raised in San Francisco but went to High School here in Danville, where I now live with my family. I have listed some litigation cases to show my general experience but they were cases that were filed so were public record. On the other hand, my estate planning clients are very important to me. Their privacy and confidentiality are critical to me so you will not see me list the many cases or estate plans I have done because I will not 'name names' for better publicity or scores. Their privacy, like yours, is more important.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
90%
35 years | 150 cases
Tax
10%
35 years | 25 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 34 years
State: California
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Location
Eliz C A Johnson
939 Hartz Way, Suite 105, Danville, CA, 94526
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Eliz C A Johnson's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
125 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (125)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Tax
Posted by Jill | March 23, 2015 | Tax
estate planning
Elizabeth assisted us with our estate planning and our experience was extremely positive. We found Elizabeth both knowledgeable and professional in all areas of the planning process. She was insightful in her suggestions for our needs and innovative in her ideas for what would be the best plan for ...
Posted by Mister | November 15, 2013 | Tax
Poor communication skills
I was referred to miss Johnson through a community organization for a tax issue. She asked me to fill out a POA form and mail it to her. 4 days later I followed up with her, at which time she claimed to never have received it. In the interim she asked for me to resend the form and for a letter expla...
Eliz Johnson
Replied last November 17, 2013This client was not forthcoming with all the facts to me but seems comfortable disclosing his own private facts in a public forum and using it to attack me so I reluctantly respond to defend myself against this libel. The information I received from the referring agency was not what he provided to me. The facts as I was lead to believe they were required a different path than the tunnel vision approach of this person, going along only the limited path he was willing to discuss, and was inappropriate. I have helped this anonymous agency over 20 years, helping diligently one client in particular over 3 years, pro bono, because he needed my help and I could give it. It has nothing to do with 'guilt' or to assuage anything. That is demeaning to all the people who volunteer their time to help those in need. I do this because I can. This writer is a symptom of a new entitlement mentality that I am sad to see. "Give me", "do for me", "if you don't jump as high as I demand, I will write you a petty bad review in a public forum", going out of his way to cause me whatever self-perceived harm he could. It is egocentric and childish. It is 'the World owes me because I am sick or disabled....', or whatever, thinking. At the very, very initial stages of fact gathering, having given him several chances to fully disclose the situation a form letter could not, he had a hissy fit. There is no reason I need to continue to work for any client, paying or not, when there is such rudeness or a break down in communication. His unrealistic expectation of entitlement is offensive and really takes away from the very many people who need help and because of people like him, or the drama queens of the World, there will be fewer volunteers there to help. In my many years of working, I have been able to work as a team with various clients to resolve issues that could have had devastating consequences to their daily lives. Most of the many people I have worked with by this type of referral over the many years I have done the work have been honest, decent and delightful people to work with. It would, I suppose, be too much to expect them all to be. I was just unfortunate enough to find a person on the other side of that spectrum who also turns out to be vindictive. And he spews forth his anger at life, his entitlement thinking and his pettiness here. Sad thing to see.
Eliz C A Johnson's Lawyer Endorsements
"Unparalleled understanding of this field of law, Elizabeth is top notch in fully grasping the needs of the client in managing their estate planning and probate legal issues. I've been practicing for over 38 years and I have not met anyone more capable in this area of law. I unequivocally recommend Elizabeth for all of your estate planning needs."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Through her thousands of answers to questions on Avvo, Attorney Johnson has demonstrated not only a keen legal intellect, but also the ability to provide helpful, practical guidance. Her passion and caring is also evident in the time that she takes to not only provide AN answer, but invariably, the RIGHT answer for the asker's needs. I heartily endorse Attorney Johnson as an outstanding attorney and a tremendous resource for the Avvo community! James Frederick"
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Eliz demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of estate planning, coupled with a human understanding of family dynamics and a professional style."
"I am impressed with the answers Ms. Johnson has given on Avvo, her insight into the issues behind the questions is clear. If I needed to refer a client to an attorney in CA, it would be to her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Johnson is an outstanding attorney with a wonderful reputation, she is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have been very impressed with Ms. Johnson's replies to the AVVO readership. She is truly a knowledgeable lawyer that is willing to share her expertize with those that are looking for answers in a confusing and stressful legal world. Keep up your good work and advice."
"I endorse this very capable and caring lawyer. Her comments and responses here at Avvo show great depth of knowledge, experience and compassion. She really thinks through the question giving comprehensive answers and real insight. She is the type of attorney that clients can depend on and feel confident that she will work diligently to get the best result for them and their family."
"I endorse this lawyer. This world needs more lawyers with the courage to "tell it like it is" in a plain & direct way so that people will stop "shooting themselves in the foot" by trying to outsmart the legal system. Kudos!"
"I endorse this lawyer. I have seen now literally hundreds of answers she has provided in response to postings here on avvo and have been impressed with her breadth of knowledge and her ability to apply legal principles to a myriad of fact patterns. Through it all, her humanity and concern is clear. An attorney who knows her stuff, as Ms. Johnson clearly does, and mixes that ability with caring and compassion is worth her weight in gold."
"I have know Elizabeth since law school. She's smart, a good listener, practical and clever. She will not steer you wrong and you will not find a kinder more compassionate attorney no matter where or how long you look."
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Experience
Honors
2020
Affiliate of the Year, Contra Costa Association of Realtors
2019
Affiliate of the Year, RMA
2017
Peg DesLaureir, RMA
2015
Notable Networker Award [Referrals], Business by Design
2015
Notable Networker Award [CEU], BNI Business by Design
2012
HERO AWARD, 20 Year Volunteer Hero Award
2007
Volunteer of the Year, Friends of the Danville Library
2006
15 year Certificate, AIDS Legal Referral Panel
1987
AMJUR award, Golden Gate University SOL
1986
AMJUR award, Golden Gate University SOL
1986
AMJUR award, Golden Gate University SOL
Work Experience
2009 - Present
Managing Partner, JOHNSON LAW FIRM
1992 - 2009
Managing Partner, LEWIS & JOHNSON
Associations
2015 - Present
Danville Police Citizen's AcademyCitizen Participant
2014 - Present
Realtor's Marketing AssociationMember
2014 - Present
Estate and Gift tax committeeRPTE Section of the ABA
2014 - Present
Uniform Law CommissionObserver
2014 - Present
BNIFounding Member of Chapter
2003 - Present
Contra Costa County Bar AssociationAttorney Member
1993 - Present
State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates SectionAttorney Member
1993 - Present
United States Tax Court;Admitted to Practice
1992 - Present
AIDS Legal Referral PanelAttorney Member
1992 - Present
American Bar AssociationAttorney Member
1991 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaAttorney Member
1991 - Present
United States District Court of California [Northern District]Admitted to Practice
2018 - 2019
Real Estate Marketing AssociationVice President
2018 - 2020
Realtors Marketing Association [RMA]Vice President
1994 - 1998
American Cancer Society referral panelAttorney
1993 - 1998
Ted Mann Resource Center referral panelAttorney
1993 - 1998
Women Tax LawyersMember
1991 - 1998
Queen's BenchAttorney Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Rodrigues v Best Buy
$1,850,000, private mediation
John R. Ulrich, Jr. v. City and County of San Francisco,
Federal Jury verdict of $4.3 million after 4 hours of deliberation
Confidential Settlement
Settled in private mediation for $750,000
Schneider v. Gardner, Goodney Docket Number C98-05195
$612,500.00
Confidential Settlement E011306
Settled in private mediation for $150,000
Dorame v Owens Valley Unified School District
$125,000.00
DeJong v Confidential Employer
$125,000.00
Spear v. CSAA, 2 Cal.4th 1035
California Supreme Court decision for our client
Education
1993
Golden Gate University
LL.M - Master of Laws [Taxation]
N/A
Golden Gate Univ SOL
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
California St Univ Hayward
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
Senior Buzz Session
Wills, Trust, Advance Directives and Powers of Atrtorney
2015
Realtor's Marketing Association
Real Property and Estate Planning
2015
Monday Meetings
Real Property and Estate Planning
2015
Century 21
Real Property and Estate Planning
2015
Business by Design
Basics of Estate Planning
2014
What is Elder Abuse?
What Can I do to Stop it
2014
Wellness Fair 2014
Elder Care Issues and Estate Planning
2014
Estate Planning Update
Estate Planning and Refinancing
2013
All You Need to Know
Estate Planning Seminar
2010
Wellness Conference
Estate Planning Updates
1995
“Rights of the Disabled under the ADA”
Rights of the Disabled under the ADA
1994
“Insights into Cancer” Series
Employment rights for cancer survivors
1994
ADA and FEHA in employment discrimination
ADA and FEHA in employment discrimination
Publications
2015
Johnson Law Firm website
What is a Conservatorship?
2015
Johnson Law Firm website
What Exactly is Proposition 13
2015
Johnson Law Firm website
Great News for the Terminally Ill
2015
Johnson Law Firm website
Intestate Succession Hazards
2015
Johnson Law Firm website
Advance Directives: The Haves and Have Nots
2015
Johnson Law Firm website
Best Place to Keep Estate Planning Documents?
2015
Johnson Law Firm website
Who Ya Gonna Call? Elder Resources
2015
LinkedIN
What is the Big Deal About Probate
2015
Johnson Law Firm website
Keeping Your Powers of Attorney Current
2015
LinkedIN
Bloom County is Back!
2015
2015
Johnson Law Firm website
Are you Legally Responsible for your Parents' Debt
2014
Website
In Case of Death List
2013
Website
Revoking the Irrevocable Trust
2013
Website
What is Elder Abuse
2013
Website
Planning for Animal Care
2013
Website
Estate Planning for Same Sex Couples
2013
Website
D.O.M.A. IS DEAD
2013
Website
Prepaid Funeral Plans
2013
Website
Estate Tax Exemption "Portability": Is it right for you?
2013
Website
The Estate Tax Exclusion Amount: It is "Permanent" only as long as they say it is!
2012
Website
The Clock is Ticking: The tax law is set to change in a radical way and opportunities may cease to existat midnight on December 31, 2012.
2012
Website
Same Sex Estate Planning
2011
2010
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
My grandmother’s trust grants me a specific gift of $10,000. Can I get it before the trust closes?
07 May 2019
Q&A
Can you evict tenant for lying on rental application about an eviction?
09 Jul 2013
Q&A
Can I file a suit against my tax preparer for all and any money he has cost me due to filing late or not filing at all?
17 Jun 2013