Eliz C A Johnson

Eliz C A Johnson

5.0
Rating: 8.1

Licensed for 34 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Danville, CA
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Tax

939 Hartz Way, Suite 105, Danville, CA

About Eliz

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Estate Planning 90%

Estate Planning generally does not involve a "case", just making a plan. It becomes a "case" when not done properly or circumstances change, creating litigation.

35 years | 150 cases

90%
Tax 10%

I have represented tax payers in front of the IRS and FTB.

35 years | 25 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 500-750 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 34 years

State: California

Acquired: 1991

Active

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

5.0 /5.0

125 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (125) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 16 reviews | Compassion

Posted by Maryum Simpkins | December 22, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Handle with Care

I recently had the pleasure of utilizing a referral to Elizabeth Johnson at Johnson Law Firm for my family's trust that poured into estate planning and renewed Family Trust that's narrative in the capacity of future directives, and I couldn't be more relieved and honored with the experience. From our... very first meeting, Elizabeth demonstrated a deep understanding of estate law and took the time to explain every step of the process in a way that was clear and reassuring. She was incredibly thorough in assessing my needs and helped craft a comprehensive method tailored to understand each process easily. Her professionalism warm like family, attentive to detail, and genuine care for her clients truly set her apart. I especially appreciated how responsive she was to send reminders to crack the whip (in a great way) and when answering my questions she made what could have been a daunting process feel manageable and even empowering. If you're looking for someone who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and truly committed to protecting your legacy, I highly recommend Elizabeth and the team at Johnson Law Firm.

Posted by Alexis | December 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

An Excellent Attorney

Two generations of my family have worked with Elizabeth Johnson, and I would wholeheartedly recommend her. I hired Elizabeth to help create my will and trust after the passing of my mother, who had also worked with her for the same services. Elizabeth was not only highly professional--breaking dow...n complex legal matters into a clear and straightforward process--but also genuinely compassionate during a very difficult time. Beyond her excellent legal work, she paid close attention to the human side of the process by checking in on me, helping keep me on track, and connecting me with other professionals to ensure my family's interests were fully protected. I plan to continue working with Elizabeth for any future estate planning needs and would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone seeking a knowledgeable, caring, and dedicated trusts and estates attorney. I am truly grateful for her hard work and support.

Posted by LeAnn | December 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Best Choice for Estate Planning

Elizabeth is terrific! She is very professional and very skilled at what she does. She has great patience and understanding and takes great steps to be sure her clients understand the intricacies of the estate plan she has helped them to establish. When setting up my will and trust Elizabeth brought ...forth questions I never would have thought to consider; she leaves no stone unturned and helped me to develop a solid estate plan. Highly recommend her!

Posted by Catherine | July 10, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Highly Recommend

I have worked with Elizabeth Johnson for many years and her attention to detail and clear understanding of Estate Planning never ceases to amaze me. Recently, I found myself in probate court and needed to urgently update my estate plan. Elizabeth sprang into action and was able to work quickly and ef...ficiently. Elizabeth clearly has an impressive depth of knowledge in Estate Planning and was able to explain every step clearly and concisely. Her ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear and understandable terms is truly commendable. What impressed me the most was the professionalism and poise she showed when discussing the harder topics such as what to do in the event of my demise. Elizabeth was there to listen with compassion, and I am confident she was able to translate my wishes into the necessary legal documents. Throughout the entire process Elizabeth demonstrated exceptional professionalism and responsiveness. Her patience and willingness to address any concerns I had were invaluable, allowing me to make informed decisions with clarity and confidence. Having a professional of her caliber in my corner has given me a sense of peace and calm during a tumultuous time. I would highly recommend Elizabeth Johnson for anyone in need of estate planning services.

Posted by Vandana | August 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Exceptional and caring provider

Words cannot express the gratitude I have for Elizabeth. She helped me through a very emotional period in my life with the loss of both of my parents and family issues in managing my parent’s estate. I was stuck in a very difficult situation in managing my parents estate matters and at the risk of l...osing their estate to probate. My parents were immigrants and tried their very best in protecting their estate. They relied a lot on family and friends on their estate matters and made some changes that were not in alignment with their wishes or the courts. There were lots of loose ends in their estate planning during initial creation resulting in a troubling estate situation where after months of fighting with courts and failing, I was at risk of having probate involved, and losing a buyer for their house. I was referred to Elizabeth for a second opinion and what had taking months in the courts with no response, took only a day with Elizabeth. She accepted my case and got the courts to support and validated my parent’s estate and avoid probate. In addition, she was a great sounding board on helping me with the addressing and compartmentalizing emotional matters with the family and navigating through the challenges. Elizabeth is truly exceptional knows estate planning and mitigation plans for challenges for each situation very well. To ensure my children never go through what I had to go through she also developed our family trust and educated us on the various aspects of trust planning in ensuring our wishes were well documented. I have complete faith and trust that my family is great hands should anything unfortunate would happen to either one of us and that our final wishes will be protected and implemented.

See All Client Reviews

Eliz C A Johnson's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Eliz
Arlene Dorothy Kock headshot
Arlene Kock

Estate planning lawyer | Jan 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Estate planning lawyer | Jul 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

James P. Frederick headshot
James Frederick

Estate planning lawyer | Sep 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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"

Russell Paul Nowell headshot
Russell Nowell

Estate planning lawyer | Oct 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Elizabeth Rankin Powell headshot
Elizabeth Powell

Estate planning lawyer | Jul 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Howard M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Estate planning lawyer | Jun 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Frank R Sariol headshot
Frank Sariol

Estate planning lawyer | Jun 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Steven J. Fromm headshot
Steven Fromm

Estate planning lawyer | Jun 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Dorothy G Bunce headshot
Dorothy Bunce

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Other

"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!"

Michael S. Haber headshot
Michael Haber

Estate planning lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Steven Leo Derby headshot
Steven Derby

Estate planning lawyer | Dec 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

View All Endorsements
Arlene Dorothy Kock headshot
Arlene Kock

Family lawyer

Elizabeth Rankin Powell headshot
Elizabeth Powell

Estate planning lawyer

Russell Paul Nowell headshot
Russell Nowell

Estate planning lawyer

James P. Frederick headshot
James Frederick

Estate planning lawyer

Susan E. Gregory headshot
Susan Gregory

Elder law lawyer

James Lee Hand headshot
James Hand

Contracts and agreements lawyer

Frank Wei-Hong Chen headshot
Frank Chen

Litigation lawyer

Steven J. Fromm headshot
Steven Fromm

Tax lawyer

Henry Daniel Lively headshot
Henry Lively

Tax lawyer

Michael S. Haber headshot
Michael Haber

Estate planning lawyer

James Brian Thomas headshot
James Thomas

Estate planning lawyer

John Thomas Payne headshot
John Payne

Insurance lawyer

Steven Leo Derby headshot
Steven Derby

Personal injury lawyer

Pieter Keith Williams headshot
Pieter Williams

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.1 (Excellent)

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 Academy

Citizen Participant

2014 - Present

Realtor's Marketing Association

Member

2014 - Present

Estate and Gift tax committee

RPTE Section of the ABA

2014 - Present

Uniform Law Commission

Observer

2014 - Present

BNI

Founding Member of Chapter

2003 - Present

Contra Costa County Bar Association

Attorney Member

1993 - Present

State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates Section

Attorney Member

1993 - Present

United States Tax Court;

Admitted to Practice

1992 - Present

AIDS Legal Referral Panel

Attorney Member

1992 - Present

American Bar Association

Attorney Member

1991 - Present

State Bar of California

Attorney Member

1991 - Present

United States District Court of California [Northern District]

Admitted to Practice

2018 - 2019

Real Estate Marketing Association

Vice President

2018 - 2020

Realtors Marketing Association [RMA]

Vice President

1994 - 1998

American Cancer Society referral panel

Attorney

1993 - 1998

Ted Mann Resource Center referral panel

Attorney

1993 - 1998

Women Tax Lawyers

Member

1991 - 1998

Queen's Bench

Attorney 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

See More Legal Cases

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

2015

2015

Johnson Law Firm website Who Ya Gonna Call? Elder Resources

2015

Johnson Law Firm website Keeping Your Powers of Attorney Current

2015

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

Languages

English

Activity

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