$ 380-385 per hour
Ivette M Santaella
About Ivette
Biography
Practicing law and developing good lasting relationships with my clients is very important to me.
I was originally in house counsel at various corporations -- Sun MS, HP, Symantec - doing corporate business law.
When I left inhouse practice to care for my Mother full time who had Alzheimer's, I realized that I wanted to educate people on the importance of planning for their golden years and for their family.
Due to the high costs of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's, I became a long term care insurance specialist. I then changed my law focus to estate planning and elder law.
In addition to my practice, I welcome the opportunity to educate the public on the importance of planning for their golden years . I donate time to provide legal advice and education through the "Lawyers in the Library" program with my local bar association.
I now truly enjoy the practice of the law because I can see the results of the help I provide to my clients.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
45%
28 years | 200 cases
Elder Law
40%
17 years | 50 cases
Contracts and Agreements
5%
33 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 36 years
State: California
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Location
Santaella Legal Group, APC.
111 Deerwood Road, Suite 200, San Ramon, CA, 94583-4743
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Ivette M Santaella's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | February 27, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Did estate plan
Never made eye contact, worked quickly, did not follow instructions given, delivered a product I could not use. Many things were done incorrectly, even simple things.
Posted by anonymous | June 18, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent Attorney
Ivette helped me with a series of complex issues involving different areas of estate planning and elder law. She continues to work with me to help manage our case as issues arise. She is an expert in her field and has helped us move mountains! I am so thankful for her help.
Posted by Robert | June 25, 2018 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Retired Restaurant Owner / operator
She is a very fine and talented Attorney. She gave me great and solid advice on my legal issue. I recommend Ivette. she was very professional.
Posted by Patricia | March 3, 2014
Client review
Ivette Santaella is very personable and makes the entire process of creating an estate plan much easier. What I appreciated most was her willingness to help me through the pre-work, answering questions and making sure I was clear on the language and terms of the trust. I value her as a knowledgeabl...
Posted by Rex Ramsey | May 10, 2013
Client Satisfaction
Always response to reviewing contracts and agreements providing solid information providing me the opportunity to make informed decisions on risk and terms.
Ivette M Santaella's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Santaella provides a much needed service on Avvo. She donates her time to individuals who are in need of immediately legal answers."
"I have had the opportunity to get to know Ms. Santaella through various attorney related events in Northern California. She cares deeply for the elderly and is able to help them with their legal needs. Ms. Santaella is also an expert in estate planning and speaks Spanish, a huge plus. I would not hesitate to refer a client to her."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. Ms. Santaella is a well-regarded and driven attorney who has provided exceptional legal representation to numerous clients throughout the U.S. With her extensive knowledge, broad experience and impressive professional skills, she is bound to invest her time and energy into achieving the best outcome for each case, regardless of its level of complexity."
"I highly endorse Mrs. Santaella. Truly exceptional and caring attorney who achieves great results in representing clients! I really want all people to contact her for help."
"Ivette's response to inquiries are admirable and well informed. She is an obviously talented attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Nurturing, knowledgeable and talented attorney."
"I admire Ms. Santaella's contributions to this site and her timely responses to inquiries. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Santaella's legal knowledge is superb as evidence by her superb AVVO rating."
"One of the absolute best. Exceptional attention to detail, service next to none. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer for being an advocate for clients."
"Attorney Santaella has extensive experience. She is very knowledgeable and provides helpful information in her answers."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Santaella gives a lot of time to providing useful information to inquirers on AVVO. Her comments exude competence."
"I endorse this lawyer. Her answers to questions posed on this site show a broad level of experience and knowledge and a helpful attitude towards client issues."
"The answers that Ms. Santaella 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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Top notch lawyer in her field. Ivette is one of the best lawyers in the state. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have had the opportunity through the Avvo platform to interact with Ms. Santaella and see the advise she gives visitors to the site. She consistently provides clear and concise answers that are very helpful. She is a great member of the legal community."
"I not only endorse this lawyer. I give this lawyer 5 stars!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Practicing and endorsing diversity in the legal profession, Contra Costa Bar Association
2014
Top Contributor, AVVO
2003
Special Commendation, Sun Microsystems
1999
HP Diamond Award for Excellence, Hewlett Packard
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Managing Partner, Santaella & Jahangiri, LLP
2013 - Present
Managing Partner, Blackwell & Santaella Legal Services, LLP
2013 - 2013
Business Advisor, Small Business Development Corporation [SBDC]
2010 - 2013
Attorney at Law, Law Office of Ivette M. Santaella
2006 - 2007
Senior Corporate Counsel, Symantec Corporation
2000 - 2004
Senior Corporate Counsel, Sun Microsystems, Inc.
1999 - 2000
Contract Attorney, Hewlett Packard Company
Associations
2019 - Present
Collaborative LawMember
2018 - Present
Ombudsman of Contra Costa and Solano CountyBoard of Directors
2016 - Present
National Association of Elder Law AttorneysMember
2014 - Present
Small Business Enterprise CertifiedMember
2014 - Present
CANHRMember
2014 - Present
Contra Costa Senior Legal ServicesVolunteer Attorney
2014 - Present
Minority Business EnterpriseAffiliate Member
2013 - Present
East Bay Trust & Estates LawyerMember
2013 - Present
ElderCounselMember
2012 - Present
South Asian Bar Association of Northern California
2011 - Present
Department of Veteran's AffairsAttorney
2011 - Present
Advisors Forum
2011 - Present
Wealth Counsel
2010 - Present
Lawyer in the LibraryAttorney Member
2010 - Present
La Raza Bar Association
2010 - Present
Contra Costa County Bar Association, Solo Practice and Small Firm Section
2008 - Present
Contra Costa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerice
1989 - Present
State Bar of California
Education
2018
Community Board of San Francisco
Basic Mediation
2012
American College
ChSNC
1998
University of California at Irvine
MBA
1987
American University, Washington College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1978
Fordham Univ
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2018
Educating Seniors
Estate Planning and Elder Law
2014
Saratoga Senior Center
Estate Planning & Elder Abuse
2014
San Carlos Senior Center
Estate Planning & Elder Law
2014
San Carlos Adult Community Center
Elder Law
2014
North Berkeley Senior Center
Estate Planning
2014
Elder Law Presentation
Social Security, Medicare
2014
Danville Public Library
Elder Law & Estate Planning
2014
Commercial Leases
Commercial Leases
2014
Business Formation
Business Formation
2014
Beat the Clock MCLE Extravaganza
Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession
2013
Senior Friendship Day
Elder Financial Abuse
2013
Education Series
Elder Law Issues
2013
Education Series
Special Needs Trusts
2013
Educating Seniors Project of State Bar of CA
Estate Planning Matters and Avoiding Estate Planning Abuses
2013
East Bay Business Seminar: Advancing Manufacturing Companies
Business Law
2013
Continuing Education
Estate Planning
2013
Continuing Education
Estate Planning
2013
Community Presentation
Avoiding Estate Planning Pitfalls
2013
Community Event
Estate Planning & Elder Law
2013
ADVANCING MANUFACTURING COMPANIES
Business Formation & Succession Planning
Publications
2012
Contra Costa County Bar Association Magazine
Using Social Media For Your Law Office
Languages
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Is there a way to keep my elderly mom's house for me and use Medi-Cal if she needs long term care ?
04 Dec 2023
Q&A
Question about estate plans and guardian -
05 Dec 2023
Q&A
Guardianship without courts ? Do I have to go to the county where the mom has custody ?
06 Dec 2023