James Jackson Phillips

James Jackson Phillips

also known as Jim Phillips

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 45 years

Trusts Lawyer at Pleasanton, CA
Practice Areas: Trusts, Probate, Estate Planning

5700 Stoneridge Mall Road, Suite 340, Pleasanton, CA

About James

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Trusts 40%

Over 20 years as a certified specialist in probate, estate planning, and trust law. AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. LL.M. in taxation. Included in Northern California Super Lawyers. Offices in Pleasanton and Hayward. www.jamesjphillips.com

43 years

40%
Estate Planning 30%

Over 20 years as a certified specialist in probate, estate planning, and trust law. AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. LL.M. in taxation. Included in Northern California Super Lawyers. Offices in Pleasanton and Hayward. www.jamesjphillips.com

43 years

30%
Probate 30%

Over 20 years as a certified specialist in probate, estate planning, and trust law. AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. LL.M. in taxation. Included in Northern California Super Lawyers. Offices in Pleasanton and Hayward. www.jamesjphillips.com

43 years

30%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 45 years

State: California

Acquired: 1980

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Phillips & Phillips, A Professional Corporation

5700 Stoneridge Mall Road, Suite 340, Pleasanton, CA, 94588

Law Offices of Phillips & Phillips

2807 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA, 94546

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James Jackson Phillips's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

12 Client Reviews

5 star (12)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Gena | August 3, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Best experience during a horrible time

I was just dealing with the sudden impact of my father dying. When my siblings were fighting me on his remains being sent to me. I had no idea where to even begin. We werent fighting over money or assets. After contacting several lawyers and paralegals who left me frustrated and discouraged, i contac...ted Mr Phillips. The entire situation changed immediately. Needless to say things went in my favor. I hope to never be in this situation but if i know anyone who needs legal help within his scope i will definately send them his way. He is kind, smart, and definately knows what hes doing

Posted by Fred | June 7, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Phillips and Phillips - Outstanding

Our family experience (elderly parents and my wife and I) with Phillips and Phillips over the years has been outstanding. Jim, and now also Katelyn, have put together wills, guided overall estate planning, established trusts, and most recently provided expert support and advice upon the passing of m...y parents. Phillips and Phillips provided all these services in such a professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and efficient manner, that it made dealing with these matters easy. With all the legal requirements, paperwork, and bureaucratic detail, handling these items on our own would have been extremely difficult. Even with tremendous diligence, we undoubtedly would have made some serious errors with negative fiscal impact. Jim, Kaetlyn, and Donna were also caring and kind as they guided us through the difficult estate decisions required upon the passing of loved ones. We couldn’t be more satisfied and will continue to recommend Phillips and Phillips to anyone who might be in need of their services.

Posted by Dennis | September 13, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent Attorney

I have been a client of Jim Phillips for over 10 years. Jim helped my wife and me to get our estate planning in order. He took the time necessary to get to know us better and to understand what our future plans and goals were when creating our Wills, Trust, and other documents. He guided us throug...h the process, explaining in plain understandable terms what all the documents were about and offering thoughtful suggestions. He has since helped us to revise our documents as our life situations have changed over the years. I have always found Jim to meet the highest ethical standards. He is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Estate and Trust planning. I am also pleased the he has added his daughter Katelyn to his practice as it will add continuity to the practice for another generation to come. I highly recommend the firm of Phillips & Phillips to anyone in need of Estate and Trust Planning.

Posted by Roy | August 28, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Real Estate Broker

I have known personally, and been aware through others, of the stellar reputation of Mr. Phillips for over 20 years Mr. Phillips has not only prepared my family Trust but has also prepared my mother’s family trust. Over the years he has also provided expert guidance to many others who I have con...fidently referred to him. Everyone that I am aware of who has had the experience of working with him, had nothing but rave reviews. I would strongly recommend Mr. Phillips and the Phillips and Phillips Law firm, to anyone needing Estate Planning, Probate, Trust or Conservatorship matters dealt with in a prompt and professional mannor. I have met Mr. Phillips associate Katelyn, and would feel comfortable dealing with her on any issues or problems with the same degree of confidence I have in Mr. Phillips. Should anyone wish to speak to me personally about my experiences with the firm, they are welcome to call me. Mr. Phillips has my direct line. Thank you Roy

Posted by Catherine Brent | August 22, 2018 | Consulted Attorney

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

Excellent Service !

Jim Phillips has proven to be an excellent attorney with a wealth of knowledge and has helped many of my clients through the trying times of losing a loved one and guided them with expertise on all the steps that need to be taken. Katelyn Phillips now works with Jim as well and Jim and Katelyn make... it a point to always be available to answer questions for myself and my clients. I highly recommend Jim and Katelyn! Cathy B.

See All Client Reviews

James Jackson Phillips's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Robert Briant Jacobs headshot
Robert Jacobs

Estate planning lawyer | Jun 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Jim Phillips for many years. He is highly experienced in his practice areas of Trust and Probate administration and Estate Planning. He is exceptionally focused on servicing his client's needs, and I have always found him to exemplify the highest degree of integrity."

Elizabeth Edith Trutner headshot
Elizabeth Trutner

Estate planning lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jim is an extremely competent, thorough and thoughtful trusts and estates attorney, with a wonderful staff."

Mark David Poniatowski headshot
Mark Poniatowski

Estate planning lawyer | Dec 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Jim is an experienced, certified estate planning specialist and tax expert. He is also a Rotarian who lives by the motto "Service Above Self".n"

Paul J Molinaro headshot
Paul Molinaro

Probate lawyer | Sep 14

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Robert Briant Jacobs headshot
Robert Jacobs

Real estate lawyer

Mark David Poniatowski headshot
Mark Poniatowski

Business lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

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

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Northern California Super Lawyers, SuperLawyers

2019

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

Northern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2016

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2015

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Friend of Education Award, The Castro Valley Education Foundation

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers

2014

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers

2013

Diablo Magazine, San Francisco East Bay Wealth Manager

2013

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

Diablo Magazine, San Francisco East Bay Wealth Manager

2012

James J. Phillips, Five Star Professional Award

2012

Circle of Excellence, American Registry Circle of Excellence

2012

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2011

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2011

San Francisco East Bay Wealth Manager, Diablo Magazine

2011

James J. Phillips, Five Star Professional Award

2010

Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers

2009

Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers

2008

Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers

2007

Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers

2006

Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers

2005

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

1980

David E. Snodgrass Moot Court: First Place Written Brief, Hastings College of the Law

Work Experience

2018 - Present

President, Law Offices of Philllips & Phillips, A Professional Corporation

1989 - 1992

Of Counsel, Varni, Fraser, Hartwell & Rodgers

1989 - 2017

President, Law Offices of James J Phillips, A Professional Corporation

1983 - 1989

Attorney, Smith, Etnire, Polson & Scott

Associations

2017 - Present

Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council

Director and Officer

2012 - Present

Castro Valley Rotary Club

Affiliate Member

2001 - Present

Castro Valley Track Club

Coach

1980 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

East Bay Estate Planning Council

Director

1991 - 1992

State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates Section

Executive Committee

1990 - 1991

Eastern Alameda County Bar Association

President

1982 - 2012

Hayward Rotary Club

Member

Education

1988

Golden Gate University School of Law

LL.M - Master of Laws

1980

University of California, Hastings College of the Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1976

University of California - Davis

BS - Bachelor of Science

1972

Castro Valley High School

High school

Speaking Engagements

2012

Samuel Merrit Univeristy

Estate Planning

Publications

2014

Blog on my web page Reviewing an existing estate plan

1991

California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) Tax Comparison of Living Trusts and Wills

1990

California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) Tax Considerations in Comparing Living Trusts and Wills

1989

California Lawyer Magazine Taxes and Living Trusts

1988

Tax Exchange Federal Income Tax Differences Between Living Trust Administration and Probate Administration

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
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