Lara Allison Grisemer

About Lara: 

Lara Grisemer is the Co-Founder of Widlast Legal, along with her mother Janis Carney. Lara's vision for the firm is inspired by both her relationship with her own family and her desire to help others plan for their future. Lara began her legal career in San Francisco, working with hospitals, physician practices, and senior communities as her clients. She reviewed and drafted contracts and policies for her corporate clients for more than a decade and was great at it. Lara brings those same skills to her work at Widlast, making an impact on a smaller and more personal scale for families and individuals. In addition to her law degree, Lara's educational background includes a Master's in Public Health from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She received a B.A. from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, and is a member of the California Bar.

In Lara's Own Words

"For years I listened to my mom talk about the need for estate planning and the challenges each family encounters when a loved one develops a serious or debilitating illness unexpectedly. In estate planning, every person has a unique set of circumstances requiring varying amounts of resources and knowledge in order to find solutions. Everyone at some point in their life is affected by these themes and arcs in life. Personally, my family is no exception, and my family’s personal experiences have led me where I am today.

My husband’s mother suffered a stroke in 2009, transforming her from a vibrant woman who could still ski black diamonds at the age of 69, into someone who needed intensive care and assistance with daily living. Within a few years, it became apparent that her primary caregiver -- her husband/my father-in-law -- was experiencing dementia, and his ability to care for her, their home, and their finances was beyond his capacity.

Our family then had to consider the options and help them make decisions for their care and their future. During the years that followed, I became acutely aware of the need for trusted and caring advisors in this area, the lack of resources available, and the need for attorneys and others who specialize in helping families navigate the process.

It is because of my personal experience -- growing up with my mom who has helped so many, and from experiencing the hardships of aging with my husband and his parents -- that I have dedicated myself to this field of law and our firm’s clients.

On a personal note, I am married with two young children. We live in Oakland, California and love being outside all seasons of the year. Typically, you can find us on the water sailing or wakeboarding in the spring and summer or skiing in the mountains of Tahoe in the winter."