James J. Phillips
Certified Specialist in Probate, Estate Planning, and Trust Law
State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
LL.M. in Taxation
Phillips Law Offices, A Professional Corporation
AV Rated: Achieved the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards by Martindale Hubbell Law Directory, and included in its Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers annually since 1995.
Super Lawyers: Awarded Northern California Super Lawyers since 2005.
Education: Golden Gate University of Law (Master of Laws (LL.M) in Taxation, 1988. University of California, Hastings College of the Law, University of California (Juris Doctor, 1980; First Place, 1979 David E. Snodgrass Moot Court Competition – Best Written Brief); University of California at Davis (Bachelor of Science in Human Development, with high honors, 1976); Castro Valley High School (1972).
Professional Memberships: 1991-1992 Member of the Executive Committee of California State Bar’s Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section. 1990 President of the Eastern Alameda County Bar Association. Former member of the Executive Committee of the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section of the Alameda County Bar Association. Former director of the Estate Planning Council of the East Bay. Member of Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Section and Taxation Section of the State Bar of California and current director of Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council. Member of National Association of Elder Law Attorneys.
Publications: Author: “Tax Comparison of Living Trusts and Wills,” Fundamentals of Estate Planning, CEB and the State Bar Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law Section Program (April 1991); “Tax Considerations in Comparing Living Trusts and Wills,” Drafting Wills and Related Estate Planning Documents, CEB and the State Bar Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section Program (April/May 1990); “Taxes and Living Trusts,” California Lawyer (February 1989); “Federal Income Tax Differences between Living Trust Administration and Probate Administration,” Tax Exchange (November 1988).
Probate Court Appointments: Served as Judge Pro Tem, Alameda County Superior Courts. Appointed by Alameda County Probate Court as Special Master, Guardian Ad Litem, and Personal Representative in contested trust, probate, conservatorship, and guardian cases.
Prior Employment: Existing firm established in Pleasanton in 1989. Of Counsel to Varni, Fraser, Hartwell & Rogers in Pleasanton from 1989 to 1992. Attorney with Smith, Etnire & Scott in Pleasanton from 1983 to 1989. Attorney in Hayward from 1980 to 1983.
Community Involvement: Director of Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce. Former director of Castro Valley Arts Foundation. Director Emeritus of California State University Hayward Educational Foundation, Inc. and of Eden Area Foundation. Member of Pleasanton, Livermore, and Castro Valley/Eden Area Chambers of Commerce and Castro Valley Rotary Club. Founder and coach of Castro Valley Track Club.
Personal: Native to Castro Valley, California. Son of Alameda County Superior Court Judge George W. Phillips, Jr. who served from 1964-1980. Married with two children.
