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Hale Kronenberg

Hale Kronenberg

The Law Offices of Hale Kronenberg
1300 Clay Street
Suite 600
Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: (510) 526-5054  |  Fax: (510) 526-1062
http://www.halekronenberg.com

Contact Hale Kronenberg

Serving clients with small to mid-sized estates.

Legal Topic

Wills, Trusts & Estates

Preferred New Clients

I prefer to work with clients who need help in planning their estates, handling a probate, or administering a trust.

Sub-Categories

Taxes
  • Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
Estate Planning
  • Charitable Giving
  • Charitable Trusts
  • Drafting Trusts
  • Drafting Wills
  • Estate Administration
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trusts
  • Living Wills
  • Probate

Bar Admissions

CA, Dec 1974
Bar Number: 61779

Specialty Certifications

Probate, estate planning and trust law.

Other Court Admissions

- California state courts
- U.S. Federal District Court
- U.S. Tax Court

Association Memberships

American Bar Association; Alameda County Bar Association; Berkeley-Albany Bar Association.

Continuing Education

I have attended over 100 hours in estate planning seminars over the last three years.

Papers and Publications

From 1993 to 2005, I managed the Estate Planning Practice Group at California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), a joint venture of the State Bar of California and the University of California. I supervised the production of several estate planning books, including books on California Living Trusts, California Will Drafting, and California Elder Law.

Example Cases

I represented of the trustee of a special needs trust that was designed to preserve the beneficiary's SSI benefits.

I also represented a couple in a second marriage who wanted to provide for each other, while ensuring that their own children were the ultimate beneficiaries.

Additionally, I represented a probate executor who was dealing with the conflicting interests of family beneficiaries.

Education

Degree:

MBA (Taxation)

School:

Golden Gate University

City:

San Francisco

State:

CA

Year:

1978

Focus and Accomplishments:

I attended school at night while working full-time as a lawyer, and focused on estate planning, corporate, and individual income tax.

 

Degree:

B.A.

School:

Dartmouth College

City:

Hanover

State:

NH

Year:

1967

Honors:

Cum Laude

Focus and Accomplishments:

Distinction in Government major.

 

Degree:

J.D.

School:

Columbia Law School

City:

New York

State:

NY

Year:

1970

Honors:

Cum Laude

Focus and Accomplishments:

I was the Notes and Comments Editor of Columbia Law Review.

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

California and Hawaii

Firm Focus and History

I began my firm as a solo practice in 1980, initially focusing on estate planning and small business. I now practice exclusively in the fields of estate planning, probate, and trust law.

Previous Employment Summary

After law school, I clerked for a federal district court judge in Honolulu and then practiced with a small firm in Honolulu for two years. I practiced with mid-size firms in San Francisco from 1974 to 1980, and started my own practice in 1980. From 1983 to 2005, I worked for California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), a joint venture of the State Bar of California and the University of California.

Activities and Awards

I serve on the Estate Planning Advisory Committee, which advises California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB).

I participate in an IRS-certified program to provide free income tax preparation to low-income taxpayers.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I have presented many seminars on estate planning for the general public and I am a strong advocate for people educating themselves on legal issues. An informed client makes my job easier and can save time and fees.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I have often reviewed documents prepared by clients and have offered suggestions to clients wishing to do their own drafting. I don't hesitate to tell clients when they need to let a lawyer take over.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I am willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves and will point out the danger areas and when they should consider getting legal help.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I wanted to help people understand legal issues that are often complicated and hard to deal with. I wanted to apply my intellect and creativity so that clients could use the law to protect their legal rights and resolve conflicts.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

I have an MBA in tax which gives me a broad understanding of the overall system in which estate planning operates. My law firm experience has included business law, tax law, and a variety of other legal areas such as litigation and insurance law.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

I found that estate planning and probate are people-oriented, intellectually challenging, and socially productive.

What do you like best about your career?

I enjoy meeting a wide variety of people with unique problems that I can help solve.

Tell us about your law firm:

I do most of my work by myself, with some secretarial support. Clients find it easy to talk with me directly.

What are your strengths and style?

I've been a lawyer for over 30 years, which gives me a level of life experience and perhaps wisdom that informs my relationship with my clients.

I try to be as informal as possible, while being mindful of the technical requirements of this area of law and the need for utmost professionalism.

Personal Interests:

I'm a competitive racewalker and teach racewalking classes in the local adult school. I've coached little league, girls' softball, and soccer and I am an avid sports fan.

Fax

(510) 526-1062

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I generally quote a fixed fee for estate planning work, after meeting with the client and determining what legal services will be required.

Hourly Rates

My hourly fee is $325.

Free Initial Consultation?

I offer a free initial consultation.

Typical Retainer

I generally do not ask for a retainer. Clients pay for estate planning services when they sign their documents.

Understanding Fees

Nolo's Licensing Check

Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.

Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.