Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Find a Lawyer >
Wills, Trusts & Estates lawyers serving Alameda County, CA >
Michael Philip Kerner
Back to Search Results
Michael Philip Kerner
Janin, Morgan & Brenner, P.C.
428 13th Street, 11th floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 379-1717 | Fax: (510) 379-1718
http://www.jmblaw.com
Tax Estate Planning & Tax-Related Business Transactions
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
Clients with estate planning and/or tax related topics and probate and trust administration.
Sub-Categories
Banking & Loans
- Credit Unions
- Savings & Thrifts
- Life Insurance
- Audit Defense
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Income Taxes
- IRS Disputes
- IRS Filing & Compliance
- Negotiating IRS Payments & Settlements
- Power of Attorney
- Property Taxes
- Tax Planning
- Charitable Giving
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Asset Protection
- Guardianship
- Power of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Special Needs Trust
- Supplemental Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
CA, Jan 1980
Bar Number: 91351
Specialty Certifications
Certified by the State Bar of California as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
Other Court Admissions
All California State Courts, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. Tax Court.
Association Memberships
Bar Association of San Francisco, Alameda County Bar Association, Solano County Bar Association, San Francisco Estate Planning Council, and East Bay Estate Planning Council.
Continuing Education
I teach and attend continuing legal education seminars on estate planning and related topics. I always exceed the required number of continuing education hours in order to stay abreast of the ever-changing and complex tax rules and regulations.
Example Cases
Comprehensive planning for multigenerational wealth transfer for many Bay Area families.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Lewis & Clark Law School
City:
Portland
State:
OR
Year:
1979
Degree:
LL.M. (Taxation)
School:
Golden Gate University School of Law
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1995
Degree:
B.A.
School:
Antioch College
City:
Yellow Springs
State:
OH
Year:
1976
Focus and Accomplishments:
Environmental science and music.
Number of Attorneys
7
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
In our practice, we represent clients throughout the Bay Area and across the country. Our practice focuses on estate planning, tax planning, probate and trust administration, business formation and counseling, commercial real estate, and litigation. Our knowledge and understanding of our core practice areas are unsurpassed, and we take pride in our history of building and developing lasting relationships with our clients. We continually strive to achieve the highest level of excellence in our practice, seeking creative and simple solutions to complex problems. Our goal is to meet our clients' legal needs as fully and cost effectively as possible.
Janin, Morgan & Brenner, a professional corporation, was founded in 1939 and based in San Francisco until 2008 when we moved our principal office to 428 13th Street in downtown Oakland, adjacent to the City Center BART station. The firm originally started out as a tax boutique, but soon expanded its practice areas to include general business counseling, commercial real estate, and litigation. We have always maintained a roster of six to ten attorneys, never wishing to grow larger and risk losing the collegiality, close working and personal relationships that our small size allows.
Previous Employment Summary
Founding partner of Kerner, Weppner & Rosenbaum (1983 to 1999), a general practice law firm; staff attorney for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (1979 to 1983).
Activities and Awards
Selected as a Northern California Super Lawyer by Law & Politics and San Francisco Magazine.
Highest (AV®) rating from Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings(TM)
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I am a firm believer in self help. An informed client is a good client, better able to participate in the planning process.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am happy to review client prepared documents.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am happy to assist clients in handling their own legal matters.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I was drawn to the law because of its complexity and integration into all aspects of life. In particular, tax law is at the heart of all business affairs. I enjoy working closely with my clients to help them chart the proper course and achieve their planning and business goals.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have 30 years of experience practicing law, and many years of experience running my own businesses. My practical experience enhances my professional training and experience, and makes me a better lawyer and advisor to my clients.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Estate planning is compelling in its complexity and usefulness in preserving family harmony and wealth. These are goals that everyone understands and can use competent help in achieving.
What do you like best about your career?
Helping my clients take advantage of the benefits available to them with proper planning. It's refreshing and satisfying to be able to provide legal services that are constructive rather than adversarial.
Tell us about your law firm:
Our firm is small and tightly knit. We all assist each other with our cases and client matters. I work with one associate attorney and one paralegal whose assistance is invaluable. We all work closely together to make sure that our clients' legal needs are timely and appropriately addressed.
What are your strengths and style?
I am an expert in my practice areas, and I approach my work with calm deliberation. I relate well with my clients and have a tendency to form close and lasting relationships with them.
Personal Interests:
I am interested in a variety of outdoor activities, as well as community and family pursuits. On weekends I often can be found cycling the Oakland Hills, windsurfing in the Bay, or tending to our small flock of chickens and herd of cats.
Office Manager/Assistant
Debra E. Rice
Fax
(510) 379-1718
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For emergency after hours, please call (510) 379-1717.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Additional Offices
Benicia, CA
110 East D Street
Suite L
Benicia, CA 94510
(510) 379-1717
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
We offer fixed prices for some estate planning matters, depending on the client's needs.
Nolo Document Review:
I will review a will or trust produced by Quicken WillMaker Plus for a modest flat fee.
Hourly Rates
My hourly rate is $350, my associate's rate is $275, and my legal assistant's rate is $125.
Free Initial Consultation?
I offer a free initial consultation for however long it takes.
Typical Retainer
I typically do not require an advance retainer.
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.
