Jillyn Hess-Verdon
Managing Partner
United States Supreme Court – a rare and distinguished accomplishment among attorneys nationwide. – 1996
Jillyn Hess-Verdon founded the firm in 1990 and advises high net-worth individuals and corporate executives with their estate tax and corporate matters. Our clients have found her more than 30 years of experience invaluable when dealing with their families and businesses.
Jillyn Hess-Verdon combines her knowledge regarding trusts, advanced estate tax planning, business, real estate matters, and charitable planning to provide a complete estate plan that meets each client’s unique objectives.
In 1993 she began litigating complex probate & trust cases at the Trial Court and Appellate Court level with published opinions regarding community property claims against separate property trusts; post-mortem shareholder derivative actions; and defending widows’ claims and families’ claims for their inheritance. In 1996 she was admitted to the United States Supreme Court, a rare and distinguished accomplishment among less than 1% of attorneys nationwide. As Managing Partner of Hess-Verdon & Associates, she applies her litigation experience and the litigation team’s experience to help our clients avoid litigation when planning their estates. Ms. Verdon also advises our clients regarding their real estate business legal issues.
Jillyn Hess-Verdon has been featured in the California Lawyer magazine and the Orange County Lawyer magazine regarding Trusts and Estate issues.
SHE HAS APPEARED NUMEROUS TIMES ON: CNN, ABC NEWS, NBC NEWS, CBS NEWS and COURT TV as a legal expert on Trust, Estate, and Probate cases she handled for unique or noteworthy cases.
Biography
Ms. Hess-Verdon particularly enjoys overseeing the firm’s Family Office Services and advising clients regarding their charitable and tax planning options, which often include the following:
- Family Foundations
- Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) (Latest CRT Podcast – About CRAT’s and CRUT’s)
- Irrevocable Trusts for children or grandchildren
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
- Grantor Retained Trusts (GRATs)
- Dynasty Trusts and many other tax-saving strategies.
She is a noted speaker on Trust & Probate Litigation, Advanced Inheritance Tax Planning, Estate Planning for Business Owners, Family Office Services, Special Needs Trusts, and Charitable Planning.
As the Managing Partner, Ms. Verdon has built an experienced legal team focusing on the following:
· Probate and Probate litigation
· Special Needs Trusts for Disabled Family Members,
· Real Estate Law and litigation
· Business Law and business dispute litigation
The firm’s dedication to achieving results for its clients is unsurpassed. A track record of success and a reputation of excellence sets this firm apart.
Hess-Verdon & Associates, PLC provides you with the highest level of legal expertise and knowledge.
Education
- A.S. Business Administration, Long Beach City College
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Law, Western State University College of Law
- Juris Doctorate Degree, Western State University College of Law
Admissions
- California State Bar – 1990
- Federal District Court – 1990
- United States Supreme Court – a rare and distinguished accomplishment among attorneys nationwide. – 1996
Areas of Practice
MS. VERDON’S AREAS OF EXPERTISE INCLUDE:
- Advanced Estate Tax Planning
- Charitable Planning
- Disputes over inheritance
- Post-mortem trust and estate administration
- Business Succession Planning
- Advising & forming Private and Public Foundations
- Representing Owners of LLCs, Corporations & Partnerships
- Resolving Business & Partnership disputes
“Jillyn’s knowledge. Always does a terrific job of explaining everything.”
“My personal interests are taken very seriously, Jillyn is up to date. A definite sense of trust.”
JILLYN HESS-VERDON'S APPELLATE WORK HAS RESULTED IN PUBLISHED CASES SUCH:
Patrick v. Alacer (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 995.Professional & Community Associations
Ms. Verdon has had the pleasure of serving as a member or director of the following organizations:
- Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity
- Robert A. Banyard Inn of Court
- Orange County Bar Association
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Trust and Estates Section of the State Bar of California
- Orange County Bar Association’s Masters’ Section
- Orange County Bar Association’s Trust and Estate Section
- Orange County Bar Association’s Appellate Law Section
- Leadership Tomorrow
- Orange County Forum
- Sunwest Bank Director
- UC Irvine’s Chief Executive Roundtable
- Direct Connection To Africa
- Women of Chapman
- Discovery Science Center’s Innovators.
Publications and Conferences
JILLYN HESS-VERDON HAS TAUGHT AT THE GRADUATE LEVEL AND HAS BEEN A NOTED LECTURER FOR:
· The Los Angeles Daily Journal Bridging the Gap Conference
· Boeing Management Association- Estate Planning for Executives
· N.A.M.I. (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Re: Special Needs Trusts
· SOCEP (Society of Orange County Emergency Physicians) Re Estate Planning for Physicians
· The Los Angeles Times-UCI 1st Annual Conference on “Estate Planning For the High Net-Worth Family.”
· STEP OC 2021-Society of Trust & Estate Professional on “Trends In Trust Litigation.
“Jillyn’s knowledge. Always does a terrific job of explaining everything.”