Susan M. von Herrmann

  • Experience

    Ms. von Herrmann is a partner and a member of the firm's Estates & Trusts Practice Group. Ms. von Herrmann focuses her practice on estate planning and advises her clients on strategies for minimizing estate and gift tax liabilities and charitable planned giving. In addition to advising traditional families, Ms. von Herrmann has developed an expertise in assisting non-traditional families in estate planning matters.

    Ms. von Herrmann graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Political Science and received her J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley's Boalt Hall. She serves on the Board of Regents of the Point Foundation, the leading LGBT scholarship fund in America, and chairs the planned giving subcommittee. Ms. von Herrmann is a member of the Planned Giving Advisory Committee of the Red Cross, Bay Area Chapter, Grace Cathedral Planned Giving Committee and Clausen House Heritage Advisors. 

  • Education

    J.D., University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall, 1984
    B.A., Stanford University, 1981

     

     

  • Admissions

    State Bars of California and Massachusetts

  • Affiliations

    State Bar of California
    Estate Planning and Trust Administration Section

    American Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section

    The Point Foundation, Board of Regents

    Alta Bates Summit Foundation, Board of Delegates

    Clausen House Heritage Advisor

    Grace Cathedral Planned Giving Committee

  • Speaking & Teaching Experience

    May 5, 2010: Kieretsu Forum, Oakland, CA, "Your Estate Plan--Does It Do What You Intended It To Do?  Estate Planning Pitfalls and Opportunities During Uncertain Times"

    June 22, 2009: Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA, "Politics, Religion and Discourse: A Conversation about Same Sex Marriage"

    April 23, 2009: Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, San Jose, CA, "The Perils of Planning With Joint Tenancy for LGBT Couples and The Use of the Life Partner LLC--The Perfect Investment Vehicle"

    April 7, 2009: Wyndham Hotel, Palm Springs, CA, "Planning Ahead: Do I Need Long-Term Care and Disability Insurance?  Elder Care Legal Issues" and "Fighting Inequality with Sophisticated Tax Planning"

    February 24, 2009:  East Bay Community Foundation, Oakland, CA, "Estate Planning for the Blended Family"

    February 10, 2009: Wyndham Hotel, Palm Springs, CA, "LGBT Charitable Giving: Saving Taxes and Supporting Our Community"

    December 9, 2008: Wyndham Hotel, Palm Springs, CA, "LGBT Investment and Estate Planning: Roth IRA's to Living Trusts

    December 4, 2008: Piedmont Community Hall, Piedmont, CA, "Avoiding Mistakes in LGBT Estate Planning and A Same-Sex Marriage Update"

    December 2, 2008: San Francisco LGBT Community Center, San Francisco, CA, "Avoiding Mistakes in LGBT Estate Planning and A Same-Sex Marriage Update"

    November 11, 2008:  Wyndham Hotel, Palm Springs, CA, "Avoiding Mistakes in LGBT Financial and Estate Planning and a Same-Sex Marriage Update"

    November 5, 2008: The Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section of The Bar Association of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, "Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Families in an Era of New Rights and Responsibilities"

    July 21, 2008: Lambda Legal, San Francisco, CA, "Planning in an Era of New Rights and Responsibilities:  Marriage, Domestic Partnerships and Estate Planning Issues for California Same-Sex Couples"

    June 6, 2008: California Continuing Education of the Bar, San Francisco, CA, "Estate Planning for the Blended Family" 

    May 31, 2008: California Continuing Education of the Bar, Sacramento, CA, "Estate Planning for the Blended Family"

    May 4, 2008: Piedmont Community Church, Piedmont, CA, "Estate Planning Basics and Tools and Techniques for Charitable Planned Giving"

    March 18, 2008: East Bay Community Foundation, Oakland, CA, "Estate Planning for LGBT Couples and Families"

    March 3, 2008: East Bay Women's Conference, San Ramon, CA, "Life, Death, Divorce and Disability: Protecting Yourself, Your Family and Your Hard Earned Assets"

    February 7, 2008: San Francisco City College, "Estate, Tax and Charitable Planning for the LGBT Community"

    November 2, 2007: Continuing Education of the Bar, Orange County, CA, "Estate Planning for Unmarried Partners"

    October 25, 2007: Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA, "Estate, Tax and Charitable Planning for the LGBT Community"

    October 24, 2007: Continuing Education of the Bar - San Francisco, CA, "Estate Planning for Unmarried Partners"

    October 19, 2007: Continuing Education of the Bar - Los Angeles, CA, "Estate Planning for Unmarried Partners"

    September 25, 2007: The Clorox Company, LGBT Task Force, Oakland, CA, "Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Families"

    September 20, 2007: The Guild of St. Ives, CA, "Estate Planning for LGBT Couples and Families"

    September 12, 2007: Bar Association of San Francisco, Barristers Club, CA "Estate Planning for LGBT Couples and Families"

    March 21, 2007: Northern California Planned Giving Conference, "Blended Families and the Perils of Planned Giving"

    March 14, 2007: Alameda County Bar Association, Estate Planning Committee, "Estate Planning for Registered Domestic Partners" 

     

Contact Information

Susan M. von Herrmann Partner svonherrmann@fablaw.com

  • Phone: (510) 451-3300
  • Fax: (510) 451-1527
  • Office: 1221 Broadway
    21st Floor
    Oakland, CA 94612
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