Attorney Bio

What do you look for in a lawyer?

• Integrity
• Competence
• Responsiveness

When you hire The Law Offices of Elliott Abrams, you are hiring me.  I am hands on and will personally attend to all aspects of your matter and will not pass you on to another attorney or to a paralegal.  If your matter is outside my areas of practice, I will not undertake it but will instead refer you to a lawyer with the necessary expertise.

Your calls will be promptly returned and you will be kept fully apprised of the status of your matter. I am easy to talk to and down to earth.  I will give you an objective and realistic assessment of your legal matter.

I have been practicing law since 1980 and specialize in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate, Tax and General Business matters.  I frequently lecture in these areas to other attorneys, trade groups and the general public. I regularly attend continuing education courses to keep my skills honed and my knowledge current. 

Lastly and most importantly, I am fair and honest and place your interests ahead of my own.  My billing is clear and straightforward.   Most matters are handled on a flat fee basis which you will know in advance of work being performed.  On matters that are billed on a hourly basis, we will mutually agree in advance of the specific terms under which I will be working for you and you will be kept apprised of the fees on a monthly basis.

On a personal level, I maintain a very active life outside the practice of law.  I am married and have two adult children.  My outside interests include ice hockey, tennis, skiing, backpacking, woodworking, woodturning and travel. 

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Probate
• General Business
• Taxation
• Bankruptcy

Certification/Specialties

• Certified Specialist, Bankruptcy Law (1996-2007), The State Bar of California Legal Board of Specialization

Bar Admissions

• California, 1980
• U.S. Tax Court
• U.S. District Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

Education

• University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, California, 1980
  J.D.
  
  
• University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, 1973
  B.S.
  
  

Honors and Awards

• 2005 Super Lawyer - Northern California - Estate Planning and Trusts
• AV rated by Martindale Hubbell

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Contra Costa County Bar Association
  
  
• State Bar of California
  
  
• Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley