'Dead Men Tell No Tales,' but Their Attorney May Have To: Overlooked Exceptions to Privilege in California

Attorneys or their clients might mistakenly, but reasonably, believe that privilege automatically continues on in perpetuity, but in the probate world, privileges are often eviscerated as a matter of statutory law after death.

In his article for The Recorder, Partner John Scheerer examines California Evidence Code Sections 957 and 960, which hold that there is no attorney client privilege for a deceased person when relevant to an issue between parties claiming through the deceased client.

Blind Success: Hiring Visually Impaired and Disabled Lawyers

As host of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel’s “Planning for a Diverse and Equitable Future” video series, Partner Terrence Franklin interviewed Fellow Dick Nenno about his experience as a blind lawyer: lessons learned, technology and professional support to get the job done, and recommendations for law firms hiring individuals with disabilities.

Firm Maintains Top Ranking by Chambers and Partners for High-Net-Worth Private Wealth Disputes – Four Partners Individually Recognized

For the fifth consecutive year, Sacks, Glazier, Franklin & Lodise has been named a leading law firm for High-Net-Worth Private Wealth Disputes by Chambers and Partners. The firm received a Band 1 designation in California, the highest ranking by the legal guide. 

Additionally, Partners Terrence Franklin, Meg Lodise, Matt McMurtrey and Bob Sacks were recognized as Notable Practitioners in the Private Wealth Disputes category.

Best Lawyers Names Five Sacks, Glazier, Franklin & Lodise Partners to 2024 List

Partners Terrence Franklin, Meg Lodise, Matt McMurtrey, Bob Sacks and John Scheerer were selected to Best Lawyers 2024 for their work in trusts and estates litigation. The list of outstanding lawyers is compiled by conducting exhaustive peer review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers.



Meg Lodise Selected to Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys 2023 List

For the fourth consecutive year, Partner Meg Lodise was recognized on Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys list for her work in trusts and estates litigation. Lodise was lauded for not only achieving important resolutions for clients, but also for the impact her work has in shaping the future of trusts and estates law.

John Scheerer and Tonie Pimienta Lefebvre Selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2023

Partner John Scheerer and Associate Tonie Pimienta Lefebvre have been named to the Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2023 list for their work in Estate & Trust Litigation. Rising Stars must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less, and no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys are named to the Rising Stars list.

John Scheerer Appointed Membership Chair of the Beverly Hills Estate Planning Council 

Partner John Scheerer has been named Membership Chair of the Beverly Hills Estate Planning Council (BHEPC) for the 2023-24 term. BHEPC is the premier network of estate planning advisors, including attorneys, CPAs, trust officers, wealth managers, insurance agents and valuation professionals.