Estate Planning, Trusts
And Probate

Real Estate Transactions

Litigation

Attorneys

JEFFREY H. LERMAN

Of Counsel, CunninghamLegal

Attorney Jeffrey H. Lerman is a multifaceted legal professional, entrepreneur, and real estate expert. He co-founded Lerman Law Partners LLP, where he continues to specialize in commercial, mixed-use, retail, medical office, and residential properties across the US. He has joined CunninghamLegal as Of Counsel.

Previous to these roles, Jeffrey served as General Counsel for two renowned real estate companies with large portfolios of award-winning properties, including the Los Angeles Four Seasons Hotel. He has lectured on real estate and litigation topics at many prominent institutions, including the UC Berkeley Fisher Center for Real Estate & Urban Economics and the USC Law Center.

His method, he says, is straightforward: “I always work toward success with clients through thinking creatively and strategically while being meticulous about the details.”

Jeffrey’s impressive career includes significant courtroom victories on behalf of well-known celebrities and nationally-known companies in a wide range of industries, including the landmark defamation case Keimer v. Buena Vista Books, Inc., 75 Cal. App 4th 1220, 89 Cal Rptr. 2nd 781 (1999).

Over the years, Jeffrey has negotiated countless leases involving major retail and office tenants, represented landlords and tenants, and negotiated numerous commercial property purchase and sale agreements, as well as loan transactions. He has formed the full range of entities, including corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies–as well as representing companies in major mergers.

Jeffrey has been recognized for his professional excellence with numerous honors and awards. He served as the 2007 President of the Marin County Bar Association and was selected for inclusion in the 2013, 2015 – 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers list. He has also been named as a “Leading Real Estate Attorney” by National Real Estate Investor magazine and one of the “Top Attorneys in Northern California” by San Francisco magazine. He has received a peer-review rating of AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 and rated 10 out of 10 “Superb” by Avvo.

In addition to his professional work, Jeffrey is a former Comment Editor of the UCLA Law Review. He earned his B.S. at the University of California at Berkeley and his J.D. at the UCLA School of Law.

Contact Us Today

Jeffrey H. Lerman and our full team of attorneys can help you with advanced Real Estate, Trust, and Tax Planning from any of our offices throughout Northern and Southern California. We offer in-person, phone, and Zoom appointments. We invite you to reach out with any questions or needs at 415-448-7778 or 866-671-5902 or request a call by using the form on this page.

At CunninghamLegal, we guide savvy, caring families in the protection and transfer of multi-generational wealth.

MICHELLE C. LERMAN

Of Counsel, CunninghamLegal

Michelle Lerman’s clients think of her as the “attorney with a heart.” Her colleagues think of her as a mentor and leader in the Estate Planning legal community. A frequent guest on radio and TV, Michelle is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. She represents clients across California to create custom Estate Plans for the unique needs of individuals and families. She also handles estates in Probate Court and assists in the administration of trusts after a death.

Michelle obtained her Degree of Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude from the University of California at Los Angeles and her Degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California. She co-founded Lerman Law Partners LLP with her husband Jeffrey H. Lerman, to create a firm known as the “Real Estate Investor’s Lawyers,” going beyond estate planning to assist clients with real estate transactions, syndication, asset protection, loan workouts, litigation, and business succession. She continues to work with Lerman Law Partners, LLP in tandem with joining CunninghamLegal as Of Counsel.

As a testament to Michelle’s passion for the law and her commitment to her clients, she was named a Top Attorney and received the Top Women Attorneys award in Northern California, by San Francisco Magazine, including in 2013, 2017, 2018. 2019, 2020, and 2021. Michelle was also voted “#1 Favorite Lawyer for Marin and Sonoma Counties” by the “J.” Newspaper Readers’ Poll in 2007.  Her legal expertise has consistently earned her a place among the top 5% of lawyers in the state, as she was selected for inclusion in the 2009, 2010, and 2017-2023 California Super Lawyers publication. As a recognized leader, she has served as the past president of the Estate Planning Section of the Marin County Bar Association. She is also the co-founder of the Estate Planning Section Mentor Group, a monthly meeting of estate planning professionals.

In 2018, Michelle released the Third Edition of her book, Create Your Best LegacyWhat Every Homeowner, Real Estate Investor and Parent Must Know About Estate Planning, Living Trusts and Probate to continuing rave reviews.

Michelle graduated with a Degree of Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude from the University of California at Los Angeles, and received her Degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California, where she received an AmJur Award. She has been a member of the California Bar since 1983.

Her commitment to excellence and to her clients has earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and peers, and she continues to make significant contributions to the legal profession. If you’re looking for a compassionate and experienced attorney to help you create a solid and savvy estate plan, Michelle is a top choice.

Contact Us Today

Michelle C. Lerman and our full team of attorneys can help you with advanced Estate, Trust, and Tax Planning from any of our offices throughout Northern and Southern California. We offer in-person, phone, and Zoom appointments. We invite you to reach out with any questions or needs at 415-448-7778 or 866-671-5902 or request a call by using the form on this page.

At CunninghamLegal, we guide savvy, caring families in the protection and transfer of multi-generational wealth.

PHILIP R. DIAMOND

Of Counsel, CunninghamLegal

Philip R. Diamond is a highly experienced attorney who has joined CunninghamLegal Of Counsel, in tandem with Lerman Law Partners LLP.

With over four decades of legal practice under his belt, Philip is experienced in many areas of law, including Real Estate and Construction, Toxic Tort, Employment, Structural & Agricultural Pest Control, Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith, Product Liability, Aviation, Commercial and Business Litigation, and General Tort Litigation. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the California State Bar Association, and the Marin County Bar Association; and was a founding and name partner in two San Francisco Financial District law firms.

Phil received his J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award and was an editor of the California Law Review. He also earned his A.B. from U.C. Berkeley, where he graduated with Great Distinction and was a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa fraternity.

Throughout his career, Phil has held numerous positions of leadership within the legal community. He served as Director for the Marin County Bar Association from 2005 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2012, as well as Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section from 2011 to 2012. He joined Lerman Law Partners, LLP in 2004 (as Of Counsel).

Importantly, Phil is known as a skilled and highly respected mediator and arbitrator, and operates his own practice known as Diamond Dispute Resolution. In addition, he is a licensed California Real Estate Broker (BRE Broker License No. 01968370).

This seasoned attorney’s passion for the law and helping people is clear: “I am honored to have spent over 40 years working with clients to help them resolve their legal disputes,” says Phil. “My goal is to provide every client with the highest level of personalized attention and to help them achieve the best possible outcome.”

Contact Us Today

Philip R. Diamond and our full team of attorneys can help you with advanced Estate, Trust, and Tax Planning from any of our offices throughout Northern and Southern California. We offer in-person, phone, and Zoom appointments. We invite you to reach out with any questions or needs at 415-448-7778 or 866-671-5902 or request a call by using the form on this page.

At CunninghamLegal, we guide savvy, caring families in the protection and transfer of multi-generational wealth.

SARAH KERN

Attorney, Estate Planning at CunninghamLegal

With her laser focus on wealth transfer, Sarah helps parents, individuals, business owners, and same-sex couples leave their legacies in a manner that avoids probate expenses and minimizes stress on their loved ones. Clients who have worked with Sarah testify that she takes what can feel like overwhelming and high-stakes tasks and breaks them down into easy-to understand language and actionable steps. Sarah brings her expertise to us in tandem with her work at Lerman Law Partners, LLP.

“Planning your estate is not just about money,” says Sarah. “It’s about taking care of your family and loved ones after you’re gone. My goal is to help my clients achieve peace of mind by creating a customized Estate Plan that reflects their unique needs and values.”

Sarah obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Reed College. During law school, Sarah was given the CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Accounting for Lawyers. Her commitment to excellence has brought her recognition as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2014, 2020, and 2021–an honor reserved for the top 2.5% of practicing attorneys under 40, nationwide.

She is a member of the State Bar of California and the Marin County Bar Association, where she actively participates in events and programs that enhance her legal knowledge and support her community. Her passion for estate planning has made her a trusted advisor and a valuable resource for her clients.

When Sarah is not helping her clients navigate complex legal matters, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and exploring the beautiful sights and sounds of her native Marin County.

If you are looking for a knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated attorney to help you with estate planning, trust administration, and probate representation, look no further than Sarah Kern.

Contact Us Today

Sarah Kern and our full team of attorneys can help you with advanced Estate, Trust, and Tax Planning from any of our offices throughout Northern and Southern California. We offer in-person, phone, and Zoom appointments. We invite you to reach out with any questions or needs at 415-448-7778 or 866-671-5902 or request a call by using the form on this page.

At CunninghamLegal, we guide savvy, caring families in the protection and transfer of multi-generational wealth.

DYLAN RECHT

Attorney, Estate Planning & Trust Administration at CunninghamLegal

Attorney Dylan Recht believes that every family, couple, and individual needs and deserves a custom-tailored Estate Plan. To help his clients achieve their highly individual objectives, he works with a broad range of estate planning tools, including revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, LLCs, and international wills.

Dylan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco. He is a member of the State Bar of California, the Marin County Bar Association, and the San Francisco Bar Association.

Over the years, Dylan has earned the deep respect of his peers. He was nationally recognized as one of the Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2021 and 2022, a distinction reserved for only a few attorneys in each state. The honor of being named a “Rising Star” is bestowed upon lawyers “deemed to be making strides within the legal world,” with high achievements and expertise competing across all firm sizes.

“Helping my clients to navigate the complex world of Estate Planning is truly fulfilling,” says Dylan. “I enjoy breaking down complex legal concepts into easy-to-understand language and helping families achieve their objectives.”

Along with Estate Planning, this versatile attorney represents trustees and beneficiaries, including charitable organizations, in trust administration issues. He also has extensive experience in handling probate matters.

Raised in Half Moon Bay, California, Dylan moved to San Francisco in 2009, where he now resides. When he’s not busy helping clients protect their assets, he enjoys cooking, hiking, traveling, and playing guitar.

If you want to protect your assets with a custom-tailored estate plan, let Dylan Recht guide you through the process with his knowledge, experience, and easy-to-understand language.

Contact Us Today

Dylan Recht works with CunninghamLegal in tandem with Lerman Law Partners, LLP, and we invite you to visit their website as well. He and our full team of attorneys can help you with advanced Estate, Trust, and Tax Planning from any of our offices throughout Northern and Southern California. We invite you to reach out with any questions or needs at 415-448-7778 or 866-671-5902 or request a call by using the form on this page.

At CunninghamLegal, we guide savvy, caring families in the protection and transfer of multi-generational wealth.

 

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