Brooke Wilson concentrates her practice in the fields of tax and estate planning, trust administration and probate. She advises clients on all aspects of estate planning, including guiding clients with family-owned businesses on succession planning, assisting with their philanthropic goals, and preparing plans for traditional, non-traditional, and blended families. Through the use of sophisticated planning techniques, she helps her clients prepare for successful wealth transfers between generations and minimize their tax exposure in all areas: federal estate and gift taxation, federal and state income taxation, and California property taxation. A significant part of her practice involves advising LGBTQ+ individuals and families, and she is a frequent author and speaker on this topic and many others relating to estate planning, business succession, and trust administration.
Brooke is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law and was selected by the publishers of Super Lawyers Magazine and San Francisco Magazine as one of Northern California’s “Rising Stars” for 2015-2018. She has an LL.M. in Taxation and is admitted to practice in California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Practice Areas
Certification/Specialties
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, Certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
Bar Admissions
California 2010
Pennsylvania 2006
New Jersey 2006
Education
Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, PA
LL.M. in Taxation (2008)
J.D. (2006)
Honors: The Faculty Award in Taxation (LL.M.)
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
B.A. in Political Science (2000)
Classes/Seminars Taught
- The Bar Association of San Francisco: “Planning for Companion Animals: Estate Planning Tips for the ‘Furry Children’,” Conference, October 2019
- Continuing Education of the Bar (“CEB”): “An Overview of Gift Planning,” December 2018
- City National Bank/Royal Bank of Canada: “November Trust Forum: Trends in Estate Planning,” Co-Speaker, November 2018
- Berkeley East Bay Humane Society, “Providing for Your Pet’s Future Without You & Estate Planning Tips,” October 2017
- East Bay Trusts & Estates Lawyers, Estate Planning Boot Camp, “The Revocable Trust,” Co-Speaker, September 2017
- National Business Institute, Probate Boot Camp, “Income & Estate Tax Concepts,” “Statutory Protections for Family Members,” and “Probating an Estate that Includes a Business” Sessions, December 2016
- East Bay Trusts & Estates Lawyers, Trust Administration Boot Camp, “Similarities and Differences in Trust Administration for Single versus Married Settlors,” September 2016
- San Francisco Business Times, Annual Family Business Strategies Summit 2016, Conference Panel, July 2016
- CEB: “Crossover Issues in Estate Planning & Family Law,” Conference Panel, May 2016
- Guide Dogs for the Blind: Estate Planning Conference, “Planning for Single Clients, Same-Sex Couples & Smaller Estates; Pour-Over Wills” Session, April 2016
- CEB: Estate Planning Basics Conference, “How to Administer a Revocable Trust” Session, September 2015
- CEB: “How to Administer a Revocable Trust,” Co-Speaker, April 2015
- East Bay Tax Club: “Portability—Worth All The Fuss?,” Co-Speaker, November 2013
- Bell Investments Advisors Women’s Roundtable, “Giving with a Plan,” Conference Panel, 2013
- “Charitable Gifting: Overview of Tax Considerations for Lifetime and Testamentary Gifts”, Performing Arts Workshop – Donor Reception, 2010
Professional Associations and Memberships
Professional Advisors Council, Horizons Foundation
Council Member, 2018 – current
* Member of Horizons Foundation Professional Advisors Network
Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF)
Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Section, 2018 – current (Section Chair, 2019 – 2020)
Taxation Section, 2018 – current
California Lawyers Association
Trusts and Estates Section, 2010 – current
Taxation Section, 2012 – current
East Bay Trusts & Estates Lawyers (EBTEL), 2012 – 2018 (Section Co-Chair, Estate Planning & Administration Committee, 2015 – 2016)
East Bay Estate Planning Council, 2012 – 2017
East Bay Tax Club, 2012 – 2016
Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF), 2011-2015
Philadelphia Bar Association, Probate and Trust Law Section, 2007-2009
Legislative Committee, 2007-2009
Chair, Subcommittee on the Pennsylvania Assisted Reproductive Technology Act, 2009
Executive Committee: Legislative Committee Representative, 2009
Philadelphia Bar Association, LGBT Rights Committee, 2008-2009
Pro Bono Activities / Community Involvement
Berkeley East-Bay Humane Society, Volunteer & Member the Board of Directors from 2011-2014
