Sussan H. Shore

Sussan H. Shore designs and implements multi-generational estate plans for high net worth clients, and oversees the administration of estates and trusts. For over 40 years, she has helped clients fulfill their goals to care for their families, meet charitable giving objectives and reduce estate taxes. Sussan has great compassion for her clients, quickly earning their trust through her patient approach, practical advice and straightforward communication. She is non-judgmental and creative, resolving the unique needs of clients in complex alternative and blended family structures as readily as those in traditional families.

As a certified specialist in Probate, Estate Planning and Trust Law by the California Board of Legal Specialization, Sussan’s practice spans the continuum from establishing an estate plan to the administration of estates and trusts. She represents fiduciaries, beneficiaries and court-supervised conservatorships and has a strong track record challenging tax authorities. When disputes arise among family members concerning estates and trusts, Sussan helps guide the parties toward resolution by focusing on the drivers behind the controversies.

Sussan is dedicated to sharing her deep knowledge of estate planning, trust and probate law with other attorneys and professionals. She has taught Estate Planning at UCLA Extension for more than thirty years, earning the coveted “Distinguished Instructor” award in 2008. Sussan also frequently lectures at estate planning institutes, and has authored technical publications on estate planning strategies. A leader in the field, Sussan is the past chairperson of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Trust & Estates Section and she served as Chairwoman of the Probate, Trust & Estate Planning Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association.

As a reflection of the quality of her work, Sussan’s peers have elected her a fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) since 1996. As trust and estate counselors, ACTEC fellows demonstrate the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence and experience in the nation, and have made substantial contributions to the field through writing, teaching and bar leadership activities. Additionally, Sussan’s peers and clients have awarded her the rating “AV® Preeminent™ 5.0/5.0” on Martindale-Hubbell. She has been listed as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” in the area of Trusts and Estates by Best Lawyers since 1995, and has been named a “Southern California Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers® since 2004. Super Lawyers® also continues to name her one of the “Top 50 Women Southern California Super Lawyers” and one of the “Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers.”

Education

• J.D., Loyola Law School, 1976
• B.A., History, University of California, Los Angeles, 1973
  • Honors: cum laude

Certification

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of California, 1976
• U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1977
• U.S. Tax Court, 1977
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1991

Professional Associations & Memberships

• American College of Trusts & Estates Counsel: 1996 – present
  • Fellow
• American Bar Association
  •  Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
• California Lawyers Association
  • Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Section
• Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Trusts & Estate Section, Chairperson, 1994 – 1995
  • Subcommittee on Probate Volunteer Panel System, Co-Chair, 1993 – 1996
• Beverly Hills Bar Association,
  •  Probate, Trust & Estate Planning Section, Chairperson, 1985 – 1986
• Beverly Hills Estate Planning Council Member
• USC Probate & Trust Conference
  • Planning Committee Member
• Jewish Community Foundation
  •  Legal Advisory Committee Member
• Managing Partners Roundtable Member
• Stephen Wise Temple Board Member, 2003 – 2018

Speaking & Teaching

Teaching Positions

Media & Publications

Publications

• Major Tax Planning 2018, USC Gould School of Law Seventieth Institute on Federal Taxation, November 2018
• Minimizing the Impact of the Ballooning QTIP, USC School of Law Fifty-Third Institute on Federal Taxation – Major Tax Planning, 2001
• Charitable Remainder Trusts: Tools for making the Most of your Philanthropic Assets Upon Retirement, UCLA-CEB Estate Planning Institute, 1996
• Probate and Trust Notebook, USC Annual Probate and Trust Conference, 1994 – Present
• Outright Noncharitable Gifts, co-author, Continuing Education of the Bar, 3rd Edition, 1992

Published Decisions

Honors & Awards

• “The Best Lawyers in America®,” Best Lawyers, 1995-Present
• “Leaders in Their Field – Private Wealth,” Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Guide, 2019-Present
• “AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 / 5.0” Peer Review Rated and Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®
• “Southern California Super Lawyers,” Super Lawyers, 2004-Present
• “Top 50 Women Southern California Super Lawyers,” Super Lawyers, 2005-2020
• “Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers,” Super Lawyers, 2009-2015, 2017-2020
• “Five Star Professional – Estate Planning Attorney,” Los Angeles, 2014
• “Distinguished Instructor,” UCLA Extension, 2008
• “Most Influential Women Lawyers,” Los Angeles Business Journal, 2019