Susan von Herrmann guides individuals, couples and families in preserving their wealth with plans that reflect their values and vision for the next generation and the legacies they wish to build. Her practice involves advice and representation in all aspects of personal planning, trusts, estates, tax, estate administration and related disputes.

Susan advises clients on strategies for minimizing estate and gift tax liabilities and charitable planned giving. Her clients include traditional, nontraditional and multigenerational families, technology company senior executives, founders and leaders of hedge, venture, capital and investment funds, partners in professional service firms and individuals with inherited wealth. Business succession planning and fiduciary representation are also part of Susan’s background.

Personal planning for same-sex couples is a practice concentration for Susan. She has been working with gay and lesbian couples and families since the emergence of partner rights in California and is continuing her legal leadership in this area since the passage of marriage equality protections. Susan’s counsel also includes advising LGBT families on premarital issues and newly available personal planning protections.

As many of Susan’s clients have multiple residences, global lifestyles and sophisticated cross-border concerns, she offers a wide-ranging perspective to address varying international laws and customs in the trust and estate context.

Susan has spoken extensively about trusts and estate planning protections for same-sex couples, LGBT families and blended families. She sits on the board of trustees of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, and as a member of its development committee, she co-leads its planned giving efforts.