Confidential consultation · (415) 448-7778
Estate Planning / Living Trusts

We understand. We're investors too.

"We understand. We're investors too." — firm presents itself as peer-level counsel for real estate investors; secondary claim of being aggressive, creative trial attorneys.

01 · Practice areas

What we handle, in clinical scope.

We are not a high-volume firm. Each matter we accept is reviewed and staffed at the partner level, and we limit the practice to the areas below so that the work we do is thorough.

Practice 01

Estate Planning / Living Trusts

Estate Planning / Living Trusts. Each matter is reviewed and staffed at the partner level. Careful preparation, expert review, and the time the work requires.

Scope of work Records review · liability investigation · expert coordination · settlement & trial.
Practice 02

Probate / Court Proceedings

Probate / Court Proceedings. Each matter is reviewed and staffed at the partner level. Careful preparation, expert review, and the time the work requires.

Scope of work Records review · liability investigation · expert coordination · settlement & trial.
Practice 03

Post-Death Trust Administration

Post-Death Trust Administration. Each matter is reviewed and staffed at the partner level. Careful preparation, expert review, and the time the work requires.

Scope of work Records review · liability investigation · expert coordination · settlement & trial.
Practice 04

Commercial Real Estate Transactions

Commercial Real Estate Transactions. Each matter is reviewed and staffed at the partner level. Careful preparation, expert review, and the time the work requires.

Scope of work Records review · liability investigation · expert coordination · settlement & trial.
02 · Attorneys

Every matter is staffed by a partner, not by an associate.

You will know who is handling your case before you sign a fee agreement. You will have their direct line.

Michelle Lerman

Founding Partner / Of Counsel (CunninghamLegal) · Estate Planning / Living Trusts, Probate / Court Proceedings

Michelle leads the firm's matter intake and partner staffing. Each case proceeds with the time it requires; nothing is rushed for volume.

AV Preeminent (4.5–5.0) — Martindale-Hubbell peer review · Super Lawyers designation (partners) · Avvo highest peer rating · Michelle Lerman: #1 Favorite Attorney Marin/Sonoma — J. Weekly News, 2007

Phil Diamond

Attorney · Estate Planning / Living Trusts, Probate / Court Proceedings

Phil represents clients across the firm's practice areas with careful preparation and direct client contact at every stage.

AV Preeminent (4.5–5.0) — Martindale-Hubbell peer review · Super Lawyers designation (partners) · Avvo highest peer rating · Michelle Lerman: #1 Favorite Attorney Marin/Sonoma — J. Weekly News, 2007

Sarah Kern

Attorney · Estate Planning / Living Trusts, Probate / Court Proceedings

Sarah represents clients across the firm's practice areas with careful preparation and direct client contact at every stage.

AV Preeminent (4.5–5.0) — Martindale-Hubbell peer review · Super Lawyers designation (partners) · Avvo highest peer rating · Michelle Lerman: #1 Favorite Attorney Marin/Sonoma — J. Weekly News, 2007

Dylan Recht

Attorney · Estate Planning / Living Trusts, Probate / Court Proceedings

Dylan represents clients across the firm's practice areas with careful preparation and direct client contact at every stage.

AV Preeminent (4.5–5.0) — Martindale-Hubbell peer review · Super Lawyers designation (partners) · Avvo highest peer rating · Michelle Lerman: #1 Favorite Attorney Marin/Sonoma — J. Weekly News, 2007
03 · What to expect

The first year, in four parts.

Most matters resolve within twelve to twenty-four months. The path is rarely linear. The four phases below are how we structure the work, and how we communicate with you about it.

i

Intake & review

Confidential consultation. We review records, request additional documents, and decide together whether to proceed. No fee.

ii

Investigation

Liability and damages workup. Expert retention. Pre-suit demand or filing, depending on the matter.

iii

Litigation

Discovery, depositions, motion practice. We prepare every case for trial, including those that will not see one.

iv

Resolution

Mediation or trial. Distribution. Lien resolution. We close every file with a written final accounting.

04 · From clients

Reviews from prior clients, used with their written permission.

"
It’s difficult to put into words how pleased my brother and I are with our experience with Lerman Law Partners. My parents passed away 6 weeks apart this past fall, and we turned to Lerman Law to administer their trust (which Lerman Law had set up). We worked with Sarah Kern and Anitra Compos, and they were great. There were a few unique challenges we faced due to the timing of my parents passi...
Robert Kelly · Prior client
"
I recently worked with Sarah Kern to create an estate plan from scratch and cannot recommend her highly enough. I have been putting off creating an estate plan for years because of uncertainty and general anxiety around the whole topic. I found Sarah to be reassuring, non-judgmental and generous with her time. She very helpfully explained the process and the decisions I needed to consider. I h...
Santi Walker · Prior client
Where we represent

CA. Limited practice, deliberate review.

The firm is licensed in CA and accepts matters across the listed counties. When a matter falls outside our practice we will say so directly and, when we can, refer you to a firm we trust.

San RafaelC
San FranciscoC
Marin CountyC
Sonoma CountyC
05 · Speak with us

A confidential conversation about your case.

We will return your call within one business day. If we are not the right firm for the matter, we will say so directly and, when we can, refer you to someone we trust.

Accessibility. Our office at 899 Northgate Drive Suite 307 is fully accessible, with elevator access, accessible restrooms, and reserved parking. We can also conduct consultations by phone, video, or in your home or care facility.