Hopkins & Carley Strengthens Family Wealth & Tax Planning Department

April 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Hopkins & Carley, one of Northern California's leading law firms for businesses and high-net-worth individuals, expanded its Family Wealth & Tax Planning Department with the addition of nationally recognized estate planning and tax attorney Francis W. Dubreuil. Formerly a national managing director of Bernstein Global Wealth Management, Dubreuil joins as a shareholder in the firm's Palo Alto office. Hopkins & Carley also named Charles H. Packer co-chair of the practice. Packer joins renowned estate planning attorney James V. Quillinan to lead the efforts of the firm's growing practice, one of the largest family wealth and tax planning departments in California.

"Our Family Wealth & Tax Planning Department is comprised of some of the most talented legal practitioners in the field and adding someone of Frank's caliber to our roster broadens the firm's capacity to extend our presence in Silicon Valley and beyond," said Bill Klein, managing shareholder of Hopkins & Carley. "Furthermore, under the leadership of Jim and Chuck, we will be able to more efficiently manage the growing needs of the practice through both our San Jose and Palo Alto offices."

"Hopkins & Carley's reputation for excellence in estate planning is well-deserved and I have long admired the skills of their attorneys and their commitment to clients and the community," added Dubreuil. "With recent developments in the law and a strengthening economy, this is an exciting time to practice in this area. I look forward to working with some of the best estate planning professionals in the field, while also having access to talented colleagues in other specialty areas of the firm that will enable me to offer my clients a comprehensive range of sophisticated legal services."

The addition of Dubreuil follows the arrival of six Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Roasati wealth management attorneys, including one of the leading experts in the field Pete LaBoskey, who joined the firm's Palo Alto office last year. "The successful integration of the Wilson team combined with Frank's talent and credentials further solidifies Hopkins & Carley's position as the go-to firm for family wealth and tax planning," added Klein. To accommodate the firm's rapid growth in Palo Alto, Hopkins & Carley will be expanding its office space, which is currently located at 435 Tasso Street.

About Francis Dubreuil:

Prior to his position at Bernstein Global Wealth Management, Dubreuil was a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., where he was a member of the estate planning practice and served as chairman of the firm's tax services group. Before Wilson Sonsini he was a partner with the Boston law firm Goodwin Procter, LLP, where he served as chairman of the estate planning and private business groups and as a member of the firm's executive committee. Dubreuil counsels high-net-worth individuals and families on sophisticated estate planning and complex tax issues associated with managing, preserving and protecting wealth. He also advises clients on trust and estate administration and charitable giving. Dubreuil is widely recognized as a thought leader in the development of multigenerational wealth transfer strategies and planning for venture capital and private equity investors.

A fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Dubreuil has been listed in Best Lawyers in America. He has also been recognized as one of the top wealth management lawyers in the country by Chambers U.S.A. and Worth Magazine. Dubreuil serves in an advisory capacity for a number of not-for-profit organizations, including the KQED Planned Giving Advisory Council, Tech Museum of Innovation Professional Advisors Council and Lucile Packard Children's Foundation Advisors' Council. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School (1974), his M.S. from Stanford University Graduate School of Business (1990) and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Boston College (1970), where he was named a Scholar of the College in Economics.

About Charles Packer:

Packer, a shareholder in the Palo Alto office, counsels clients in regard to strategic estate, gift and philanthropic tax planning. In addition to serving as co-chair of the Family Wealth & Tax Planning Practice, he leads the firm's legal services for the wine and viticulture industry. Packer also co-chairs the planning committee of the Jerry A. Kasner Estate Planning Symposium sponsored by the Santa Clara University School of Law and chair's the Professional Advisors Council for the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. He earned his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law 1980, his M.B.A. from Santa Clara University 1980 and his B.S. from University of California, Irvine 1976.

About Hopkins & Carley:

Hopkins & Carley is the largest law firm based in San Jose, meeting the legal needs of high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, business owners, and growth and midsize companies in a variety of industries for over 40 years. With offices in San Jose, Palo Alto, and Burbank, Hopkins & Carley specializes in the areas of litigation; real estate; employment; estate planning; and corporate, tax and business transactions. For additional information, visit the firm's Web site at http://www.hopkinscarley.com.