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Elizabeth is a partner in the private client and tax team.
She is a skilled estate and charitable tax attorney with a proven track record of guiding clients through complex wealth transitions with advice that is clear, creative and enduring. As a partner in the trust, estate and charities team at Withers Bergman LLP, she specializes in crafting tailored strategies that address a wide range of estate planning needs, from basic estate and incapacity planning to advanced techniques for minimizing tax burdens and preserving family legacies. Beyond her legal acumen, Elizabeth is known for her ability to build strong relationships with clients and provide personalized guidance. Her compassionate approach and keen understanding of complex legal matters make her a trusted advisor for individuals and families seeking to navigate the complexities of estate planning and charitable giving.Elizabeth's expertise extends to philanthropy, where she assists individuals and organizations in establishing meaningful charitable foundations, structuring major and planned gifts, and navigating the complexities of charitable giving. She is particularly passionate about helping clients identify and develop philanthropic initiatives that align with their values and make a lasting impact. In addition to her work with individuals and families, Elizabeth provides comprehensive legal counsel to charitable organizations. She assists in structuring charitable organizations, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and navigating the complexities of fundraising, donor relationships and gift structuring and administration. Her deep understanding of the legal landscape enables her to provide practical guidance and support to nonprofits of all sizes.
Elizabeth's dedication to education is evident in her role as adjunct faculty at the UCLA School of Law, where she teaches Estate and Gift Tax, Estate Planning, and Wills & Trusts. She is also faculty of the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies Certified Specialist in Planned Giving program. By sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of legal and gift planning professionals, Elizabeth continues to drive innovation and excellence in the field.
Elizabeth serves as Chair of the board of the Heifer International Foundation and as a member of the board of Heifer Project International, whose mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth, achieved by providing livestock, training, and related services to small-scale farmers and communities.
Recent recognition
Me in a minute
Giving back is an important personal value
I drafted my first legal agreement at age seven, a contract to become the first female 3rd baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers (I may have forged Tommy Lasorda's signature on that contract, but can assure you I am now completely reformed from such behavior). A career in professional baseball did not pan out for me, but a career in the law did.
Prior to law school I worked for a number of lawyers with different legal specialties. Observing their work led me to focus my practice in work with individuals, their families and their philanthropies.
I am grateful to have skills and knowledge to help people in difficult transitions - the incapacity or death of a loved one, the settlement of affairs with siblings, and the understanding of complex tax and trust administration matters.
Teaching law students in the area of estate and gift tax is something that I love. It keeps me in touch with the next generation of lawyers and requires me to constantly expand my knowledge. The ability to explain complex concepts and procedures clearly is a hallmark of my work with clients, and teaching gives me continuing opportunity to further develop this ability.
Giving back is an important personal value. I am able to do this through my direct work with charities and other tax exempt organizations. I also enjoy helping my individual clients realize greater impact with their giving and collaborating to strengthen nonprofits in partnership with them.