RICHARD BURGER, ATTORNEY AT LAW

Richard Burger is certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He holds a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (1983) and a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Music, from Sonoma State University (1979).

Richard began his practice in the areas of estate planning, trusts and probate in 1988, having spent the majority of those years as a solo practitioner (practicing under the name the Law Office of Richard Burger). He is widely recognized within and beyond California as an expert in the field, whose sophistication in legal and tax planning is matched by his warmth, integrity, humor and pragmatism.

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ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
• Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
• Recognized as a Northern California “Super Lawyer” each year since 2006 by San Francisco Magazine
• Rated “AV” (highest rating) in Martindale Hubbell
• Served on the Executive Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the State Bar of California (2002 to 2008)
• Editor, Executive Editor, California Trust and Estates Quarterly (2003-2005)
• Contributing author to the following publications:
  
  
  • “California Estate Planning” (California Continuing Education of the Bar)
  • “Crossover Issues in Estate Planning and Family Law” (California Continuing Education of the Bar)
  • “Estate Planning for Special Assets” (California Continuing Education of the Bar)

JEFFREY PIERCE, ATTORNEY AT LAW

Jeff was admitted to practice law in 2013. He holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School (2013), a Master of Divinity from Yale University School of Divinity (2006), and a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in Biology, from Duke University (2001).

Jeff joined Richard in 2023 to form Burger & Pierce LLP after working with a highly regarded estate planning boutique law firm in Santa Rosa. Richard selected Jeff as his partner owing to Jeff’s legal and intellectual acumen on the one hand and his integrity, compassion, and emotional intelligence on the other.

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ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS:

• Recognized as a Northern California “Rising Star” in the Super Lawyers issue of San Francisco Magazine
• Director of Enforcement, San Francisco Ethics Commission (2018-2021)
• Judicial Clerk, Judge Joan Donoghue, International Court of Justice, The Hague, The Netherlands (2011)
• Executive Editor, Stanford Journal of Animal Law & Policy (2011-2013)
• Department Chair, Religious Studies, Mercersburg Academy (2006-2009)
• Fullbright Fellow, Eswatini (Kingdom of Swaziland), Southern Africa (2002-2003)

JULIA GANDOLFO-MONK

Julia oversees the funding of clients’ trusts and the many demanding issues related to trust administration, probate, and related proceedings. In particular she handles real estate transfers, the titling of financial assets, and the coordination of beneficiary designations to ensure that clients’ assets are properly titled and clients’ estate plans are properly implemented.

JANIE KORBEL

Janie is the heart of Burger & Pierce LLP’s client-facing efforts. Janie now handles mostly document preparation and client communication.