Jennifer Rissier

Counsel / Los Angeles

Jennifer Rissier is Counsel in the Private Client Services Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

  • Full Bio

    Jennifer focuses her practice on estate planning, trust administration, and trust litigation. She enjoys helping individuals create estate plans that fit their specific needs. Her goal is to simplify the estate planning process and educate clients on California laws to create personalized estate plans, including advising on transferring business interests. In addition, Jennifer provides a calming presence to loved ones confronted by the loss of their family member during a trust administration that includes straightforward advice to individual and institutional Trustees.  Jennifer’s expertise includes all aspects of litigation in the area of trust and estates which informs her advice to her clients in the planning and administration stages.

    Prior to joining SGR, Jennifer was an attorney at several Firms in the Los Angeles area, and started her legal career at a litigation law firm focusing on elder abuse litigation.  Jennifer managed her own practice which focused on wills and trusts from 2013-2022.

    Jennifer holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley. She received her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law.

  • Representative Experience

    • Represented four sisters in challenge by the Trustee brother to the handling of trust assets after their mother’s death. Matter successfully resolved through mediation, with family relationships remaining intact.
    • Defended an Executor against claims from adult children of a prior marriage who alleged that the executor did not properly administer the estate. Matter successfully resolved through negotiation.
    • Represented an Institutional Trustee in administering a Trust with combatant beneficiaries who lived outside of California.

  • Bar Admissions

    California

  • Education

    Undergraduate
    • University of California, Berkeley

    Law School
    • University of San Diego School of Law

  • Memberships

    YMCA, Board Member, Anderson Munger Branch, 2021-present

    Heart of Los Angeles, Gala Committee Member, 2022

    Marlborough Parent Association, 2020-present

    Loyola High School, Loyola Mother’s Guild luncheon chair, Hancock Park, 2020, 2021

    Girls Academic Leadership Academy, Walkathon Chair, 2018-2020

    St. Brendan’s Parent Association, 2015-2018, Walkathon Chair

    Friends of Third, Third Street Parent Board, 2010-17, President, 2012-14, Walkathon Chair 2013-17

  • SGR Publications