Vanessa Terzian is knowledgeable, professional, and a pleasure to work with. She made the trust process straightforward and gave us confidence every step of the way. Highly recommend! read more

We would never hire Jaime Gonzalez or the firm Lagerlof LLP again. Our experience was one of the most stressful and costly situations we have ever gone through. We hired Ms. Gonzalez because she emphasized her decades of probate litigation experience. We expected strategic guidance, preparation, and strong trial advocacy. Instead, the representation often felt disorganized, reactive, and far more expensive than we anticipated. We believe we were originally quoted approximately $100,000 for trial and $50,000 for mediation, which we documented in notes at the time. However, our final legal bill exceeded $300,000. Some of the charges that concerned us included large amounts of travel time billed at full attorney rates, multiple attorneys billing for what appeared to be overlapping work, subscription and research platform charges passed through to us, and substantial hours billed by associates and junior staff despite retaining the firm for senior probate trial expertise. What was especially upsetting to us was our impression, after reviewing transcripts and emails ourselves, that there did not appear to have been significant formal settlement efforts before trial despite the enormous legal fees incurred. From our review of the transcripts, it appeared there may only have been limited informal settlement discussions rather than any formal mediation, written settlement proposal, or structured attempt to resolve the matter before trial. A few days before trial, we also received an email asking whether we wanted to discuss settlement "now," despite prior indications that settlement discussions had already occurred. That left us confused about what settlement efforts had actually taken place. Instead of confidently directing the case, Ms. Gonzalez often asked us what we thought should happen next. We frequently were told issues would be addressed or researched, but there often did not appear to be meaningful follow through. We often felt unusually involved in managing aspects of the litigation while simultaneously paying significant attorney rates. From our perspective, trial strategy continued focusing heavily on the wording of the trust document even though we believed the court had already indicated that approach was unlikely to succeed. Reading the minute orders, hearing transcripts, and briefs, it appeared to us that the court was not receptive to many of these repeated arguments. At the heart of the case was the trust drafting attorney, whose testimony was central to the outcome. In our opinion, there were issues we believed raised credibility concerns, including what we viewed as potential conflict issues involving the drafting attorney. However, the cross-examination appeared to focus primarily on arguments that he "did not know what he was doing," which the court ultimately did not accept. We left trial feeling unconvinced that this witness had been challenged as effectively as we expected. We also became concerned about procedural issues throughout the case. Our witnesses were excluded before trial because they allegedly had not been properly disclosed during discovery. The transcript reflected statements suggesting we were responsible for the issue even though we had emails showing we provided witness information and were told discovery responses would be handled by counsel (which we were charged for). As a result, we went into a trial centered on extrinsic evidence with effectively no witnesses of our own. We later learned from appellate counsel that making an offer of proof after the witness exclusion may have been important for preserving appellate issues. We were surprised to later understand how significant that issue could potentially become on appeal. At one point, the court also held a hearing with Ms. Gonzalez regarding failures related to timely filing exhibit lists and compliance with court rules. To us, the repeated explanations involving missed emails, discovery confusion, and filing problems began to undermine our confidence in the representation. In the end, we lost the case, faced exposure to the opposing side's attorney fees, which we do not recall being advised could happen, and were left with over $300,000 in legal bills. We also met with Ms. Gonzalez afterward in an attempt to discuss concerns regarding the legal bill. At that meeting, she stated she would discuss the matter with the partners and get back to us. We never heard back. Unfortunately, that lack of follow through felt consistent with what we experienced throughout our case. We ultimately walked away feeling disappointed, frustrated by the costs, and lacking confidence in the representation we received. Based on our experience, we would personally not hire this attorney or firm again and would encourage others to carefully review billing practices, litigation strategy, and communication expectations before retaining counsel. read more

After my mother passed away, we contacted Lagerlof, the firm that originally created her living trust. We followed up by email for three weeks with no response. When we finally called to ask if this was normal, we were met with an unexpectedly dismissive and unprofessional attitude from Victoria Mawhinney, assistant to managing partner Josh Driskell. When I mentioned that even a simple message of condolence and acknowledgment would have been appreciated, she actually scoffed. Her tone was cold and completely lacking in empathy--something you'd expect to be fundamental for a firm handling sensitive estate matters. She also told us that we were "not current clients" because we hadn't contracted additional work, even though our call was specifically to discuss future business. When we asked to speak to her superior, we were told that speaking with the managing partner would require a $250 consultation fee, meaning there was essentially no recourse for the way we were treated other than posting this review. Overall, our experience left us shocked, disappointed, and dismayed at the lack of care and professionalism. I'm sharing this so others can make informed decisions when choosing a firm for estate planning or trust matters. read more

Our Water District has worked with Lagerlof and specifically with Mr. James Ciampa for several years, and we are very pleased with the service provided. Mr. Ciampa has consistently offered knowledgeable, professional, and timely legal guidance on matters important to our District. His expertise in public agency and water law has been vital in helping us navigate both routine and complex issues. The firm's support has given us confidence that our District's best interests are always represented. Overall, we are very satisfied with the service provided by Mr. Ciampa and the firm, and we would highly recommend them to any public agency seeking reliable and experienced legal counsel. read more

They charge for every second. $30 to read a 2 sentence email. The 2 sentence response to that email, $30. Question the invoice $360. They switch attorneys & charge for that. The inter office exchanges between lawyer & paralegal is charged. So you wind up paying twice for their office to pass information along. They even bill when they mess up. If you need a litigator they might be worth the price otherwise find a lawyer who cares about you not changing by the second. read more

Nick Everett is an amazing attorney and anyone trying to navigate trust/probate law should look no further. This is long overdue for me to right this. My only regret of hiring him and Lagerlof was not doing it sooner. This type of law is complicated and can get personal so getting an expert in it was so important. read more

We had the privilege to work with Vanessa Terzian at Lagerlof, LLP. Having never done this before, Vanessa was welcoming and supportive. She was communicative and never left us hanging. Vanessa and her staff answered our questions, and walked us through this process. Never an easy discussion to have about protecting our assets and planning for the future, Vanessa made us feel at ease. She was completely trustworthy and discrete. We highly recommend Vanessa Terzian for planning your financial future and protecting your assets. We can't imagine working with anyone else. read more

This review is long overdue and everyone needs to know how wonderful Nick Everett, Lacey Andrusenki and Kalen Tolces are. We needed a will and trust law attorney and were referred to Lagerloff by Diana Carloni and Mary Madison Campbell. It is so important to find someone trustworthy and Mary and Diana led me to Lagerloff. I don't know Diana personally, but I know Mary and they both went to bat for me. Our results were incredible and relieved my Mother of a very troubling situation. They made the procedure relatable and understandable, we always felt supported. We definitely got what we paid for and more. I would recommend them and this firm to anyone that needs help. They are very good and wise!! Just wish they were closer. Thank YOU!! read more

I needed personal and professional legal services, and Lagerlof had the breadth to cover all my issues and the depth to understand what needed to be done. In particular, working with Dena Klotz who was able to help figure out a complex real estate situation. In addition, the follow through by Kris Benavidez made it easy to get all the necessary documentation completed. Thank you! read more

Estate planning is the apex of #adulting. With that said, I highly recommend working with Vanessa Terzian to construct an estate plan to suit your family needs regardless of the magnitude of your assets. Should we meet perilous times, it is best to have legal support in order so we can bypass lines at the Clerk of the County Court and other red tape. In perilous times, we shouldn't need to prove ownership of our homes, money/banking, and assets, and should instead be able to focus our efforts on more pressing matters, whatever they may be. Though the cost may feel pricey, Lagerlof's services are comprehensive and worth their weight in gold, and I cannot recommend Vanessa and her team more. She is compassionate, supportive, and strong. Simply put, I admire Vanessa, and am grateful for her support in planning and legally structuring my family's affairs. Having a will is not enough to keep you out of bureaucratic red tape, and this is where estate planning comes into play. Having an estate plan is that necessary structure, and you'll know with certainty that in the darkest times thing will go smoothly and according to plan; the plan you prescribe as a family. It also removes ambiguity from the hands of family members who may be inclined toward disagreement and litigation that could further prolong pain and suffering. You're in good hands with Vanessa and the team at Lagerlof, LLP. read more

I am a corporation owner working in multiple states and needed some help sorting out some complicated employee tax issues. I reached out to Lagerlof, LLP based on a personal recommendation. I had the pleasure of working with Daniel Sullivan and can't tell you how grateful I and my company are for his support. He was incredibly quick to respond, knowledgeable, kind and personable, and helped me resolve a stressful situation quickly. I couldn't recommend him and the firm more highly. read more

For establishing a family trust, Vanessa Terzian and her staff at Lagerlof are terrific. They are responsive, organized, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. read more

We worked with Vanessa T on our estate plan and can't speak highly enough about her, the process, her firm and the final result. We did extensive research on estate attorneys for a fairly complicated estate and ultimately decided on Vanessa. She's smart, personable, relatable, and an expert in her trade. the flat fee pricing structure and overall cost were fair and in line with the high quality of work. The glowing reviews on Yelp are spot on and we can't recommend her enough. read more

I was extremely disappointed with the service, lack of follow through, forgotten meetings via phone, and lost/misplaced phone numbers. Josh was professional and knowledgeable on the phone, but the counsel he assigned to our legal issue was absolutely terrible. We let them go and found another attorney. read more

I have been a long time customer of Vanessa Terzian from her local La Canada office and followed her to Lagerlof, LLP. She handled my family trust and I will be forever grateful for her professionalism, ability to explain the complicated terms, and honesty. I want to note that both offices were organized and expedited my needs. Vanessa has always been prompt in email replies, recommendations that I needed, and offered educational webinars through the years. I highly recommend Vanessa Terzian for all of your estate planning needs because you are in the best hands with her. read more

Vanessa and the team were very thorough in the handling of our trust. They were quick, efficient and kind!

Very lucky to have been referred to Vanessa Terzian by a good friend to handle our trust. She's been so wonderful to work with. We truly appreciate how thorough she was at explaining all the complexities around trusts, helping us think through all the options and potential outcomes so that we could make decisions best for our family. Her whole team has been extremely communicative and respectful of our time. Highly recommend her! read more

Vanessa Terzian handled my late father's estate and our family's estate planning. She is extremely knowledgeable, thorough, and caring. The process was very efficient and stress-free! read more

We saw our lawyer, Vanessa Terzian, to review our wills that she prepared over 3 years ago. At that time she was not part of Lagerof but joined this group in the past year and relocated to a lovely Lake Ave location. We actually found her originally through excellent Yelp reviews after moving here from out of state. Although we initially thought the charge for will was a little high, we appreciated her policy of reviewing our wills every 3 years for no additional charge. She contacted us to remind us that 3 years had passed and set up a helpful hour long meeting. Again we found her helpful with useful suggestions for future planning. We highly recommend her for being accessible and professional. read more

We would like to thank Daniel Sullivan for your guidance on our Trust documentation and implementation You and the Team at Lagerlof were a pleasure to work with and you made it easy for my wife and I to understand the complexities of the Trust and documentation. Thanks again, you were extremely professional and a pleasure to work with. read more

I found Vanessa Terzian via Yelp and reached out to her by email. Vanessa responded within the same day. Vanessa's team at Lagerlof communicates very well and the process of setting up Zoom meetings and exchange of information is very efficient and smooth. Thanks to Shannon and Bryce. Vanessa is very knowledgeable and professional. She patiently clarifies our many questions. She is very easy to work with. Highly recommend her team. read more

Went into the office today to sign paperwork to transfer my parent's property into the family Trust. Mr. Brian Phelps was fantastic, as was his Paralegal, Dawn Elachi. Since we commenced this process, Brian was always accessible and he took his time to answer all of our questions. I recommend Brian for you estate planning needs. If all attorneys at Lagerlof operate in this manner, I can assure you that you are in good hands. read more

Lagerlof Law Firm in Pasadena deserves a 10 star review. I highly recommend Joshua Driskel at Lagerlof Law. Joshua represented our borrower in a recent 1.75 Million real estate transaction in Silver Lake CA. This was my first time working with an attorney in real estate transaction. I was pleasantly surprised by his nice demeanor (not that I know a lot of mean attorneys lol). He had an impeccable attention to detail and possessed great problem solving skills, this coupled with his quick response times we were an instant match. I think it was his help with the appraisal that saved the day too. I will be referring him out when I can. If you visit his website there's a super cool history of the firm and all the attorneys that have ever been partners. It started way back in LA in 1906. They were once in the Rowan building downtown. The company is rich with history, they say they have over 1000 years of combined attorney experience. I am into History so this particularly interested me. Coincidentally Joshua is a history buff and sits on the Pasadena Museum of History Board. Joshua's company does so many things we need help with like obviously Real Estate Law, Estate Planning, Corporate and Tax Law etc. We are looking forward to a long relationship with Lagerlof Law Firm. read more

Vanessa Terzian and her team prepared my trust and were wonderful to work with. They promptly answered any questions I had and responded promptly to any inquiries. They patiently explained the entire process and everything went smoothly. The experience was painless and has provided me with some peace of mind. I highly recommend Vanessa and her team. read more

Very bad experience with William Kruz &, very disappointed by his way to make money...

Lagerlof, LLP is a wonderful law firm that is deeply committed to the community it serves. As a nonprofit organization, we have had first class interactions with members of the Lagerlof team. They have given us excellent guidance, have been supportive through serving on our board of directors and supporting The Foundation for Living Beauty through their Lagerlof Cares arm. They are a great asset to the community, well-versed in many areas of law and extremely responsive. We are grateful for their support! read more

Highly recommend! My wife & I chose Josh Driskell for our estate planning documents based on his terrific reviews (several legal websites) - which are all very well-deserved! Josh is organized and knowledgable. He explained everything in detail and answered all of our questions and concerns. And he did a great job preparing all of our documents! He's also a really nice guy with a good sense of humor. We decided to go with his estate planning package, which we found to be very reasonable, compared to other attorneys in the Greater LA area. We highly recommend Josh! read more

Excellent service, highly professional & very knowledgeable. Our attorney Vanessa Terzian was very prompt and caring, and gave us great advice throughout. read more

Vanessa Terzian was referred to me by a family member and I would recommend her to anyone who needs legal assistance. She helped us put together our trust. She was patient, informative and so easy to work with. We feel relieved that our kids will have a map to follow when the times comes. read more

Vanessa and her team were really helpful with our trust, taking the time to explain everything and they were really quick. Highly recommend Lagerlof! read more

Jon Primuth is an outstanding attorney. We were lucky enough to discover him when my late husband and I retired to Pasadena four and a half years ago. In addition to his legal skills, he is kind and compassionate when dealing with families at a time of loss. I am comforted knowing he will be a wise counsel to my children at my passing. read more

Like working with Josh Driskell on my Mother's estate. He takes the time to explain what will happen next and the expected outcome.

I am in the process of buying a house and the paperwork can be super confusing and overwhelming, especially if you are buying it with someone else and are not married to the other person! I had some questions about giving a gift that would be used as a down payment on the house. I asked some other regular tax people but they were unable to answer or said that it required more time and research. Luckily, Josh knew and told me that I would need to properly complete a gift tax return and make sure that the correct form was filled out with the right distribution code. I appreciated the time he took to answer my questions and his advice on an estate plan and trust. Thanks again, Josh! read more

So happy that we found Josh! He was an absolute pleasure to work with, he was always kind and patient, he always got right back to us, and he was very responsive to all emails and phone calls. We ere very pleased with the outcome and I don't feel that we were over charged. If you every feel Josh could be of any assistance you should absolutely give him a call to discuss! read more

I wish to commend Attorney Vanessa Terzian and her staff for the highest degree of professionalism and courtesy throughout the complex and meticulous process of creating an estate plan. She thoroughly gathered my information, carefully interviewed and analyzed my needs, and produced a legal product beyond my expectations. I highly recommend her services, for she has satisfied my family wishes and given me a true sense of comfort and peace of mind read more

I reached out to Josh for consultation regarding a landlord/tenant dispute. I had called other law firms before I finally found him. They all wanted to charge me a $100 consultation fee. Josh gave me legal advice free of charge. He patiently listened to me, and properly advised me. I could tell that he is very experienced based on how he handled my questions and advice he was giving me. He helped me make sure I was not misinterpreting a law, and gave me sound legal advice. I have dealt with other attorneys in the past, and he is by far one of the most polite, sincere and just plain awesome! I HIGHLY recommend Josh, you will not be disappointed. read more