Kim Schoknecht is recognized by Chambers High-Net-Worth Guide and Best Lawyers for his work in trusts, estates and tax planning.

A strategic estate planner, Kim helps ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families in Silicon Valley preserve their wealth and transfer it to younger generations and charity in highly tax-efficient ways. Kim also advises corporate and individual trustees administering large and complex trusts, including those with difficult estate tax and contested distribution issues. Kim’s clients include tech company founders, CEOs of publicly traded companies, portfolio managers, real estate developers and national trust companies.

Representative Experience

  • Advising a billionaire private business owner on the use of charitable and irrevocable trusts to significantly diminish the estate’s ultimate estate tax burden.
  • Representing a family for nearly 20 years, provided advice that has removed tens of millions of dollars from estate tax exposure through the use of irrevocable private and charitable trusts.
  • Representing a disinherited heir from a billion-dollar estate in contested probate proceedings; obtained an extremely significant confidential settlement.

Professional Highlights

  • Recognized by Chambers High-Net-Worth Guide, Private Wealth – Northern California (2016 – 2018) and Best Lawyers (published by BL Rankings LLC), Trusts and Estates (2013 – 2024) and Lawyer of the Year – Trusts and Estates – San Jose (2018) and Silicon Valley (2024); AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 1990.
  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
  • Serves on the Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation board of directors.

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Associations

  • Bar Association of San Francisco  (Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law Section) – Member (1978 – current; Chair, 1996)
  • Bar Association of San Mateo (Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law Section) – Member (1978 – current)
  • San Francisco Estate Planning Council (1995 – current)
  • State Bar of California (Estate Planning and Trust Law Section) (1977 – current)
  • AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale–Hubbell for ethical standards and legal ability (1990 – current)

Education

  • J.D., University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, 1977

    B.A., Urban Studies, University of Southern California, 1974
    magna cum laude

Admissions

  • California