Ritzi K. Lam

Ritzi Lam was admitted to the California State Bar in 2011 and is a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law. With over 196,000 active attorneys in California as of February 2024, Ritzi is one of only approximately 1,000 attorneys who are certified specialists in the area of Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law.

In order to become a California State Bar Certified Specialist, an attorney must have:

• Taken and passed a rigorous, full-day examination in estate planning, trust, and probate law administered by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization;
• Dedicated a significant part of their practice in estate planning, trust and probate law;
• Fulfilled and continue to fulfill on-going legal education requirements that is specific to estate planning, trust and probate law, which is above and beyond the required hours for attorneys who are not certified;
• Demonstrated comprehensive experience in the estate planning, trust and probate law; and
• Been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with the attorney’s work in estate planning, trust and probate law

In addition to being a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law, Ritzi also holds a LL.M. in taxation law. A LL.M. is Master of Laws Degree, which is additional degree to the Juris Doctor that all attorneys earn upon graduation from law school. 

Ritzi has practiced in trust and estates for over 10 years. In addition to her credentials, Ritzi’s practical experience includes all facets of trust and estates, from estate planning to administering probates and trusts, conservatorship and guardianships, to representing various parties (beneficiaries, heirs, trustees) in contested matters. 

Her estate plan practice includes drafting both routine and complex plans, and incorporates preparation of irrevocable trusts and utilizing closely-held family limited liability companies, partnerships and corporations to help meet strategic goals associated with estate planning. With a LL.M in taxation law, Ritzi also advises clients on federal tax law and IRS regulation compliance issues regarding estate, gift, and income tax matters.  Ritzi also uses her litigation experience to advise clients in estate planning to mitigate ambiguity, confusion and other potential issues that can arise when the plan is administered after the passing of a settlor, trustor, trustee, beneficiary, or heir. 

Ritzi’s litigation practice includes representation of professional fiduciaries, trustees and other interested parties in contested trust and estate matters. Ritzi also handles conservatorship and guardianship matters. In addition, Ritzi often serves as court-appointed counsel for conserved individuals and guardian ad litem for minors in contentious matters, which gives her a well-rounded view of the court process.

Prior to private practice, Ritzi served as a Judicial Extern for Presiding Justice David G. Sills of the California 4th District Court of Appeal and as a volunteer research attorney for The Honorable George Miram of the California Superior Court, Probate Department.