Lisa B. Roper, Counsel at our San Diego law office
Lisa B. Roper vcard
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Lisa B. Roper

Counsel
San Diego
Services
Private Client Services Trust and Estate Litigation
Biography

Lisa B. Roper is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the California Board of Legal Specialization and is a member of the firm’s Private Client Services group. Her practice focuses on the administration and resolution of complex and high-net-worth trust and estate matters, including disputed trust administrations, fiduciary litigation, probate controversies, and related litigation matters involving estates, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Lisa represents fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and other interested parties in sophisticated trust and estate matters, particularly involving complicated issues, contested matters and litigation.  Lisa has extensive experience guiding clients through all phases of administration and litigation, from pre-dispute strategy, risk assessment and investigation through trial and resolution. Lisa regularly handles sensitive, high stakes matters involving fiduciary obligations, allegations of misconduct, contested accountings, administration challenges, and disputes arising from the transfer and management of wealth. She works closely with clients to navigate legal, family and financial matters while developing efficient strategies designed to protect fiduciaries, preserve estate assets, and resolve disputes effectively.

In addition to her litigation practice, Lisa counsels clients on trust and estate administration matters with a focus on proactive problem-solving, dispute avoidance, and positioning matters for efficient and successful resolution.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • California


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of California


Education

  • University of San Diego School of Law (LL.M., Taxation)
  • University of San Diego School of Law (J.D.)
  • University of California, San Diego (B.S., Biology)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Trusts and Estates (2026)
    • Ones to Watch® In America
      • Litigation – Trusts and Estates (2022-2024)
      • Trusts and Estates (2022-2024)
  • San Diego Super Lawyers®
    • Estate & Trust Litigation (2023-2026)
    • Estate Planning & Probate (2023-2026)
  • Women of Influence in Law, San Diego Business Journal (2024)
  • San Diego Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars Edition
    • Estate & Trust Litigation (2022)
    • Estate Planning & Probate (2022)

Previous Professional Experience

  • Henderson, Caverly & Pum LLP
    • Partner
    • Associate Attorney

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • American College of Trusts & Estates Counsel
  • Litigation Counsel of America
    • Fellow (2025-Present)
  • California Lawyers Association
    • Executive Committee, Trusts & Estates (2024-Present)
  • California State Bar
    • Trust and Estates Section, Member (2013-Present)

Community Involvement

  • San Diego Law Library Justice Foundation
    • Board of Directors (2015-2023)

Representative Presentations and Publications

  • “New Rules for Non-Probate Transfers of Decedent’s primary Residence”, Guest Speaker, Trust Me! Podcase, California Lawyers Association (February 2, 2026)
  • “Death and Debt: Navigating Post-Mortem Debt in Probate, Non-Probate, and Trust Estates”, Speaker, USC Gould School of Law 51st Annual Trust and Estate Conference (November 2025)
  • “The Exam & You: California Legal Specialist Examination Preparation; Section 5: Transfers by Administration or Otherwise”, Speaker, California Lawyers Association (July 2025)
  • “AB 2016: & Non-Probate Transfers of a Decedent’s Home up to $750,000”, Speaker, California Lawyers Association (July 2025)
  • “Assembly Bill 2016: A Study of New Legislation and Summary Transfers of Assets in 2025 and Beyond”, Speaker, South County Bar Association (March 2025)
  • “Staying out of Trouble – Ethics for Trusts and Estates Litigators”, Speaker, California Lawyers Association (June 2024)
  • “Is Probate Dying? A Look at AB 2016 and a Survey of Probate Administrations Statutes for Probate Practitioners Preparing for the Future”, Co-Author, Ca. Trusts & Estates Quarterly 2024, Vol. 30, Issue 3
  • “Recent Developments in Fiduciary Litigation: Advising Clients in Changing Economic and Legal Times”, Speaker, CalCPA: Third Annual Estate Planning Symposium (October 2022)
  • “Hot Topics in Interspousal Property in the Context of Probate, Surprise! You Might be a Witness”, Speaker, East County San Diego Bar Association (October 2022)
  • “Hot Topics in Interspousal Property in the Context of Probate, Surprise! You Might be a Witness”, Speaker, North County Estate Planning Association (April 2022)
  • “Tips of the Trade: IRA Planning: Gaining Security in a Post-Secure World”, Author, Trusts and Estates Quarterly 2022, Vol. 28, Issue 3
  • “California Estate Administration from Start to Finish”, Speaker, National Business Institute (December 2021)
  • “Whose Money is it Anyway? Making Cents of the California Uniform Principal and Income Act”, Co-Author, Trusts and Estates Quarterly 2021, Vol. 27, Issue 3
  • “2019 Legislation: The Cost to be a Lawyer Just Got Higher and Other Important Legislative Updates for Trusts and Estates Practitioners”, Co-Author, Trusts and Estates Quarterly 2020, Vol. 26, Issue 1
  • “The Intersection of Death and Divorce: Where Probate and Family Law Collide”, Author, Ca. Trusts & Estates Quarterly 2018, Vol. 24, Issue 3