Steffi Hafen, Partner at our San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles law offices
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Steffi Hafen

Partner
Biography

Steffi Hafen is the managing partner of our San Diego office, and is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the California Board of Legal Specialization. She is a co-leader of the firm’s Private Client Services practice group, a partner in the General Federal Tax practice group and works in the San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles offices. Steffi’s practice is concentrated in tax, trust, and estate matters with emphasis in estate planning, trust and probate administration, and estate and gift taxation. She employs advanced estate planning techniques, including grantor retained annuity trusts, family partnerships, limited liability companies, charitable remainder trusts, defective grantor trusts, insurance planning, public charities, and private foundations. She also advises clients regarding succession planning for closely held businesses. In addition, Steffi has experience in state and local taxation, including income taxation, sales and use taxation, and property taxation, as well as issues regarding residency and domicile. Steffi also represents clients in front of the California state and local taxing authorities, and the Internal Revenue Service. She works with clients’ certified public accountants, financial planners, and other service providers to provide holistic solutions to clients’ needs.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • California


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of California


Education

  • Loyola Law School (LL.M. in Taxation, with distinction)
  • University of Southern California, Gould School of Law (J.D.)
    • Moot Court Executive Board and National Team Member
  • University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A., Psychology and Law and Society)
  • Lorenzo dé Medici University, Florence, Italy (Study Abroad)

Languages

Spanish

Experience

Awards & Recognition

Previous Professional Experience

  • Baker & McKenzie, Associate (2011), Summer Associate (2009)
  • Warner Brothers Studios, Music Legal Department, Summer Intern (2004)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Probate Attorneys of San Diego (2022-Present)
  • San Diego County Bar Association (2020-Present)
    • Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Section, Vice Chair (2021-2022)
  • Lawyers’ Club (2020-Present)
  • Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), San Diego (2020-Present)
  • North County Estate Planning Council (2020-Present)
  • Orange County Bar Association (2011-Present)
    • Trusts and Estates Section
    • Tax Section
  • Orange County Estate Planning Council (2017-2021)
    • Attorney Member
  • Orange County Hispanic Bar Association
    • Board of Directors (2013-2019)
  • USC Law Alumni OC Committee (2012-2016)
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association, Young Tax Lawyers, Secretary (2010-2011)

Community Involvement

  • San Diego County Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
    • Board Member (2024-Present)
  • Junior Achievement of San Diego County
    • Board Member (2024-Present)
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach
    • Board of Directors (2018-2022)
  • OC Head Start

Representative Presentations and Publications

Publications