With over twenty years of experience, Michael A. Simon has extensive experience in all aspects of estate planning, tax, probate and trust administration. Mr. Simon provides comprehensive, highly personalized estate planning, probate and trust administration services to clients throughout Orange County and the surrounding communities.   Whether a large or small estate, Mr. Simon provides pragmatic, result-oriented estate planning, probate, and trust administration services.

Mr. Simon is an active member of the California State Bar and holds membership in the Trusts and Estates Section of the Orange County Bar Association as well as the Real Property, Probates and Trust Section of the American Bar Association.  Mr. Simon is licensed to practice before the United States District Court (Central District) and the United States Tax Court and he is also admitted and qualified to practice as an attorney and counselor before the United States Supreme Court. 

Mr. Simon is a frequent lecturer in the area of estate planning.  His speaking engagements include presentations to fellow attorneys, professional advisors and industry trade groups as well as presentations to the general public and community groups.  

Background

Prior to establishing The Law Offices of Michael A. Simon, Mr. Simon worked as an attorney at a local estate planning law firm for over 10 years.  He also worked in the Private Client Services group of Arthur Anderson, LLP where he designed and implemented advanced tax and estate planning strategies for high net worth individuals.  His background also includes nine years as a stockbroker with Charles Schwab & Co. where he held NASD Series 7, 8, 63 and 65 licenses.  Mr. Simon also clerked in the Enforcement Division of the California Department of Corporations and the Major Fraud Unit of the Orange County District Attorney's Office. 

Education and Honors

Mr. Simon received his Juris Doctor Degree, cum laude, from Chapman University School of Law, where he served as an editor and an executive board member of the Chapman Law Review and president of the Tax Law Society.  Mr. Simon also completed Chapman's Tax Law Emphasis Program concurrently with his legal curriculum.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton. 

Community Involvement

Mr. Simon's community involvement has included participation in the Chapman University School of Law Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.  He has also volunteered his time with the IRS VITA program which assists low income, disabled, elderly and non-English speaking taxpayers with the preparation of their tax returns.  Additionally, he also volunteers as a member of the Estate and Trusts Advisory Committee for Chapman University and has served as a member of the executive board for the Trusts and Estates Section of the Orange County Bar Association.