Department profile
Withers

Private Wealth Disputes

High Net Worth Guide 2026 : California


Withers

Rankings

About

Provided by Withers

Withers Bergman LLP, also known as Withers outside of the United States, is one of the world's best-known (and most sought-after) law firms for privately held capital, in particular, among multi-generational, high net worth, and ultrahigh net worth families to service their sophisticated legal needs. 

With 15 global offices, including 3 California offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, our California attorneys leverage the firm’s regional strength and global platform to best service our clients’ needs on a daily basis.

Our California offices cover a wide range of practices within private wealth law including tax, trusts, estate planning, financial services, trust and estate litigation, dispute resolution, real estate, charities, philanthropy, art and cultural assets, employment, family law and more to address the issues individuals and families face, and we leverage our business and dispute resolution practices globally to support their wider interests. We are proud that founders, creatives, leaders, senior executives, artists, entertainers, trustees and fiduciaries, families and family offices turn to our private client and tax attorneys for their private wealth law needs.

Withers’ other office locations include London, Geneva, Milan, Padua, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, British Virgin Islands, New York, Greenwich, New Haven, and Texas.

Industries (11)

  • Charities / Not for Profit
  • Private Clients / Individuals
  • Media
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Insurance
  • Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
  • Real Estate
  • Software & Computer Services
  • Sports
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Wealth Disputes - California

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Withers is a well-regarded firm and a major player in private wealth with a strong international practice. The Los Angeles and San Diego offices also have a litigation team experienced in dealing with contested trusts, estates and conservatorships.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They certainly possess size, scope, depth and breadth of services. Their deep knowledge is intertwined with great bedside manner and attention to detail. Their attorneys are easy to work with and responsive.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Withers is particularly excellent at international estate planning for clients with assets all over the world.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • The Withers team operates in an organised and strategic manner, investing the effort to evaluate the long-term implications and identify the most practical and well-reasoned solutions.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Withers provides thoughtful, detailed, and comprehensive development and implementation of strategies, opportunities and options. Withers is consistently ahead of the game.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Withers has deep strength beyond just a handful of capable attorneys. They have a whole team that can advise on niche issues that come up.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Marsha Dungog
    Band 1Marsha Dungog

    Marsha Dungog

    Marsha Dungog advises wealthy clients in regard to international income, gift and estate tax issues. She acts for high net worth individuals and family businesses.

    • Marsha is simply without peer in terms of ability to assess client matters, problem-solving, service, sophistication and commercial awareness. She is an invaluable resource to my business and client base.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Marsha is an outstanding adviser. She provides astute advice, with a commercial lens on client issues, and has excellent technical depth and connectivity with key regulators. Her vibrant personality makes working with her a pleasure.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Her legal advice is top notch and she is also a fantastic person to work with. Clients really like her and her technical expertise is by far the best I have ever seen.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Marsha is sharp, knowledgeable, indefatigable and energetic. She is very enjoyable to work with.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 2Elizabeth A. Bawden
    Band 2Elizabeth A. Bawden

    Elizabeth A. Bawden

    Elizabeth Bawden advises high net worth clients on extremely complex domestic and international estate and tax planning matters.
    • Elizabeth is outstanding. She’s bright, up to date on current issues and developments, approachable and detail-oriented. She genuinely cares about the clients she serves and her personal interest is clear and sincere. Her combination of EQ and IQ is unusual among attorneys.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Elizabeth continually offers outstanding guidance ensuring that my efforts remain aligned with my long-term objectives.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Elizabeth is fantastic to work with. She is a very reliable, conscientious and smart attorney.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Elizabeth Bawden is very detail-oriented and very organised. I've often thought, if I won the lottery, she is the person I would go to to handle everything.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 2Michael Brophy
    Band 2Michael Brophy

    Michael Brophy

    Michael Brophy is an experienced litigator representing prominent individuals, families, charities and fiduciaries in highly sensitive trust and estate contests.

    • Mike brings both intelligence and creativity to every matter. He keeps everyone focused on reaching the best possible outcome and helps ensure we stay aligned on the end goal.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Michael Brophy has excellent skills for a probate litigator of his level. He has expansive knowledge of the issues and provides excellent advice and guidance.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 2Paul Sczudlo
    Band 2Paul Sczudlo

    Paul Sczudlo

    Paul Sczudlo is highly experienced in advising wealthy clients on international planning matters.

    • It is important to Paul that you understand things as a client. He will take whatever time necessary to answer questions. He is incredibly responsive, quick and available. Even though he is very business-like and professional, he also has great care for clients and wants the best for them.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Chang Chae
    Band 3Chang Chae

    Chang Chae

    Chang Chae joined Withers in January 2025. He advises affluent individuals and families on trust, estate, tax and charitable planning.

    • Chang Chae is very responsive and he has a global perspective.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Chang has been an all-star and a great partner to work with.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Helen S. Cheng
    Band 3Helen S. Cheng

    Helen S. Cheng

    Helen Cheng is regularly instructed by high net worth clients on complex trust and estate planning matters. Cheng is particularly well known for her focus on philanthropy.

    • Helen has excellent communication skills. She can take complex things and make them so simple for clients. She has deep understanding of the inter-dependencies of complex internal structures.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Helen has wonderful energy and deep knowledge.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Helen is very intelligent, a good communicator and attentive.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Helen Cheng is a specialist in the world of non-profit law. Her combination of technical skill in this very niche area of law as well as her lovely personality and demeanour allow her to connect with clients quickly and develop excellent rapport.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Paul Gordon Hoffman
    Band 3Paul Gordon Hoffman

    Paul Gordon Hoffman

    Paul Gordon Hoffman has maintained a good reputation in the market for his estate, tax and charitable planning expertise. He is known for advising clients in the entertainment industry.

    • Paul is very knowledgeable and good to work with.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Up and ComingCraig Weinstein
    Up and ComingCraig Weinstein

    Craig Weinstein

    Craig Weinstein is a partner in the trust, estate and inheritance disputes team at Withers. He assists on many of the team's most complex matters.

    • Craig's approach is both thorough and practical, which makes a complex matter much more manageable.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Craig is really smart, good with clients and you know he will handle any case well, now matter how big it is.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Up and ComingJessica Kaplan
    Up and ComingJessica Kaplan

    Jessica Kaplan

    Jessica Kaplan has a strong trust and estates practice. She acts on wealth and estate planning, trust administration and probate.

    • Jessica Kaplan's clarity and attention to detail stand out. You feel she is smart and thorough.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Jessica is a great trusts and estates attorney.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Up and ComingKevin Jackson
    Up and ComingKevin Jackson

    Kevin Jackson

    Kevin Jackson advises trustees, settlors and beneficiaries in trust litigation.

    • Kevin is extremely sophisticated in his knowledge base, yet easy to work with and presents seamlessly to sensitive clients.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

Ranked Individuals at Withers (10)

California

California: Northern

California: Southern

Members

Provided by Withers

Withers has rankings in the following guides

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