On September 9, Jason Trenton and Kevin Ghassomian were honored as 2026 Top Estate and Wealth Management Lawyers by the Daily Journal. The annual list recognizes attorneys who are shaping the future of estate and wealth planning in California. As part of the recognition, the Daily Journal profiled both attorneys, highlighting their career paths, areas of expertise, and notable matters.
In the profile, Ghassomian reflected on the principles that guide his wealth planning practice, emphasizing that effective planning goes well beyond minimizing taxes. He explained that wealth planning is not an abstract exercise; it serves people, and the strongest outcomes balance tax efficiency, legal protection, and long-term stability rather than focusing on tax savings alone.
Ghassomian also highlighted communication as one of the most important skills he hopes to pass on to the next generation of lawyers. “You cannot simplify something you do not deeply understand,” he said. “Clear communication is therefore not separate from technical excellence—it is evidence of it.”
Trenton’s profile highlighted the growing emphasis on income tax planning over traditional estate and succession planning. “Clients no longer have to die to benefit from sophisticated tax strategies—they want results during their lifetimes,” he said. His practice includes advising technology entrepreneurs building companies in industries ranging from software to nuclear energy, often with a focus on planning ahead of a liquidity event.
Trenton also discussed his approach to client service. Describing his philosophy as having a “yes” mentality, he said, “There is always a solution. Clients come to a lawyer because they need strategy—not to be told that nothing can be done.”
Trenton, chair of Venable’s West Coast Private Wealth Planning Group, focuses on sophisticated estate, tax, and succession planning, including U.S.-Canada matters. Ghassomian advises business owners, executives, high-net-worth individuals, and their families on domestic and international estate planning, asset protection, business succession, and philanthropy.
Read more about the 2026 Top Estate and Wealth Management Lawyers here.