Roee Kaufman

LOS ANGELES - For Roee Kaufman, a partner at Keystone Law Group P.C., one of the largest probate firms in California, some of the most challenging aspects of probate law are also what makes the field so attractive.

"Because my clients are often dealing with something profoundly difficult--the death of a loved one--probate litigation disputes can be highly emotional," he said. "In order to be a successful probate litigator, you have to be able to empathize with clients while also maintaining rationality and focus so that your clients are able to exercise sound judgment."

Kaufman is widely recognized for his indepth understanding of probate law and has been crucial in training, developing and mentoring many employees at the firm. He has also been sought by media outlets and professional groups to share his insights. While probate litigation requires a strong civil litigation skillset, Kaufman said, the law is highly specialized and can often be confusing to navigate for any inexperienced practitioner or client.

"I've spent years honing my skills and learning the ins and outs of probate law because I truly enjoy helping real people resolve their probate disputes in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible and overcome what may be the difficult challenge of their lives," he said.

In a recent San Diego case, Kaufman represented a decedent's ex-spouse and stepson in a trust and estate dispute following the decedent's death. Kaufman's client had learned that during her marriage, her husband had left a disproportionate share of their marital estate to his own daughters.

The woman eventually filed for divorce, but her husband died before the dispute could be resolved.

Kaufman ultimately negotiated a favorable settlement for the client that resulted in her keeping millions of dollars worth of property and a substantial settlement payment. In Re the Nace Cohen Trust, 37-2020-00025797-PR-TR-CTL (San Diego Sup. Ct., filed July 20, 2020).

Kaufman said he developed a love for probate law from his first job as a lawyer fresh out of law school.

"While probate litigation encompassed about 50% of my work, I quickly realized that I wanted to dedicate my career to becoming a top attorney in the field," he said.

Kaufman said he works to stay on top of the constantly evolving law. "Almost yearly, changes are made to substantive and/or procedural aspects of probate that impact the ways in which probate attorneys have to counsel their clients," he said. "For example, 2022 has already ushered in substantial changes to California's conservatorship laws as a result of the conservatorship of Britney Spears, which have forced practitioners to change their approach to conservatorship cases." Kaufman said one of the things he loves most about the job is the ability to help clients in a highly specialized field.

"First and foremost, I appreciate being a lawyer because it lets me use my natural skills, including my ability to negotiate and advocate for others, to help real people overcome challenging times in their lives and seek justice," he said. "I find that aspect of legal work extremely rewarding on a personal level."