Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Central Valley Legal Advocates Since 1973
Founded in 1973, Gianelli | Friedman | Jeffries | McKernan has established itself as a trusted legal partner in California's Central Valley. Our firm specializes in estate planning, probate and trust administration, business law, civil litigation, and real estate law, serving individuals and businesses with a focus on personalized solutions. With over 200 years of combined experience, our attorneys leverage deep local knowledge and multigenerational expertise to address complex legal challenges.We prioritize collaboration, innovation, and community impact, maintaining strong ties to organizations like the Stanislaus Community Foundation and Modesto Junior College Foundation. Our team approach ensures clients receive comprehensive counsel across all practice areas, reflecting our commitment to excellence since Louis Bud Gianelli opened his first law office nearly five decades ago.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Business Succession Planning
Civil Litigation
Real Estate Law
Trust Administration
Corporate Law
Estate Tax Planning
Litigation Support
Legal Consultation
Details
- Year established: 1973
Highlights and features
- We offer 200+ years of combined legal experience across multiple practice areas
- Our team includes former CFOs and tax specialists with advanced degrees
- We maintain satellite offices in both Modesto and Sonora for regional accessibility
- Our attorneys teach business law and estate planning courses locally
- We've represented generations of Central Valley families in estate matters
What people say
Highest quality legal services
Creative collaborative and innovative
Integral part of family business success
Made the incorporation process a breeze
Kept our firm on solid ground
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning attorneys create customized wills, trusts, and advance directives to protect assets and ensure client wishes are honored. We specialize in complex estate structures for high-net-worth individuals and business owners while providing clear guidance on tax implications. With bilingual capabilities and multigenerational experience, we help families across California's Central Valley establish comprehensive succession plans.
Probate Administration
We guide executors and beneficiaries through California's probate process with expertise developed over decades of local practice. Our team handles estate inventory, debt settlement, and asset distribution while minimizing family conflict. With deep knowledge of Central Valley community dynamics, we efficiently resolve contested probate matters and trust disputes for clients in Modesto and Sonora.
Business Succession Planning
Our attorneys develop tailored succession strategies for family-owned businesses, combining legal expertise with practical business understanding. We create transition plans that preserve company legacy while addressing tax implications and ownership transfer logistics. With former CFOs and business owners among our ranks, we provide solutions that ensure operational continuity across generations.
Civil Litigation
We represent clients in civil disputes ranging from contract disagreements to complex business litigation. Our approach combines aggressive advocacy with strategic settlement negotiation to achieve favorable outcomes. With experience handling eminent domain cases and multi-party disputes, we protect client interests in courtrooms across California's Central Valley.
Real Estate Law
Our real estate practice covers commercial transactions, property disputes, and development projects throughout the Central Valley. We assist with purchase agreements, title issues, and zoning regulations while leveraging local knowledge to address regional-specific challenges. Our attorneys represent both individual property owners and large-scale developers in all real estate matters.
People
Louis Bud Gianelli
Founder
Established the firm in 1973 after successful careers in insurance adjusting and business management. Served 25 years as California Probate Referee and shaped the firm's community-focused values.
Michael L. Gianelli
Attorney
Joined the firm in 1979 after McGeorge School of Law. Teaches Business Law at Modesto Junior College and specializes in litigation, expanding the firm's capabilities beyond estate planning.
David L. Gianelli
Attorney
Tax expert with Master's degree from Golden Gate College. Focuses on complex estate planning and probate matters, integrating advanced taxation knowledge into comprehensive wealth preservation strategies.
Louis Friedman
Attorney
Former Gallo Winery CFO brings corporate finance expertise to estate and business planning. Specializes in structuring tax-efficient solutions for large estates and family-owned businesses.
Byron S. Hales
Attorney
Bilingual estate planning specialist with Alaska practice experience. Focuses on cross-border estate issues and serves clients from the Sonora office with Spanish language capabilities.
Questions
What estate planning documents are essential for California residents?
Every California resident should have a will, durable power of attorney, healthcare directive, and revocable living trust to ensure proper asset distribution and medical decision-making.
How does probate work in California's Central Valley?
California requires formal probate for estates exceeding $166,250. Our local attorneys handle estate administration, creditor claims, and property transfer processes efficiently across the Central Valley.
Can you help with business succession planning for family-owned companies?
Yes, we create customized succession plans that address ownership transfer, tax implications, and leadership development for multi-generation Central Valley businesses.
Do you handle real estate disputes in both urban and rural areas?
Our real estate practice covers urban development issues in Modesto and agricultural land disputes in rural Central Valley communities with equal expertise.
What makes your litigation approach different from other law firms?
We combine aggressive courtroom representation with practical business understanding, often resolving disputes through strategic negotiation while preparing for trial when necessary.
Are your attorneys involved in local community organizations?
Yes, we actively participate in Stanislaus Community Foundation, Modesto Children's Museum, and local business groups as part of our commitment to the Central Valley region.
