Serving The Bay Area For More Than A Decade

Photo of the reception room of Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP
Vanessa J. Sundin

Vanessa J. Sundin

  • Partner

Contact Me:

Legal Assistant

Kelsey C. Glenn

Practice Areas

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Beneficiary Representation
  • Business Formation and Administration
  • Real Estate Transfers and Title Issues

Education

  • Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California
    • J.D. - 2009
    • Honors: Dean’s List, Member
    • Honors: Honors Lawyering Program, Member
    • Honors: Cali Awards in Writing and Research II, HLP Wills and Trusts Writing Lab
    • Honors: Cali Awards in Real Estate Finance
    • Honors: Honorable Mention Awarded for Academic Excellence in Real Estate Law
  • Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California
    • LL.M. - 2010
  • California State University, Chico, California
    • B.A. - 2003

Biography

Vanessa Sundin is a Partner at Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP and is working in the Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration departments. Vanessa has extensive experience in estate planning, trust administration, probate administration, beneficiary representation, and tax. She works with clients to develop thoughtful, tax-sensitive estate plans, wealth transfer strategies, and methods of charitable giving, handles complex trust administrations, supervises trust and probate administrations, and represents beneficiaries in contentious trust administrations and probate matters.

Prior to joining Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP, Vanessa maintained her own practice, Sundin Law Office, a full-service trusts and estates boutique, in Chico, California. She continues to serve clients in the Butte County and North State areas.

Vanessa is a member of the State Bar of California, the Bar Association of San Francisco, and the Butte County Bar Association. She previously served as a board member and secretary for the North Valley Community Foundation. Vanessa also previously served as a board member and co-chair of the Stonewall Alliance Center of Chico and as a board member of the north State Estate Planning Council. Vanessa has frequently spoken on topics related to probate law, including estate planning, trust and probate administration, and elder law issues.

Vanessa received her B.A. in English Literature and German from California State University, Chico. She received both her J.D. and LL.M in Taxation from Golden Gate University School of Law. During her law school career, Vanessa was a member of the Honors Lawyering Program and Dean's List, and received Cali Awards in Writing and Research II, HLP Wills and Trusts Writing Lab, and Real Estate Finance. She also received the Honorable Mention Award for academic excellence in Real Estate Law. Prior to attending law school, Vanessa earned her Series 7 license and worked in finance as a registered sales associate with A.G. Edwards and Sons, Inc.

Vanessa splits her time between San Francisco and Chico. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exercising, traveling, and playing outdoors with her dog, Seisel.

Bar Admissions

  • California, 2009
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 2011

Recognition

  • Dean’s List, Member
  • Honors Lawyering Program, Member
  • Cali Awards in Writing and Research II, HLP Wills and Trusts Writing Lab
  • Cali Awards in Real Estate Finance
  • Honorable Mention Awarded for Academic Excellence in Real Estate Law

Professional Associations

  • State Bar of California, Member
  • Bar Association of San Francisco, Member
  • Butte County Bar Association, Member