Desiree M. DeSurra

Desiree DeSurra applies an extensive and broad-based legal background in taxation and litigation to advising and assisting high net worth individuals and families, helping them navigate complex trust and estates planning matters, taxation issues, and ongoing and potential trust disputes. Desiree specializes in planning, taxation law matters and litigation with a primary focus on sophisticated gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning, wealth transfer planning, and business succession planning for high-net-worth clients. She has also managed a wide range of complex litigation matters, including white-collar investigations, contract disputes, business torts such as fraud, defamation, interference with contract and economic advantage, professional negligence, and securities fraud in state and federal courts.

Prior to joining Weinstock Manion, Desiree honed her skills in estate, income, and property tax planning at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP. Upon receiving her LL.M. from Loyola Law School, Desiree was honored with the highest distinction and received the Lynn Witte Scholarship from the Los Angeles Bar Association Taxation Section.

Education

• LL.M., Taxation, Loyola Law School, 2018
  • Honors: with highest distinction
• J.D., International Law Concentration University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 2002
• M.A., Geography, University of Washington, 1999
  • Honors: magna cum laude
• B.A., Geography and International Development University of California Los Angeles, 1995
  • Honors: cum laude

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of California
• S. District Court, Central District of California
• S. District Court, Northern District of California

Professional Associations & Memberships

• Association of Business Trial Lawyers
• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Honors & Awards

• “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” Best Lawyers, 2024
• “Southern California Rising Stars,” Super Lawyers®
• Tony Patino Public Interest Law Fellow
• First Honors/Highest Grade Awarded: Estate and Gift Taxation; Tax Planning for Family Wealth, Partnership Tax, Taxation of Property Transfers, International Tax, and Income Tax Timing Issues