Jennifer Cooper

Direct: (858) 271-6244
jcooper@denherderlaw.com

Team Position:
Trust Administration and Probate Legal Assistant

Jennifer is responsible for all aspects of client relations when someone dies... she has a heart for the hurting, and she supports the attorneys who navigate the legal requirements following a death.

Background:
Born and raised here in San Diego, California, I had always known from an early age that I wanted to be in the field of law, but didn’t know in what form or how to get my “foot in the door”.

By chance, I was offered a position in a small law office to support an attorney in Estate Planning and Estate Administration and was quickly promoted to Office Manager. Taking me under his wing, my boss became my mentor and I soon came to find out how greatly admired an attorney could be by his clients.

I was blessed with the opportunity to work personally with individuals who were not only our clients but people who needed guidance in handling their own personal matters. These individuals had either come to a point in their life where they needed assistance with their affairs, financially and/or medically, due to not having family, or were seeking a neutral third party to step in and be their voice when the time came to act on their behalf. They trusted that they would still be heard and most of all, their wishes would be fully followed through. Through the supervision of their attorney, I became this person and finally found my path in life.

As we know life has a way of throwing us some curve balls, for which we may not be ready. The attorney I worked for, who was my mentor, and a friend to all those who had known him, passed away from a tragic accident and I soon experienced first hand the duties that take place, while also dealing with the emotions that occur at a loved one’s passing. In the guidance and previous preparation already instructed by him, the closing of his law practice and administration of his own estate instilled in me the knowledge and importance of preparing and maintaining an estate plan. Unfortunately, it also showed me that with all the individuals that want to be heard during this time, his voice was ultimately not. In some circumstances, those you choose to name to administer your estate, may not always be the best choice. The possibility of lack of appropriate skills, or conflict with siblings or other relatives that it may involve, the situation may be better if it’s conducted by a professional.

Continuing on my path, I was able to work for and with a wonderful attorney specializing in Family Law, but I knew in my heart that I wanted to continue in the area of law I first felt so passionately about.

In 2006, my path redirected me to DenHerder & Associates and I soon found that their qualities and admiration its clients sought out in a law firm were the same ones that I was seeking once again in being a part of. Having started as the Estate Planning assistant, I made a transition into the Probate/Trust Administration Department, a position that I can professionally and personally connect with. Through my experience, I am able to fully relate to our clients and compassionately assist them after the passing of a family member or friend.

In continuing my dream of helping those that rely on fiduciaries to handle their estate during life and importantly there after, I’ll be continuing my education at Cal State Fullerton to obtain a certificate in Professional Fiduciary Management for Trustees to become licensed as a Professional Fiduciary.