Lorilee DeSantis, Esq.
5 Star Reviews
“I really appreciated Lorilee’s help, advice and demeanor. Very professional and honest. That is a hard combination, but much appreciated. Should anything ever come up, I will not hesitate to call.”
– Denis B.
“She’s fabulous! I’ve never met an attorney as personable as Lorilee.”
– Terry D.
“My boyfriend and I were dragged into court by a former friend of my family. We were very nervous, and had no idea how to go about defending ourselves. Lorilee’s communications with us, and the preparations she made for our court date...”
– Alana A.
What Makes Lorilee DeSantis Uniquely Qualified To Represent You?
Lorilee DeSantis is an attorney whose passion for helping families protect their loved ones and their assets shines through to all who work with her. Lorilee’s clients often comment that her ability to deeply listen and understand their concerns makes it very easy for them to talk to her about difficult subjects. Her clients also appreciate that Lorilee explains complex legal concepts in ways that are easy to digest so that clients fully understand their legal options.
Lorilee’s dedication to helping people with family-oriented legal issues stems from personal experiences. When Lorilee was growing up, she saw numerous extended family members tear each other apart while arguing over money and sibling rivalries. She felt this was a terrible thing to happen to a family, and relationships might have been saved if proper estate planning had been done to prevent such arguments. Lorilee is also keenly aware of the emotions people feel when they go through a divorce – such as anger, regret, resentment, shame, relief, and fear – because she experienced a divorce before she attended law school. These experiences motivated her to practice family law and estate planning because these legal fields are where Lorilee feels she can most effectively empower her clients to move forward in life, confident that their children and their assets will be protected to the best of their abilities.
Lorilee is a strong believer in giving back to the community. She has volunteered at the Family Law Facilitator’s Office where she has helped under-privileged, self-represented individuals prepare pleadings for divorces and legal separations. In honor of her dedication, the Sonoma County Superior Court presented Lorilee with the Pro Bono Award in 2012. Through her Rotary club, Lorilee has also helped feed local homeless children and raise money for breast cancer research.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Lorilee worked in the financial services industry. Her experience in that industry enables her to synthesize a knowledge of investments and general finance into various aspects of family law and estate planning.
Education:
- Doctor of Jurisprudence, highest honors, top 5%, Golden Gate University School of Law, 2007
- Bachelor of Arts, honors, top 4%, University of California, Davis, 1999
Honors and Awards:
- Recipient of the Expertise Best Probate Lawyers Award In Santa Rosa, 2021
- Recipient of the Sonoma County Superior Court’s Pro Bono Award for outstanding service, 2012
- Merit Scholar, Golden Gate University School of Law, 2004-2007
- Dean’s List, Golden Gate University School of Law, 2004-2007
- Honors Lawyering Program, Golden Gate University School of Law, 2004-2007
- Outstanding Performance Citation in International Relations, University of California, Davis, 1999
- U.C. Davis Washington Center Undergraduate Research Award, 1998
Publications:
- The Hong Kong Triangle: An Assessment of Sino-British Relations Concerning Hong Kong, Prized Writing Journal, 1997
Bar Admissions:
- Superior Courts of California
- United States District Court for the Northern District of California
Professional Associations & Memberships:
- Vice President, Sonoma County Professional Women, 2015 – 2016
- Sonoma County Bar Association, 2011 – present
- State Bar of California, 2007 – present
“I really appreciated Lorilee’s help, advice and demeanor. Very professional and honest. That is a hard combination, but much appreciated. Should anything ever come up, I will not hesitate to call.”
– Denis B.
“She’s fabulous! I’ve never met an attorney as personable as Lorilee.”
– Terry D.
“My boyfriend and I were dragged into court by a former friend of my family. We were very nervous, and had no idea how to go about defending ourselves. Lorilee’s communications with us, and the preparations she made for our court date...”
– Alana A.
