Julie Ann Sowards

Julie Ann Sowards is a highly accomplished Estate Planning and Trust Administration Attorney known for her precision, insight, and dedication. For over a decade, she has crafted comprehensive estate plans that protect assets and reflect each client’s goals. Her focus on individualized strategies ensures that every trust is both effective and uniquely tailored.

Julie began her academic journey at California State University – Long Beach, where she earned her B.A. in Communications in 2006. She later obtained her J.D. (2014) from Lincoln Law School in San Jose, where her exceptional integrity and perseverance earned her the Cynthia Ware Young Scholarship. Building upon her passion for tax and estate law, she achieved her LL.M. in Tax Law and Taxation from Villanova University School of Law.

Julie’s extensive background includes estate planning, complex trusts, and tax-driven strategies. She has particular expertise in special needs trusts, charitable remainder trusts, and irrevocable asset protection trusts. With a deep understanding of trust administration, she frequently acts as a Trust Protector and advises trustees throughout the process. Her strong advocacy for beneficiaries in probate and trust litigation underscores her commitment to justice and fairness.

Julie Ann Sowards’s interest in estate planning after divorce allows her to handle the division of marital assets with precision, drawing on her tax law expertise to design detailed and compliant plans. Her mentorship of aspiring legal professionals and women establishing their own practices reflects her dedication to community growth and professional development. Through this guidance, she continues to shape the next generation of attorneys.

Law Office Affiliations

• Owner, Bay Area Estate Attorneys
• Member, The State Bar of California

Licensed State

• California

Education

• Villanova University School of Law
  Masters of Law (LLM) in Tax Law and Taxation
• Lincoln Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• California State University
  Bachelor of Arts

Awards & Badges