Preeminent in the realm of trust, estate and conservatorship disputes, Bruce S. Ross, Esq. provides mediation and arbitration services that are strengthened by his decades of experience as a trial lawyer.

Mr. Ross has more than 45 years of experience with high-value fiduciary litigation and the resolution of estate, trust, protective and financial elder abuse proceedings and disputes, both in the United States and internationally. He was named a statesman by his peers in trusts and estates law according to Chambers High Net Worth, which has ranked him in its highest tier for lawyers handling private wealth disputes.

As a neutral, Mr. Ross has drawn upon his substantive knowledge and expertise to successfully resolve many complex probate and related matters. He played major roles in the highly publicized conservatorship of Mickey Rooney and the complex, disputed $300 million estate of reclusive heiress Huguette Clark. He is known for his facilitative mediation style marked by effective listening, insightful identification of core issues and a high emotional IQ.

Since 1986, Mr. Ross has been a principal author or co-author of The Rutter Group’s California Practice Guide: Probate, considered one of the leading treatises on California probate issues. He is also a frequent speaker at conferences for trust, estate and probate professionals, financial advisors and wealth managers, including the Hawaii Tax Institute and the annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning. He is a Past President and Regent Emeritus of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).

Experience Highlights

• Preeminent authority on trusts, estates, and protective proceedings
• Over 45 years of resolving estate, trust and financial elder abuse disputes at trial and through settlement and mediation
• Experienced neutral in complex trust, estate and probate matters

Probate, Estates & Trusts Expertise

• Will and trust contests
• Estate and trust administration disputes
• Financial elder abuse
• Contested protective proceedings
• Business succession disputes
• Intra-family estate planning challenges
• Fiduciary standards of care, professional responsibility and professional malpractice

Professional Experience

• Principal, Mediation Offices of Bruce S. Ross, LLC (2018-Present)
• Seyfarth Shaw, Counsel (2019-Present)
• Holland & Knight, LLC, Partner (2001-2018); Chair of the National Estate and Trust Resolution Team (2001-2017)
• Ross, Sacks & Glazier, Founding Partner (1992-2001)

Accolades and Recognition

• Chambers USA - Ranked #1 in Wealth Management: Western Region - National
• Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Disputes: USA (2017-2020)
• The Best Lawyers in America Guide, Litigation - Trusts and Estates (1993-2021)
• The Best Lawyers in America Guide, Non-Profit/Charities Law (2013-2021)
• Southern California Super Lawyers (2004-2020)

Leadership & Professional Affiliations

• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) (1983-Present), Past President (2006-2007) and Regent Emeritus (2008-Present)
• International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, Academician and Past Member, Executive Council
• California Board of Legal Specialization, Certified Specialist, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Law (1991-Present)
• American Bar Association, Commissioner, Commision on Law and Aging (2015-2018)
• California State Bar, Past Member and Chair, Executive Committee, Trust and Estates Section