Member Lunch Meeting
Education
Santa Clara University, B.S. cum laude, 1994
Santa Clara University School of Law, J.D. cum laude, 1999
As the managing partner of the firm, John Prokey leads a diverse practice emphasizing estate and wealth planning, trust administration, and tax controversy for high net worth individuals, families, and closely held business owners. He regularly advises clients regarding the preparation and implementation of their basic estate plans (including drafting revocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advanced health care directives, and related documents). In addition to estate planning, John advises clients on family wealth planning, a multigenerational approach to protecting and preserving wealth through the use of sophisticated planning techniques. A significant portion of his practice is devoted to representing estate administrators and trustees on matters involving post-death administration and irrevocable trusts. John often serves the role of family advisor, acting to reduce and resolve conflicts among family members, heirs, and beneficiaries through both formal and informal mediation. In addition, his practice includes representing clients in federal tax controversies, including audit, administrative Appeals, and U.S. Tax Court. John’s broad experience in tax litigation—as well as his expertise in advising clients at the audit and appeals levels of tax controversy—has provided our firm with clear direction in appropriate and successful estate and succession planning.
As part of his continuing education pursuits, John has been a frequent author and presenter for numerous tax and estate planning conferences. His most recent speaking engagements include the California Society of CPAs Advanced Estate Planning Institute, the Annual Estate Planning Symposium and 2014 Tax Update and Planning Conference, the 2015 AICPA Advanced Estate Planning Conference, the San Diego Tax & Estate Planning Forum, the Hawaii Tax Institute, CEB/UCLA Estate Planning Conference, CEB Estate Planning Annual Recent Developments Conference, and the USC Tax Institute. In addition, he represented the State Bar of California in Washington, D.C. for several years in presenting proposed federal tax legislation and regulatory changes.
John is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He is also an active member of the California State Bar. John is currently a member of the Trusts and Estates Section Executive Committee and is a former member of the Taxation Section Executive Committee. He chaired the Estate and Gift Tax Sub-Committee from 2004-2005. In addition, John is a member of the Santa Clara County, Silicon Valley, and American Bar Associations.
