Mary L. Symons - a San Rafael, United States Estate Planning Lawyer

San Rafael Estate Planning Lawyer

Updated: 03/10/2026

Areas of Practice

Estate Planning
Estate Administration
Trust Administration

Attorney Information

Overview

Mary L. Symons received her J.D. cum laude from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) in 1990, where she was also elected to the Order of the Coif and the Thurston Honor Society. She also received the American Jurisprudence award in her Estates and Powers class. Ms. Symons served as a member of the Hastings Law Journal from 1988-1989, and as Associate Executive Editor from 1989 to 1990. A fifth-generation San Franciscan, Ms. Symons earned a B.S. degree (with honors) in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting and finance, from the University of California, Berkeley in 1986.

After practicing for a few years in San Francisco, Ms. Symons attended New York University to obtain a Master of Laws in Taxation in 1994. While at NYU, Ms. Symons served as a research assistant to Guy B. Maxfield, during which time she assisted him in updating the 6th edition of the treatise, Federal Estate and Gift Taxation, by Richard B. Stephens, Stephen A. Lind, Guy B. Maxfield, and Dennis A. Calfee.

Ms. Symons has also served as a research assistant to the Honorable Isabella Horton Grant, Probate Judge for the Superior Court of California in and for the City and County of San Francisco, and as an extern for the Honorable Marcus A. Kaufman, Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court.

Ms. Symons was admitted to the California bar in 1990, and she is also admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court. Ms. Symons is a certified specialist in estate planning, trust & probate law - certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. Ms. Symons was also awarded the very highest rating of AV® Preeminent^TM by Martindale-Hubbell.

Ms. Symons served on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Area Women Tax Lawyers for more than ten years, including several terms as President. Ms. Symons is also a past chair of the Probate and Trust Committee of the Barristers Club of the Bar Association of San Francisco.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Mary L. Symons included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell*
SuperLawyers, 2005-2006, 2021-2024

Other Sources of Feedback About Mary L. Symons

Included on the 2026 Northern California Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2025 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2024 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2023 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2022 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2021 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2006 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2005 Northern California Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), San Francisco, California, 1990
  J.D.
  Honors: cum laude
  Honors: Order of the Coif
  Honors: Thurston Honor Society
  Honors: American Jurisprudence Award, Estates and Powers Class
  Law Journal: Hastings Law Journal, Member, 1988 - 1989
  Law Journal: Hastings Law Journal, Associate Executive Editor, 1989 - 1990
- New York University School of Law, New York, New York, 1994
  Master of Laws (Taxation)
Non Legal Education
- University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, 1986
  B.S.
  Honors: With Honors
  Major: Business Administration - Emphasis: Accounting and Finance

Current Employment Position(s)

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Attorney
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Past Positions

Honorable Isabella Horton Grant, Probate Judge for the Superior Court of California in and for the City and County of San Francisco, Research Assistant
Honorable Marcus A. Kaufman, Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court, Extern

Bar Admissions

California, 1990
U.S. Tax Court

Specialties and Certifications

Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, Certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Other Affiliations

San Francisco Area Women Tax Lawyers (Board of Directors)
Probate and Trust Committee of the Barristers Club of the Bar Association of San Francisco (Chair)
State Bar of California, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust, Taxation, and Solo & Small Firm sections (Member)
San Francisco Estate Planning Council (Member)
Marin County Estate Planning Council (Member)
Marin County Bar Association, Estate Planning and Probate section

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Contact

San Rafael, CA

1000 Fourth Street
Suite 875
San Rafael, CA 94901

Directions

Phone: 415-256-5408

Fax: 415-459-3668

Email: Send a message

Websites:

Free Consultations
Virtual Appointments

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Mary L. Symons - San Rafael, CA