Robert Bennett
Partner

Family/Strategic Wealth Planning

D: 310.201.7478
F: 310.201.2378

Profile

Experienced in all aspects of trust, estate and strategic wealth planning, Bob Bennett enjoys a national reputation for his counsel in post-death administration of trusts and estates.  He has guided high-profile and high-net worth individuals, as well as trustees, through the administrative and probate processes for 40 years and is known for his big-picture insights and empathetic and educative approach. 

Mr. Bennett often collaborates with allied financial professionals and institutions to address considerations of estate, gift and fiduciary income tax.  He has successfully resolved numerous trust and estate disputes both in mediation and in probate court.

Throughout his career, many of Mr. Bennett’s clients have come from the creative community. He has extensive wealth planning and post-death administration experience managing the estates of entertainers, musicians and actors, which often entail multiple matrimonial and heir issues, international assets and complex intellectual property portfolios.  To resolve the many complexities that may arise, Mr. Bennett frequently draws upon the firm’s resident knowledge and talent in bankruptcy, labor and employment, IP, tax and real estate law.

Mr. Bennett is active in several trusts and estate professional networks.  He has been a peer-elected Fellow of American College of Trust and Estate Counsel since 1983 and has been named to Best Lawyers in America® for the past 16 years.

Estate Planning Experience

  • Resolved dispute for surviving family of a well-known actor in a matter involving conflicts over ownership and characterization of assets
  • Obtained favorable compensation on behalf of the estate of a deceased actor following an ownership dispute with movie studio over rights to the actor’s films 
  • Represented major bank trustee in connection with family disputes and disputes with prior trustee regarding the trust of a deceased major entertainment figure
  • Represented trustee of trusts for family member of a deceased major land developer in Southern California in defense against surcharge action
  • Represented widow of major music figure in trust, income tax and estate tax matters
  • Handled estate of father of a major movie star
  • Handled estate of brother of a well known actor
  • Worked on estate of a major real estate developer in Southern California

Accolades

  • Listed, Best Lawyers in America, 1995-2012
  • Listed, Super Lawyers, 2005-2012
  • Rated, "AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5," Martindale Hubbell