Attorneys

Christopher J. Albence    |   David S. Pawlowski    |   Keeley C. Luhnow    |   Brian V. Donnelly

Christopher J. Albence

Practice Areas: Wills, Trusts, Probate, Estate Litigation and Medi-Cal Planning
Email: chris@albence.com
Phone: 858.454.0024

Christopher Albence is the founding member and managing partner of the firm of Albence & Associates, APC, established in 1994. Mr. Albence's practice concentrates on wills, trusts, probate, elder law, and advocacy for senior citizen's legal rights. He is a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Mr. Albence's first legal position was as an associate attorney for Senior Citizens Legal Services and Complete Estate Services, both non-profit organizations. He has conducted numerous seminars and speaking engagements on estate planning and financial protection of the elderly. Mr. Albence's business, financial and legal background have created a practice that consists of all facets of estate planning, trust administration, trust and estate litigation. Mr. Albence was admitted to the California State Bar in 1993. He completed his undergraduate studies at Florida State University, with a B.S. in Finance and obtained his J.D. at California Western School of Law.

Mr. Albence's organization affiliations include the California State Bar, State Bar Board of Specialization - Estate Planning, Trust and Probate, 2003-2005 chair of the San Diego Bar Association Trust and Probate Section, 1997-1998 President South Bay Bar Association, the San Diego County Bar Association, the La Jolla Bar Association, the South Bay Bar Association, the California State Bar Trust and Probate Section, the San Diego County Bar Trust and Probate Section, the La Jolla Bar Trust and Probate Section; California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, former board member of the South Bay Bar Association, former Board of Directors for the South Bay Lawyer Referral Service and Board of Directors La Jolla Bar Association.

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David S. Pawlowski, Of Counsel

Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Probate, Estate Litigation, Medi-Cal Planning
Email: dave@albence.com
Phone: 858.454.0024

David S. Pawlowski has over fifteen years experience representing individuals and organizations in all aspects of estate planning and estate litigation, including: Trusts, Wills, Probate, Medi-Cal Planning and Trust Administration. Over the course of his career, Mr. Pawlowski has developed a unique ability to quickly evaluate and resolve comprehensive estate planning matters and complex estate litigation cases. An advocate of employing aggressive litigation techniques, Mr. Pawlowski has achieved results for clients that seemed unattainable at the inception of the case. Mr. Pawlowski's practice focuses on matters involving disputed wills, trusts, and amendments, including capacity and undue influence claims, trustee defense matters, power-of-attorney litigation and elder abuse claims.

Mr. Pawlowski's varied experience in handling numerous estate litigation matters affords him unique skill as an estate planing attorney. Many attorneys who solely draft documents, but do not litigate, fail to comprehend or lack the necessary skill and expertise to design estate plans which will ultimately achieve the client's intent without court intervention. Mr Pawlowski acts as "of counsel" statewide for a major estate planning firm, handling all of their estate litigation. Mr. Pawlowski also handles numerous real property disputes where he utilizes his experience as former licensed real estate professional.

Graduating from California State University, Fullerton in 1989 and from Cal Western School of Law in 1993. Mr. Pawlowski is a member of the California State Bar, Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Section, San Diego County Bar Association and was recognized as an attorney in the National Edition of Who's Who in America. Living in Del Mar with his family, Mr. Pawlowski coaches his son's Little League team, is a board member on the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito and the Del Mar Historical Society. Mr. Pawlowski hosts a weekly radio show in the San Diego area discussing all aspects of Estate Planning and Estate Litigation.

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Keeley C. Luhnow

Practice Areas: Probate, Conservatorships, Trusts Administration, Estate Planning and Elder Law
Email: keeley@albence.com
Phone: 858.454.0024

Keeley C. Luhnow received her B.A. in history from California State University, San Marcos and her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, NorthCarolina. Ms. Luhnow was co-chair of the San Diego County Bar Association Elder Law section in 2006 and was re-elected to serve in 2007. In 2005, she was hired by the State of California to train Adult Protective Services employees in the legal fields of wills, trusts, powers of attorney and advocating for senior citizens and dependant adults legal rights. Ms. Luhnow instructed over 700 Adult Protective Services employees throughout the State of California. Ms. Luhnow is a frequent volunteer for the San Diego Legal Aid conservatorship clinic and Pro Bono Program. She has received the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services in 2005 and 2006 from the State Bar of California and the Outstanding Service Award from Legal Aid Society of San Diego. She practices in the areas of probate, trust administration, conservatorships (general and limited) and estate planning. Ms. Luhnow's organizational affiliations include: San Diego County Bar Association Elder Law section and Estate Planning section, American Bar Association Trust and Probate section, and the California State Bar Association Trust and Probate seciton.

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Brian V. Donnelly, Of Counsel

Practice Areas: Corporate and Securities, Executive Compensation, Labor & Employment
Email: brian@albence.com
Phone: 858.454.0024

Brian Donnelly has over a decade of experience in corporate and securities law, with both public and private companies. In addition, he is considered an expert on executive compensative and stock compensation plans and employee benefits arrangements.

Mr. Donnelly has designed and administered numerous types of compensation plans, including stock option and stock purchase plans. He also advises both companies and individual senior executives on a wide variety of corporate, securities, compensation and labor employment matters.

Mr. Donnelly became affiliated with the firm after practicing at the Palo Alto offices of Brobeck, Phelger & Harrison LLP and the Palo Alto and San Francisco offices of Cooley Godward LLP and Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP.

Mr. Donnelly received his J.D. from Hastings College of Law in 1991. He earned an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University in 1994. Mr. Donnelly earned a bachelors of arts and a masters of arts in accounting from the Catholic University of America in 1988 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

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