Overview
We are a boutique 11-attorney law firm that is nationally and regionally recognized for its excellence in Trusts and Estates Law. We are based in Los Angeles and Orange counties, with offices in El Segundo near LAX and John Wayne airports. We represent individuals, families, trustees, executors, and beneficiaries throughout Southern California.
In Los Angeles County, most of our estate planning and administration clients reside in the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Culver City, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Cheviot Hills, and Malibu.
In Orange County, most of our administration clients come from Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Yorba Linda, Coto de Caza, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, and Dana Point.
In our litigation practices, we have represented clients in the courts of all major counties in Southern California. While we limit court actions to Southern California courts, our litigation clients are nationwide.
Our highly specialized and experienced attorneys represent clients in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate litigation, trust administration, financial elder abuse litigation, probate, conservatorship and guardianship administration, and trust and probate appeals.
Rankings
National
Tier
2
National Ranking
Trusts and EstatesRegional
Los Angeles
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Litigation - Trusts and EstatesTier
1
Los Angeles
Trusts and EstatesAbout Our Clients
Representative clients generally involve estates (whether trust, probate or conservatorship) between $10,000,000 and $100,000,000.
Highlighted Client Comments
These featured testimonials reflect a sampling of client experiences. As every legal matter is unique—comments are personal opinions, not guarantees of future results.
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Chris Carico of Carico Johnson Toomey was retained for my family's legal matter. He served as primary advisor overseeing our case along with a team of other professionals. He took a holistic approach in understanding our needs and reached resolution for us in a relatively short amount of time. Chris showed a sensitivity for and sensibility towards the nature of familial issue such as ours and helped us maintain perspective throughout the process. I would recommend the Carico Johnson Toomey firm to anyone seeking trust and estate planning counsel.
Victoria Smaldino
Union BankTrusts and Estates
Angela Kil of Carico Johnson Toomey counseled me on issues involved with settling estate issues with the Trustee. She and her staff were thorough and detailed in explaining the California 'legalese' involved with addressing situations between me, Beneficiary, and the Trustee. The explanations were invaluable. Angela suggested and explained the steps I could take. She heard what I had to say about my desires and advised me accordingly, bringing the estate to closure. I would definitely recommend working with this firm. They are professional, they responded to me timely, and they listened to me. I am in New Jersey and needed to understand California law. Her team was excellent.
Amy Denecke
Beneficiary – Beverly Harper TrustTrusts and Estates
Carico Johnson Toomey is extremely competent, responsive and able to articulate client's needs in an expert and timely fashion. Our team has worked with this firm extensively with for over 20 years and found their services to exceed both our and our client's expectations. Their attention to detail is superb and they are able to reduce to writing complex agreements when necessary in a cost effective manner.
Larry Prutch
Senior Vice President-Investments, CFP CIMA, CPM – Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Bank of AmericaTrusts and Estates
Carico Johnson Toomey is the most professional and knowledgeable I have worked with. I have had a lot of experience employing firms for international business law but knew little about planning my own Trust and Estate. Met with a few firms before going to CJT and it was obvious from first meeting that these guys were professionals and knew what they were doing. But more than that, and what really set them apart, is that they really cared about me as a client, not just a bag of money walking through the door. They really took the time to find out personal details about myself and my family as well as extended family in order to best develop a plan that would benefit them after I am gone. Their experience and guidance opened my eyes to many many things I had never even thought of. It was evident that their interest was in setting up a plan that would not only benefit my family financially after I am gone but also protect them against themselves, each other, and outsiders. This was very comforting. These are hard things to consider but things which, if the right planning is made, will never have the opportunity to emerge and potentially divide loved ones. For this I am grateful to them because I can rest easy now and rest easy in the hereafter.
Daniel Barker
President – Mikuni USA IncTrusts and Estates
We had an exceptional experience working with Bruce Macdonald at Carico Johnson Toomey on our issues. He was responsive, proactive and very effective. His level of expertise is excellent and his communication of our issues was clear and concise. We would recommend him to anyone seeking assistance with trusts and estate law.
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
I have dealt with many attorneys in my life and this firm stands out above the rest as being an exceptionally hard working, intelligent, efficient, having great ethical standards, and easy to communicate with. They return phone calls and emails in a very timely manner; even after normal office hours. I highly recommend Chris Carico and Bruce MacDonald, partners of this firm. This firm is a true value in every way. You can't get any better, and I recommend this firm to anyone.
Claudine Moore
Trustee – M&M Property Management Company; The Herbert J. Meany Separate Property TrustTrusts and Estates
I have found Carico Johnson Toomey to be extremely effective, efficient, and transparent in their work, and have relied on them for years for trusts and estate counsel. I have recommended them to many friends and colleagues over the years.
Chris Warshaw
Gnarus LLCTrusts and Estates
My referral to Carico Johnson Toomey was in September of 2003 and from that date forward they have represented my sons "trusts" filing all of the court ordered requests required to monitor these accounts as minors. When each of them reached the age of 18 the court awarded the trust to them individually and they have gone forward continuing to have Carico represent them. The hours they spent from the fall of 2003 until now have been more than what has been billed and I have since met other individuals that utilize their services and they also recognize their personal commitment to their clients.
Ray Soll
Trusts and Estates
We have been using the excellent services of Carico Johnson Toomey for more than 25 years. Their knowledge and work on behalf of our clients and myself personally has been impeccable, proven and well executed.
Cengiz Volkan
Partner – The PVG GroupRankings
National
Tier
2
National Ranking
Trusts and EstatesRegional
Los Angeles
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Litigation - Trusts and EstatesTier
1
Los Angeles
Trusts and EstatesPractice Areas
Carico Macdonald Kil & Benz LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 2 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
- Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- Trusts and Estates
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
Carico Macdonald Kil & Benz LLP proudly has 4 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
Client Comments
A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
Offices & Contacts
El Segundo, CA
841 Apollo Street, Suite 450
El Segundo, CA 90245
United States
Laguna Hills, CA
24422 Avenida De La Carlota, Suite 285
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
United States