About Michael Offenheiser
Michael J. Offenheiser is a partner at Brown & Streza LLP, where he advises individuals, families, and business owners on sophisticated estate planning and wealth transfer matters.
For more than two decades, Michael has counseled clients on the legal and personal dimensions of preserving wealth, caring for family members, and navigating multigenerational planning decisions. His practice includes the design and implementation of revocable and irrevocable trust structures, business succession planning, and complex family wealth-transfer arrangements.
Clients value Michael for his practical judgment, thoughtful counsel, and ability to simplify complicated planning issues while remaining attentive to the unique dynamics and long-term objectives of each family. He regularly works alongside clients’ financial, tax, and other professional advisors to develop integrated planning strategies tailored to both present needs and future generations.
Michael also has a particular interest in the human and family dimensions of wealth planning, including questions surrounding inheritance, family dynamics, and the preparation of future generations for the opportunities and burdens that wealth can create.
Michael is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law — a distinction held by a limited number of attorneys in California. He has been recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyer since 2022, an honor awarded to less than five percent of attorneys in Southern California, and previously was named a Southern California Rising Star. In 2019, he was honored as Attorney of the Year by the St. Thomas More Society of Orange County during the Society’s annual Red Mass.
In addition to his legal practice, Michael has taught estate planning as an adjunct professor and regularly speaks on estate planning, multigenerational planning, and the human dimensions of wealth transfer for professional and community organizations.
Michael earned his J.D., cum laude, from Ave Maria School of Law, where he served on the Executive Board of the Ave Maria Law Review, and his B.A., magna cum laude, from The Catholic University of America.
Professional Background
Brown & Streza, LLP, Irvine, California
Partner, 2018-Present
Attorney, 2013-2018
Copenbarger & Copenbarger, LLP, Irvine, California
Attorney, 2012-2013
Law Office of Michael J. Offenheiser, Orange County, California
Solo Practitioner, 2011-2012
Bolen Fransen, LLP, Fresno, California
Attorney, 2008-2010
Fresno City College, Fresno, California
Adjunct Professor, 2010
Dowling, Aaron, & Keeler, P.C., Fresno, California
Attorney, 2006-2008
Juris Doctor, cum laude, Ave Maria School of Law, 2005
Ave Maria Law Review
Executive Board Member
Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, The Catholic University of America, 1999
Professional Recognition
Board Certified in Estate Planning Law, 7/1/2015
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law (California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization)
2022-2025 “Southern California Super Lawyer”
2019 Attorney of the Year, St. Thomas More Society of Orange County
2014 – 2015 “Southern California Super Lawyers – Rising Star”
Speaking Engagements
Napa Institute Conference, Napa, California, July 26, 2024
- Co-Presenter, Mission Based Planning with Catholic Values
New York Life, Newport Beach, California, July 18, 2024
- Essential Estate Planning
Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, Live Interactive Webinar, June 11, 2024
- Co-Presenter, Mission Based Planning with Catholic Values
Orange Catholic Foundation, Orange County, California, 2011-2016
- Estate Planning Presentations
NAIFA Brown Bag Webinar, Irvine, California, April 21, 2016
- Basic Living Trust
Estate Planning Workshop Series 2014, Irvine, California, September 30, 2014
- Advanced Healthcare Directives and More
Goodwill of OC, Santa Ana, California, September 4, 2014
- Special Needs Trust Presentation
University of California, Irvine, 2013
- Estate Planning Presentation
Goodwill Industries of Orange County, California, 2011
- Special Needs Trust Educational Seminar
The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding, California, 2011
- Special Needs Trust Educational Seminar
Community Involvement
Charles Institute – Founding Member
Board of Directors, St. Thomas More Society of Orange County – Member
Orange Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Orange – Member, Former Board of Directors and Planned Giving Committee Member
Orange County Estate Planning Council – Past Member
Financial Planning Association – Past Member