STEPHEN STAFFORD | PARTNER
Stephen Stafford, J.D., LL.M.
PARTNER
Stephen.Stafford@brownandstreza.com
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PARALEGAL
Jessica Santoro Jessica.Santoro@brownandstreza.com
RELATED PRACTICES
BIO
Steve Stafford is a partner with the California law firm of Brown & Streza LLP, which provides integrated business, estate and tax planning for business owners and high-net-worth families. Steve advises privately held businesses, entrepreneurs, and real estate investors across the state of California through all phases of a business, from formation to exit.
Steve forms and structures corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, with each decision custom tailored to the client’s particular tax, liability protection, and succession planning objectives. As general counsel to privately held companies, he provides tax planning, risk management, corporate compliance, contract review and preparation, mergers and acquisitions, and business succession planning services. Steve’s succession planning experience ranges from Buy-Sell Agreements, pre-sale restructuring of companies, intra-family buyouts, transferring the business and real estate interests of high net worth families to irrevocable trusts, to structuring succession plans for lawyers and accountants.
From forming start-ups to counseling multi-generation companies, and from helping new entrepreneurs grow their businesses tax efficiently, to advising seasoned owners regarding the purchase or sale of business interests, Steve takes a holistic approach to serving his clients. He frequently collaborates with his clients’ CPAs, financial advisors, insurance brokers and estate planning attorneys to achieve a tax-efficient outcome and/or to better protect their businesses.
Steve received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley, his Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law, and his Master of Law in Taxation (LL.M.) from Chapman University School of Law.
Steve was a four-year letterman on the Cal Football Team during his undergraduate career, and remains involved with a variety of Cal Alumni organizations. Steve and his wife, Kirsten have four children and have been involved in a number of youth sports and community activities.
Click here for Steve's complete biography.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND | PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION | PUBLICATIONS
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Brown & Streza LLP, Irvine, California
Partner, 2017-Present
Attorney, 2007-2016
Master of Law (LL.M.) in Taxation, Chapman University School of Law, 2009
Gordon & Rees LLP, San Francisco and Newport Beach, California: Attorney, 2003-2007
Juris Doctor, University of San Francisco Law School, 2002
Gap Inc., San Bruno, California
Senior Retirement Benefits Analyst (1995-1999)
Legal Administrator (1999-2001)
Coopers & Lybrand, LLP, San Francisco, California: Associate Benefits Consultant, 1993-1995
Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Berkeley, 1993
Admissions:
All California State Courts
United State District court for the Central District of California
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
2009 - 2012 “Southern California SuperLawyers - Rising Star”
Published by Los Angeles magazine and The Journal for Law & Politics. Only 2.5% of lawyers under the age of 40 and/or in their first 10 years of practice in Los Angeles and Orange Counties receive this honor.
PUBLICATIONS
Financing and Protecting California Businesses, February 2015
Author, “Tax and Accounting Elections” Chapter of California's Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)
Financing and Protecting California Businesses, February 2014
Author, “Tax and Accounting Elections” Chapter of California's Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)
Financing and Protecting California Businesses, February 2013
Co-author, “Tax and Accounting Elections” Chapter of California's Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)
MEDIA MENTIONS
Orange County Register, February 22, 2015
“How Savvy Are You About Homeowner Tax Breaks? Take Our Quiz To Find Out",
Source for technical information related to a home office as an itemized deduction on taxes
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
California Lawyer’s Association (CLA) Business Law Section Webinar, October 22, 2020
Business Succession Planning Opportunities During Today's Unprecedented Times
Orange County Bar Association Business & Corporate Law Section Webinar, August 26, 2020
Business Succession Planning Opportunities During Today's Unprecedented Times
California Lawyers Association (CLA) Webinar, January 24, 2019
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - What Every Attorney Should Know
Financial Planning Association of Orange County (FPA) Quarterly Education Meeting, Irvine, California, August 15, 2018
Tax Treatment of Business Entities under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
CalCPA Forensic Services, Irvine, California, February 8, 2017
Tax Advantages of Business Entities
Harvard Business School and USC Marshall School of Business: Business Growth Conference 2011, Anaheim, California, May 9, 2011
Buy-Sell Agreements and Business Entity Structures: Get it Right or Pay the Price
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church: Parishioner and Usher
University of California, Berkeley – Orange County Cal Alumni Club
Member
Former Advisory Board Member
Orange County Bar Association, Business Law and Tax Law Sections: Member
ProVisors
Member
Host of Irvine Spectrum Group
Legatus: Member of San Juan Capistrano Chapter
St. Thomas More Society of Orange County: Member
Charles Institute: Leadership Team
Athletes Touch (Professional Networking Community of Former College and Professional Athletes):
Member, 2010–2020
Former Group Leader for Orange County Chapter, 2011–2015
Dana Hills High School Football’s 2013 Honor the Valor Benefit Game: Co-Chair (Benefit/fundraiser honoring combat veterans that served from WWII to Afghanistan)
Former Coach: youth soccer, football, basketball and baseball teams
Big C Society (Cal Student – Athlete alumni)
Member
Board of Directors, 1996–1998