About Michael Offenheiser
Michael J. Offenheiser was admitted to the California bar in 2005 and has practiced as an estate planning attorney since that time. He earned his Bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and his Juris Doctorate degree (cum laude) from the Ave Maria School of Law. Michael is board certified in estate planning law by the California Bar Association. He is a Blackstone Fellow and recipient of a Distinguished Scholar Award from the State of Maryland. In law school, Michael served on the Executive Board of the Ave Maria Law Review. In 2019, Michael was recognized as Attorney of the Year by St. Thomas More Society of Orange County during the 31st Annual Red Mass.
Michael has worked the majority of his career at Brown & Streza, and has taught estate planning as an Adjunct Professor of Law. In his practice, Michael works closely with individuals and families to create estate plans that reflect their unique goals and desires. This may involve the preparation of wills, living trusts, irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, special needs trusts, or the implementation of other estate planning techniques.
Michael once served as a member of the Board of Directors and as a member of the Planned Giving Committee for the Orange Catholic Foundation. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the St. Thomas More Society of Orange County and leads an initiative of the St. Thomas More Society called the Charles Institute.
Since 2022, Michael has been selected for inclusion on the Southern California Super Lawyers list by the publishers of Los Angeles magazine and The Journal for Law & Politics magazine – a distinction recognizing only 5% of the attorneys in Southern California (excluding San Diego). He was also recognized as a “Rising Star” by Southern California Super Lawyers in 2014 and 2015.
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)
2022-2024 “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
