Atty. Carol A. Johnston
Carol Johnston works with individual clients to develop sophisticated planning techniques for the preservation and protection of family wealth. Her advice covers an array of estate and tax planning issues, and she represents fiduciaries and handles administration of estates and trusts.
Profile Summary
About Carol A. Johnston at a glance
Carol A. Johnston is a trusts attorney based in Los Angeles, California, practicing at Katten. Educated at University of Chicago (J.D., 1979). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Probate (2026). Serands clients in Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Carol Johnston works with individual clients to develop sophisticated planning techniques for the preservation and protection of family wealth
- Her advice covers an array of estate and tax planning issues, and she represents fiduciaries and handles administration of estates and trusts
- Widely recognized in legal industry publications as a leading lawyer for trusts and estates, Carol is praised by peers as "knowledgeable" and someone who "works well with others
- Carol is recognized as a leading trusts and estates lawyer by the Chambers High Net Worth guide
- One interview told Chambers: "[Carol] is amazing
- She has a great bedside manner – she is very, very smart and is able to translate clients' rambling ideas into tight plans
- I refer clients to her often because she is such a fine lawyer
- Carol has been certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.Carol's experience includes planning and drafting revocable and irrevocable trusts including dynasty trusts, life insurance planning, premarital planning, and charitable gift planning, including both charitable trusts and the formation of private foundations and public charities
- Carol also has extensive experience in the administration of high value estates with complex assets, estate tax return preparation, estate tax audits, and all aspects of trust administration and probate procedures
- Carol lectures annually on current developments in estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax to other attorneys for Continuing Education of the Bar
- She also serves as chair of the board of trustees for Hollenbeck Palms, Inc., a nonprofit public benefit corporation that provides assisted living and skilled nursing care to seniors
- Carol is on the Board of Directors of Women's Alzheimer's Movement, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about women's increased risk for Alzheimer's, funding women-based scientific research and educating the public about brain health
Practice Areas Explained
Carol A. Johnston's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Carol A. Johnston handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Carol A. Johnston is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Los Angeles are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Los Angeles or all attorneys in California.
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