Atty. Jill S. Dodd

Atty. Jill S. Dodd

Jill Dodd chairs the firm’s estate planning and personal representation practice, focusing on gift, estate and philanthropic planning for very-high-net-worth individuals and families. Jill counsels very-high-net-worth individuals in all aspects of gift, estate and philanthropic planning.

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Profile Summary

About Jill S. Dodd at a glance

Jill S. Dodd is a trusts and tax attorney based in San Francisco, California, practicing at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP. Admitted to practice in California, State Bar of California. Educated at University of California Berkeley (—, 1987) and University of California Berkeley (J.D., 1987). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Trusts and Estates (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Nonprofit / Charities Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law (2026). Serands clients in San Francisco, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Jill Dodd chairs the firm’s estate planning and personal representation practice, focusing on gift, estate and philanthropic planning for very-high-net-worth individuals and families
  • Jill counsels very-high-net-worth individuals in all aspects of gift, estate and philanthropic planning
  • She has extensive experience designing and implementing a variety of sophisticated structures, including family limited partnerships, grantor retained annuity trusts, insurance trusts, complex grantor trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, charitable lead trusts and charitable remainder trusts, all designed to transfer assets to heirs and to charities in a tax-efficient manner that respects the values of the families
  • Jill routinely represents individuals in gift and estate tax audits before the IRS
  • She also counsels clients on all aspects of trust administration
  • In her not-for-profit practice, Jill acts as outside general counsel to charitable organizations of all types, including community foundations large and small
  • operating charities, such as museums and schools
  • and private family foundations
  • She has extensive experience in all aspects of a charity’s activities, including structuring start-ups and obtaining exemptions
  • advising on compliance issues with respect to local, state and federal law
  • advising on governance issues, including conflict of interest and fiduciary duties
  • and working with charities to structure subsidiaries and joint ventures
  • She has successfully represented charities in audits before the California Attorney General, the Franchise Tax Board and the IRS

Practice Areas Explained

Jill S. Dodd's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jill S. Dodd handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Trusts

Jill S. Dodd is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in California →

Tax Law

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

Jill S. Dodd is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Jill S. Dodd

Where is Jill S. Dodd's law office located?
Jill S. Dodd's law practice is located in San Francisco, California. The firm is Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Jill S. Dodd handle?
Jill S. Dodd focuses on trusts, tax. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
Where did Jill S. Dodd go to law school?
Jill S. Dodd earned their education at (—, 1987); (J.D., 1987); (—, 1977).
How can I contact Jill S. Dodd for a consultation?
You can contact Jill S. Dodd directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Jill S. Dodd received?
Jill S. Dodd's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Trusts and Estates; Best Lawyers in America — Nonprofit / Charities Law; Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law; Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:.

Education

University of California Berkeley
- 1987
J.D.
University of California Berkeley
- 1987
Harvard University
- 1977

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Nonprofit / Charities Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Business and Succession Planning
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Charitable Gift Planning
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Income Tax
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Nonprofit Organizations and Charitable Giving
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Private Foundations
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax Planning
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax-Exempt Organizations
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Ranked in the Chambers and Partners 2016 High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth Law – Northern California
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Daily Journal, “Top Women Lawyers in California,” 2011
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awarded the 2011 Phil Hoffmire Service Award, The Northern California Planned Giving Council
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Worth magazine, “Top 100 Lawyers Advising High-Net-Worth Clients,” 2007, 2008
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — California Super Lawyer, 2007-present
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named Best Lawyers Trusts and Estates Litigation “Lawyer of the Year,” 2017
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Nonprofit / Charities Law (San Francisco)
- 2021
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Trusts and Estates (San Francisco)
- 2017

Bar Admissions

California, State Bar of California

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