Atty. Michael E. O'Connor
Michael E. O’Connor is a retired attorney who served clients at Costello, Cooney & Fearon for nearly a decade.
Estate Administration & More Attorney · Serving Bel Air, CA · 51+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Michael E. O'Connor at a Glance
Michael E. O'Connor is a Retired based in Bel Air, California, practicing at Costello Cooney & Fearon, PLLC. They have 51+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1975. Their practice focuses on trusts, probate, tax, estate litigation, and elder law. Admitted to practice in New York United States Supreme Court (1975). Educated at Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 1974) and State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A., 1970). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Onondaga County Bar Association New York State Bar Association American Bar Association. Serves clients in Bel Air, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from Michael E. O'Connor in Bel Air
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About Michael E. O'Connor
- Michael E. O’Connor is a retired attorney who served clients at Costello, Cooney & Fearon for nearly a decade
- Michael, a storied and experienced professional with a career spanning nearly fifty years, focused his practice on trust and estate planning, trust and estate administration, elder law, and providing strategies for federal and state estate tax and income tax matters
- Over the course of his career, Michael worked with a variety of clients, from individuals looking to maximize their estate holdings to estates looking to protect assets from being acquired by end-of-life care costs
- Teaching and mentoring are passions for Michael
- He has taught as an adjunct professor at Cornell University’s Cornell Law School in estate planning and continues to participate in community educational, TV and radio programs on estate planning issues
- Michael has also authored countless articles and publications on estate planning
- Clients of Michael’s are welcome to reach out to Costello, Cooney & Fearon for continued representation
- Please contact Wendy S. Lougnot, head of the Firm’s Trusts & Estates practice areas
Practice Areas Explained
Michael E. O'Connor's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael E. O'Connor handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Bel Air.
Trusts in Bel Air
Michael E. O'Connor is one of 103,428 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in California →
Probate in Bel Air
Michael E. O'Connor is one of 127,041 probate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse probate attorneys in California →
Tax Law in Bel Air
Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.
Michael E. O'Connor is one of 84,606 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in California →
Estate & Trust Litigation in Bel Air
Michael E. O'Connor is one of 19,876 estate litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate litigation attorneys in California →
Elder Law in Bel Air
Elder law attorneys for Medicaid planning, long-term care, guardianship, conservatorship, and elder abuse.
Michael E. O'Connor is one of 52,999 elder law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse elder law attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Bel Air
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 Bel Air 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 venue, 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.
Bel Air Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Bel Air-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Bel Air or all attorneys in California.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Michael E. O'Connor
Where is Michael E. O'Connor's law office located?
What practice areas does Michael E. O'Connor handle?
How long has Michael E. O'Connor practiced law?
Where did Michael E. O'Connor go to law school?
How can I contact Michael E. O'Connor for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Michael E. O'Connor received?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in Bel Air Choose Michael E. O'Connor
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Michael E. O'Connor's practice in the field of trusts, probate, tax, estate litigation, and elder law.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Michael E. O'Connor brings 51+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering trusts, probate, and tax, Michael E. O'Connor can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Bel Air
A Bel Air-based practice means Michael E. O'Connor attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Michael E. O'Connor Handles in Bel Air
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Michael E. O'Connor has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Michael E. O'Connor directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Michael E. O'Connor Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in Bel Air commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Michael E. O'Connor.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Michael E. O'Connor directly.
Michael E. O'Connor's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Awards & Professional Honors
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — Michael E. O'Connor
No reviews yet.