September 10, 2026
West Coast Co-Chairs of Willkie's Private Wealth Group Andrew Copans and Kathy Wunderli have been named to Daily Journal's "Top Estate & Wealth Management Lawyers 2026," an annual list of the leading trust, estate planning, and probate lawyers in California.
Andrew was selected for the second year in a row as one of the premier estate and wealth planning attorneys for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. He provides comprehensive counsel on estate and wealth planning, including wealth transfer planning, income tax planning, charitable planning, private trust company formation, family office creation, business succession planning, and estate administration. Daily Journal noted his recent work creating a family office, decanting related trusts and implementing an efficient profits interest structure, among other complex matters. The profile also discussed his career path and highlighted the mentorship of senior counsel Jonathan Lurie, who has influenced much of Andrew's approach to legal practice.
"The most important lesson I learned from Jonathan is to work hard and make sure your clients can really trust you, which you achieve not only by being a very skilled lawyer, but also by being a very skilled listener," Andrew shared. "I make sure I listen first and truly understand what the client is aiming to achieve in terms of tax planning, family planning, and the legacy that they want to ultimately leave behind."
Kathy was recognized for excellence in representing high-net-worth families and individuals on a wide range of tax matters, including estate planning, probate and trust administration, and pre-marital, post-marital, and transmutation agreements. Daily Journal highlighted her work implementing an estate plan that successfully manages multigenerational wealth for a client whose assets, heirs and citizenship span several countries, among other achievements. She discussed her initial career as a tax attorney and path to becoming a top private wealth practitioner. "Attorneys in this space have to understand the law and the heart," Kathy shared. "They need to be flexible because the perfect strategy from a technical perspective may not align with what your client needs emotionally or personally."
Daily Journal also highlighted Kathy's nearly two-decade mentorship with Michele Mulrooney, the late Co-Chair of Willkie's National Private Wealth Group. "Beyond teaching me the intricacies of a complex area of law, she taught me how to become a true advisor to my clients, to understand what they actually need and want," Kathy said.
View Andrew Copans’ profile and Kathy Wunderli's profile in the Daily Journal's "Top Estate & Wealth Management Lawyers 2026” here (subscription may be required).
Andrew was selected for the second year in a row as one of the premier estate and wealth planning attorneys for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. He provides comprehensive counsel on estate and wealth planning, including wealth transfer planning, income tax planning, charitable planning, private trust company formation, family office creation, business succession planning, and estate administration. Daily Journal noted his recent work creating a family office, decanting related trusts and implementing an efficient profits interest structure, among other complex matters. The profile also discussed his career path and highlighted the mentorship of senior counsel Jonathan Lurie, who has influenced much of Andrew's approach to legal practice.
"The most important lesson I learned from Jonathan is to work hard and make sure your clients can really trust you, which you achieve not only by being a very skilled lawyer, but also by being a very skilled listener," Andrew shared. "I make sure I listen first and truly understand what the client is aiming to achieve in terms of tax planning, family planning, and the legacy that they want to ultimately leave behind."
Kathy was recognized for excellence in representing high-net-worth families and individuals on a wide range of tax matters, including estate planning, probate and trust administration, and pre-marital, post-marital, and transmutation agreements. Daily Journal highlighted her work implementing an estate plan that successfully manages multigenerational wealth for a client whose assets, heirs and citizenship span several countries, among other achievements. She discussed her initial career as a tax attorney and path to becoming a top private wealth practitioner. "Attorneys in this space have to understand the law and the heart," Kathy shared. "They need to be flexible because the perfect strategy from a technical perspective may not align with what your client needs emotionally or personally."
Daily Journal also highlighted Kathy's nearly two-decade mentorship with Michele Mulrooney, the late Co-Chair of Willkie's National Private Wealth Group. "Beyond teaching me the intricacies of a complex area of law, she taught me how to become a true advisor to my clients, to understand what they actually need and want," Kathy said.
View Andrew Copans’ profile and Kathy Wunderli's profile in the Daily Journal's "Top Estate & Wealth Management Lawyers 2026” here (subscription may be required).
