James A. Gianelli, J.D., L.L.M.

Jim was born and raised in Modesto, California. He attended the University of California at San Diego where he earned a B.A. degree in political science, and subsequently attended the McGeorge School of Law where he earned a Juris Doctorate degree. In 1981 Jim moved to Sonora with his wife and first son, and he began his law practice under the firm and tutelage of his father and mentor, Louis F. Gianelli (who practiced law in Modesto, California). He focused his practice in the areas of Business Law and Estate Planning. While practicing law in Sonora, Jim commuted to McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and earned a” Masters of Laws” in Business and Taxation degree. He later became a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

Areas of Practice:

• Estate Planning
• Probate
• Trust Administration
• Elder Law
• Business Law
• Non-Profit Law

Educational Background

• 1984: Received Masters in Law in Business and Taxation (L.L.M.) from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law;
• 1979: Received Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law;
• Honors: Traynor (Honor) Society; American Jurisprudence Award (#1 in class of 150 persons) in Civil Procedure; International Moot Court Honors Award.
• 1976: Received Bachelor of Administration (B.A.) from University of California at San Diego in Political Science (International Affairs emphasis).
• Honors: Graduated with High Honors; Parent’s Fund Scholarship Award
  (graduated #1 in class of 1976 in Political Science Major).

Professional Background:

• 1981 to Present: Owner, founder and manager of Gianelli & Polley, A Professional Law Corporation;
• Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Estates; Formerly was Certified
  Specialist in Taxation (allowed to lapse when Estate Planning specialty became available in the State of California);
• Teacher, lecturer and writer on various estate planning, business, charitable giving and non profit topics. Publications include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Planned Giving, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation newsletter (National
  Publication), 2011
• Columnist for Friends and Neighbors Magazine (local publication); “Estate
  Planning”
• Community Foundations: The Broker of Philanthropy Model; Council on
  Foundations newsletter (National Publication)
• Instructor: Columbia Community College Course: “Estate Planning For
  Retirement”
• Instructor: Sierra Non Profit Support Center Course: “Non Profits: Getting
  Your Legal House In Order”;
• Presentation: ”Estate Planning Myths”
• Presentation: “Charitable Giving;
• Presentation: “Small Business Planning”
• Several other Presentations in estate planning, elder law, business and non-profit law areas
• Honors: Personally received award of Best Attorney In Tuolumne County in 2005,
  2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009- firm of Gianelli and Polley (comprising Tamara Polley,
  Tirzah Woodward and Jim Gianelli) received award in 2010 and 2011; AV (highest
  attainable rating) Attorney Rating by Martindale Hubble peer rating system.

Community Involvement/Honors:

• 2009: Tuolumne County Volunteers Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree
• 2009: Appointed as Practice and Ethics Advisor (attorney to advise community
  foundation members) to State League of California Community Foundations
• 2009: Initial Director/co-founder of Sierra Life-Net, tax-exempt organization whose
  mission was to enhance the lives of seniors in our community (our County is the eldest
  population of any county in California) through various programs
• December 2008: Appointed to be Director (Citizen at Large) for Economic
  Development Advisory Counsel (Joint Powers Association between City of Sonora and County of Tuolumne) developed for the purpose of planning the economic development of Tuolumne County
• 1997-2009: Twelve years on board of directors, former board chair, of the Sonora Area Foundation, a rural community foundation with current and committed asset base of approximately $40,000,000, one of the largest per capita community foundations in the nation
• Distinctions: Co-Facilitator of session at the State League of Community
  Foundations 2008 Conference in San Francisco; Author of article: “Community
  Foundations: The Broker of Philanthropy Model” published by Council On
  Foundations; currently serve as well on both of the supporting organization boards of directors (The Symons Family Fund and The Irving J. Symons Foundation); current Chair of the Finance Committee and Grants Committee; former chair of the Development Committee: former co-chair of the strategic planning steering committee for the Sonora Area Foundation and its supporting organizations; former chair of Legal Committee
• Steering Committee for Suicide Prevention and Response Study (2007);
• Original steering committee for the Tuolumne County Indicators Project;
• Steering and strategic planning committee for the Sierra Non Profit Support Center;
• Board of Directors of Sonora Community Hospital (six years);
• Director and former President of Sonora Community Hospital Advisory Board;
• Board of Directors of El Capitan National Bank (largest local bank until sale in 1997);
• Board of Directors of Women’s Crisis Center Advisory Board;
• Board of Directors of local Rotary International Club (former Rotarian of the Year).