Professional Experience
Private Law Practice
Santa Cruz, California, 1993 – present.
Areas of practice: estate planning, wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney and advance directives, elder law, public benefits planning and special needs trusts, conservatorships and guardianships, trust administration and probate.
Ombudsman/Advocate Inc.
Santa Cruz, California, 1982 – 1992.
(Now Advocacy, Inc.) Program director, senior ombudsman, and patient advocate. Provided advocacy for institutionalized elderly and mental health clients.
Private Law Practice
Sacramento, California, 1976 – 1980.
General private practice, including business entities, family law, estate planning, and probate.
Memberships and Affiliations
- State Bar of California, Member, SB# 70626
- Trust and Estates Section of the State Bar of California, Member
- Santa Cruz County Bar Association, Member
- Women Lawyers of Santa Cruz County, Member
- Santa Cruz County Estate Planning Council, Member
- Legal Information Network, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, Member
- Senior Citizens Legal Services, former Board Member
- Health Projects Center, Business Advisory Committee Member
- ACLU of Santa Cruz County, former Board Member
- Alzheimer’s Assoc. of N. Calif. and N. Nevada, Santa Cruz Area, former Board Member
- Food & Nutrition Services, former Board Member
Recognition
Pro Bono Award for Outstanding Public Service
Santa Cruz County Bar Association, 2005
Personal Interests
Lucille Des Jardins has a strong appreciation of the roles and workings of family. In addition to her husband, three children, and five grandchildren, she is blessed to have close relationships with two sisters, a brother, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Activities
Lucille Des Jardins enjoys running, bicycling, swimming, playing her clarinet, and listening to music.
Education
JD, McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, California, 1976
BA, English Literature, University of California, Davis, California, 1972