About James Edward
James Edward Berge is a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in the State of California. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1986. His license is currently in active status. Mr. Berge is the managing partner at the Law Offices of Berge & Berge, a law firm specializing in estate planning, trust, and probate law, located in San Jose, California. He has been practicing law for over 39 years, serving clients throughout the San Francisco South Bay Area.
Mr. Berge earned his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1986. Prior to law school, he completed his undergraduate education at Santa Clara University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Accounting magna cum laude in 1982. He furthered his legal education by obtaining a Master of Laws in Taxation magna cum laude from Golden Gate University School of Law in 1991. Additionally, he is a Certified Public Accountant in California.
Mr. Berge concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and elder law. He represents individuals and families in matters involving the creation of trusts and wills, estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. His practice encompasses all stages of legal proceedings, including initial consultations, document preparation, court filings, and post-death administration.
Throughout his career, Mr. Berge has handled cases in various courts, including the Superior Court of California for the County of Santa Clara. He has also appeared before the California Court of Appeal. Prior to founding his own firm, he worked as an associate attorney at a mid-size litigation firm in San Jose for several years. His extensive experience has equipped him to navigate complex legal issues in estate planning and administration.
Mr. Berge is an active member of the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Sections of the State Bar of California. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Silicon Valley Bar Association. He contributes to the legal community as a contributing author and editor to "Representing the Disabled Person" and "Special Needs Trusts: Planning, Drafting and Administration," publications of California Continuing Education of the Bar. Mr. Berge is fluent in English and Spanish, allowing him to serve a diverse clientele effectively.
