David A. Shapiro has been named to Los Angeles Magazine’s inaugural Best of LA Legal 2026 list, published in the June 2026 Special Election Issue. It’s the first time the publication has produced a dedicated legal recognition in this format, which means every attorney included is part of a founding class selected through a rigorous, independently designed process. For a boutique firm focused exclusively on trust and estate law, inclusion alongside large multi-practice institutions carries particular weight.
What gives this recognition independent grounding is Attorney Shapiro’s existing credential as a Board Certified Attorney in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, certified by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California. That certification is held by only a small fraction of practicing California attorneys and requires passing a written examination, demonstrating extensive experience in the field, fulfilling ongoing continuing education requirements, and obtaining favorable evaluations from fellow attorneys and judges.
How the Best of LA Legal Selection Process Works
Unlike programs that operate on nominations or paid submissions, LA Magazine built the Best of LA Legal list in-house under the guidance of a former publisher of Super Lawyers, one of the most established peer-review legal rating services in the country. The process also involved a third-party data team that surveyed attorneys directly, reviewed existing reputable legal rankings, and applied editorial judgment to the results.
The methodology included asking Los Angeles attorneys to list who they would call if one of their clients needed help outside their own practice area, and gathering input from people who have hired legal counsel. Honorees were verified through current state licensure and professional standing. The combination of peer referral patterns, established ranking data, and independent editorial review makes the selection something more than a badge. It reflects how the Los Angeles legal community thinks about who handles trust and estate matters well.
We’re grateful to the Los Angeles legal community for this recognition and to LA Magazine for building a process that takes the selection seriously. Our commitment to personalized, rigorous trust and estate representation doesn’t change with an award, but we’re proud that the work has been noticed. If you’re navigating a trust or estate matter and want to speak with our team, reach us at (310) 853-1554.