Sinclair counsels individuals and families in the implementation of various estate planning techniques, from revocable living trust planning (with sensitivity to separate property and community property issues) to complex wealth transfer strategies. Solutions are tailored based on each client’s needs and may range from the straightforward to more intricate dealings, including intra-family loans, sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), family business succession entities, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs) and qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs). Sinclair has also successfully represented clients in estate tax and gift tax audits, trust reformation proceedings and requests for private letter rulings. In addition, his practice includes advising California fiduciaries concerning trust, probate and estate administration matters.

Before joining Carr McClellan, Sinclair was an associate in the Menlo Park office of Perkins Coie, LLP, where he counseled clients on a variety of general corporate transactions, including corporate formation, venture capital financing and merger and acquisition matters.  After receiving his undergraduate degree in public policy, he worked at the Association to Benefit Children in New York City, serving as the organization’s Director of Volunteer Programs.

Sinclair was named to the prestigious Northern California Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list in 2009, 2010 and 2011—an honor awarded to no more than 2.5% of California lawyers.

Special Expertise

  • Comprehensive estate planning with a sensitivity to community property and separate property issues and the minimization of estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) taxes
  • Intra-family loans and sales
  • Intergenerational dynastic trust planning
  • Family business succession entities, including limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability corporations (LLCs)
  • Transfer tax advocacy before the IRS Estate & Gift Tax Division
  • Trust, probate and estate administration 

Contact Information

Sinclair Hwang

P: 650-342-9600
F: 650-342-7685

Practice Areas

Academic Credentials

  • J.D., University of California at Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall)
           California Law Review
           Berkeley Technology Law Journal
  • A.B., cum laude, Princeton University 
           (Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs)

Expertise and affiliations

  • Professional Affiliations
    • San Mateo County Bar Association, Estate Planning and Probate Section
    • State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates Section
    • Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, Social Committee Co-Chair (2005-2007)
  • Civic Affiliations
    • Palo Alto Medical Foundation Philanthropy Advisors Council (2011-Present)
    • Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA:

              Board of Directors, 2005 - present

              Chair of Audit Committee, 2008

              Secretary, 2005 - 2007

     

  • Honors and Awards
    • Selected to Northern California Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list, 2009-2011
  • External Publications
    • Over the River and Through the Woods: Creative Estate Planning Ideas for Grandchildren,
      California Trusts and Estates Quarterly, Co-Author, Fall 2009

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