Our Practice
Donner Legal Services, A Professional Law Corporation, is the culmination of over four decades of dedicated client service and legal evolution. Our roots trace back to the early 1980s, when Renate Bentsen founded a small but trusted tax preparation and representation practice. Over time, as her clientele's needs grew and diversified, so did the firm.
The practice entered a new chapter under the leadership of her husband, Dr. Thomas J. Donner, Esq., who transitioned from a distinguished career in public service at Santa Monica College into private practice. With his guidance, the firm expanded beyond tax matters to offer services in business law, estate planning, probate, and trust administration. In collaboration with a team of skilled attorneys in "of counsel" roles, the firm grew in both size and scope.
In 2017, following a series of consolidations with other practices, the firm was formally incorporated as Donner Legal Services, A Professional Law Corporation. This step marked a renewed commitment to providing comprehensive, personalized legal services rooted in decades of experience.
Our estate planning practice developed naturally in response to our clients’ evolving needs—as they aged, started families, and sought peace of mind for the future. We pride ourselves on offering estate plans that are never “one-size-fits-all.” Every plan is carefully crafted to reflect each client’s unique situation, values, and goals.
We also bring a distinctive strength to trust and estate administration by integrating our deep understanding of tax law. Time and again, we’ve encountered cases where prior planning overlooked significant tax implications—resulting in unnecessary expense or complication. Our holistic approach has consistently saved our clients time, money, and stress.
At Donner Legal Services, we remain committed to delivering an experience that is individualized, integrated, and deeply personal. As we continue to modernize and evolve, our core values remain unchanged: offering thoughtful, effective legal solutions tailored to the people we serve.
