Our Firm

Meet Jeannette Marsala

Jeannette Marsala is an estate planning attorney licensed in California.

Jeannette R. Marsala (she/hers) is the owner of Marsala Law Firm, an estate planning law firm in San Jose, California. She graduated from Golden Gate University School of Law in 2007, with a specialization certificate in Litigation with distinction. She also earned her Masters in law in Estate Planning in 2018. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Business Management Economics with honors in her major.

Growing up in San Jose, Jeannette initially wanted to be a computer engineer. However, after her first year in college, it was clear that engineering was not the right career path for her. After browsing through potential college majors, she saw "business law" and thought "I could do that. I could write contracts and advise businesses. But wait, that means law school..." So Jeannette's career in law began.

During law school, she received an internship doing commercial litigation and discovered that she enjoyed the law and motion, researching law and writing briefs. Jeannette decided to focus her legal career on litigation. After graduating law school and passing the bar exam, Jeannette worked at a boutique law firm in Los Angeles doing bankruptcy litigation.

46486291_1161450507353672_211277825066401792_n

After years working at bankruptcy firms, Jeannette wanted to switch paths to something closer to why she wanted to go to law school in the first place. After much discernment, she felt pulled to estate planning. Jeannette wanted to work one on one with her clients. She wanted to proactively prevent problems from dominating her clients' lives and not spending time reacting to past mistakes. She wanted to educate her clients on how to better plan and avoid Court. Jeannette was over spending her days in Court, and she wanted to help her clients avoid having to go to Court too.

From a young age, Jeannette has a passion for volunteering, improving her community and taking on leadership roles in her neighborhood association, volunteer organizations, Church, and business networking groups. When she graduated from Notre Dame High School, she earned the "Spirit of Notre Dame" award in recognition for her volunteer work. Today, she is an active volunteer with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley where she mentors and advocates for foster children. She started a project of installing Little Free Libraries in East San Jose with an emphasis on delivering children's books to underserved communities. Jeannette is currently on the San Jose Parkland Dedication And Park Impact Ordinance Fee Study where she can advocate for improvements to parks and playgrounds in San Jose.

Meet Mochi

Director of Client Happiness & Chief Fur-nancial Advisor

At Marsala Law Firm, we understand that pets are family, and no one proves that better than Mochi Marsala, our Director of Client Happiness & Chief Fur-nancial Advisor. Mochi is more than just a mini golden retriever—she’s a beloved fur baby, an office morale booster, and a reminder of why pet estate planning matters.

Mochi brings both charm and credentials to her role. She earned her Canine Good Citizen certification in October 2023 and achieved her AKC Trick Dog title in 2024, demonstrating not just her intelligence but also her dedication to being the best four-legged legal assistant. When she’s not busy supervising client meetings (read: begging for belly rubs), she’s performing quality control on treats, perfecting her escape artist skills, or indulging in her love for all fruit—especially persimmons!

IMG_7556-scaled

As a cherished family member, Mochi reminds us why pet trusts are essential for responsible pet owners. Many people assume their pets will automatically be cared for if something happens to them, but without proper planning, pets can end up in uncertain situations. That’s why we help clients establish legally binding pet trusts, ensuring their furry companions receive the love, care, and financial support they deserve.

Mochi’s presence at Marsala Law Firm highlights our commitment to holistic estate planning, ensuring that every member of the family—human and non-human alike—is protected. If you’re wondering how to set up a pet trust in California, Mochi and the team are here to help guide you through the process. Because just like Mochi, your pets deserve a future as bright as their wagging tails.

P.S. – If you visit the office, Mochi will gladly accept pets, treats, and admiration. Just don’t leave your lunch unattended—she considers it fair game!

Schedule Your LIFE &
LEGACY Planning Session Now

Estate planning is more than just documents—it’s about protecting your family, your assets, and your legacy. At Marsala Law Firm, we guide you every step of the way with personalized planning to ensure your wishes are honored. Start your estate plan today with a trusted estate planning attorney.

0 of 350
>