Zane S. Averbach
- Biography
- Community Service
- Awards
Zane S. Averbach is a Shareholder in our Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate, Trust and Estate, and Tax Planning Practice Groups.
Mr. Averbach has practiced more than 40 years in Encino, representing individuals and families in small, mid-sized and large companies throughout the state. He provides counsel related to entity structure and restructuring; purchases and acquisitions; formation and dissolution; corporate, partnership, and limited liability company agreements; contracts; and real property purchases, sales and management – providing expertise as to tax implications for these matters.
Typically, Mr. Averbach represents clients in matters pertaining to:
- Business Succession Planning
- Contract Negotiations and Compliance
- Commercial Real Estate Leases, Purchase and Sales
- Entity Formation, Organization, Maintenance and Governance, including Corporate, Partnerships, LLCs
- Mergers & Acquisitions
Mr. Averbach also works with clients (including many second, third and fourth generations) to determine how best to plan estates to provide for their own and their families’, current and future needs. He is experienced in integrating philanthropic goals, establishing specialized trusts, and strategizing cost-effective estate structures for future generations. Mr. Averbach is experienced in all aspects of:
- Establishing and Amending Trusts
- Estate and Income Tax Planning
- Funding Trusts
- Life Insurance Planning
- Tax Exemptions and Exclusions
- Trust Administration
- Probate Matters
- Charitable Planning
Before joining Lewitt Hackman, Mr. Averbach was the Senior and Managing Partner at an Encino law firm. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Los Angeles, his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, and a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University. In 1987 Mr. Averbach served as Adjunct Professor at Golden Gate University.
He is admitted to practice in California, U.S. Tax Court, U.S. District Court, and the Central District of California.
Mr. Averbach has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer each year since 2007.
- San Fernando Valley Bar Association:
- Chair, Conference of Delegates to the State Bar, 1983-84
- Trustee, 1982-85
- San Fernando Valley Estate Planning Council President, 1988-89
- Speaker, International Association of Assessing Offices Property Map, LA County Chapter
- Tel Hashomer Hospital/Chaim Sheba Medical Center Board of Directors, 1983-86
- Speaker, National Business Institute
- Jewish Federation of Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley Board of Directors, 1982-85
- Valley Beth Shalom
- Board of Directors, 1987-97; and 2018 - present
- Vice President of Community Outreach, 1994-96
- Board of Governors, 2005-18
- Judge, University of California at Los Angeles Mock Trial Tournament, January 2020
- Music Center Leadership Council (Vice President/Director, 2008-16)
- Hope Connection Director, 2011 – present
- City of Hope Board of Governors, 2017 – present
- Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, American Jewish University Board of Advisors, 2015 – present
- Golden Gate University, Adjunct Professor, 1987
- San Fernando Valley Bar Association:
- AV Rating 5.0 Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating awarded by peers of the bar and judiciary for legal ability and ethics
- Southern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2007 – present