Dave is the founder and managing partner of Gaw Estate Planning in Napa (www.gawestateplanning.com). Dave worked for more than 45 years in Gaw Van Male, a firm he co-founded. In December 2018, he chose to follow his passion and launch a firm focused exclusively on estate planning. This firm includes four other attorneys and two paralegal, all but one whom previously worked with him. Dave has extensive experience crafting customized estate plans for basic and high-end clients and developing new strategies and techniques to address the ever-changing landscape of estate taxes and wealth transfer. Dave has created a comprehensive system for administering trusts which includes standard forms and processes, which are widely used by estate planning lawyers, CPAs and paralegals throughout California.

Dave’s Publications include: CEB California Trust Administration – Chapters: Administering the Single-Person Trust After Settlor’s Death; Subtrust Allocation; and Funding on the Death of the First Spouse; Co-authored: Administering Moderate Married Settlor Trust on the Death of the First Spouse and Further Steps After the Death of the First Spouse; and CEB Action Guides Marital Deduction Subtrust Funding and Administering a Single-Person Trust After Settlor’s Death.

Dave’s Certifications and Memberships include: Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, designated by the State Bar of California; NAELA Certified Elder Law Specialist; One of nine attorney members of the elder law Counsel of Advanced Practitioners (CAP) in the state of California; and Fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).