Terrence M. Franklin

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Terrence M. Franklin brings more than three decades of experience to high-stakes trust, estate and probate litigation throughout California, including trials, disputes and appeals. A formidable advocate in and out of the courtroom, he has argued and won significant cases, including successful published appeals and the landmark Moeller case brought before the California Supreme Court (16 Cal. 4th 1124). Clients, including high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations, educational institutions, large and small businesses, and corporate and individual fiduciaries, turn to Mr. Franklin for his skill in navigating complex legal issues and guidance in sensitive matters.

In Chambers and Partners, the world’s leading guide to lawyers and law firms, Mr. Franklin’s clients and peers commented on his practice: “He is the best litigator in town and has terrific intelligence. He’s both calm and passionate, and can be a zealous advocate without making it personal. He’s very well regarded in the probate courts.”

An active leader in the trusts and estates community, Mr. Franklin has held numerous influential roles that have shaped trusts and estates law, advanced diversity and inclusion, and expanded engagement among minority lawyers. As a longtime Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and among his many positions, Mr. Franklin served as Chair of the organization’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Committee where he developed strategies to make the trusts and estates practice more attractive to minority law students and young attorneys.

Mr. Franklin also helped develop, and was then tapped to host, ACTEC’s video series “Planning for a Diverse and Equitable Future,” which examines the role of trusts and estates by addressing issues of diversity and inclusion in America. The ongoing series was recognized in 2022 with two Awards of Distinction by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, the leading international creative awards program honoring creative excellence for marketing and communications professionals.  

Most recently, Mr. Franklin facilitated the establishment of the UCLA School of Law Postgraduate Fellowship for Racial Equity in Trust & Estate Law, hosted by Bet Tzedek Legal Services. Along with colleagues, he obtained a substantial monetary commitment from Los Angeles firms, allowing UCLA and Bet Tzedek to launch the Fellowship in 2023.

Throughout the years, Mr. Franklin has played an integral role in the American Bar Association Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, including former positions as Council Member; Chair of Attorneys Partnering with Nonlawyers Committee; Chair of the Ethics and Malpractice Committee; Vice Chair of the Practice Group Management; Member of the National Conference of Lawyers and Corporate Fiduciaries; Supervisory Council Member of the Litigation, Ethics and Malpractice Group; and Member of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

A prolific speaker, Mr. Franklin is frequently called upon to present to local, state and national organizations, including Bet Tzedek Rebecca Nichols Symposium, Delaware Trust Conference, Fiduciary Trust International’s Young Lawyers Program, Harvard Black Alumni Global Changemakers Conference, Hawaii Tax Institute, Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, New Jersey State Bar Elder and Disability Law Symposium, Regions Bank Legal Department and the USC Gould School of Law Trust & Estate Conference, where he has served as Program Chair since 2019.

Mr. Franklin has also given his renowned talk “Bending the Arc of History Towards Justice” to dozens of groups nationwide, including at the third annual TEDxDavenport. He shares his powerful story of uncovering a family will that liberated his ancestors from slavery in 1846, and explores how we all have a role in shaping history.

Mr. Franklin’s distinguished litigation career and leadership in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion have earned him widespread recognition. His accolades and honors include: Lifetime Achievement Award by Chambers and Partners Diversity & Inclusion in 2021; Band 1 – Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Private Wealth Disputes; Most Influential Minority Lawyers and Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers, Los Angeles Business Journal; LA Times Business of Law: Visionaries; Top 100, The National Black Lawyers; Southern California Super Lawyers every year since 2005 and Top 100 list; and Best Lawyers since 2011. Mr. Franklin was also named Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in 2016 for Trusts & Estates Litigation – Los Angeles, awarded to individual attorneys with the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Only one attorney is recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year” for each specialty and location.

Admitted to practice in California, Mr. Franklin is a graduate of Harvard Law School and obtained his Bachelors of Science from Northwestern University. Prior to Sacks, Glazier, Franklin, Lodise, McMurtrey & Scheerer, LLP, he practiced with the Los Angeles office of Morrison & Foerster and as a partner at Ross, Sacks & Glazier, LLP.