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Portia Wood
Portia Wood Founding Partner at Wood Legal Group, LLP

Portia Wood stands out as an accomplished legal professional with a deep-rooted commitment to fostering generational wealth and providing high-quality estate planning services. As a Founding Partner at Wood Legal Group, LLP, this distinguished attorney harnesses over a decade of expertise in estate planning, probate, and elder law. Wood's approach is client-centric, meticulously formulating customized estate plans that cater to the unique requirements of each case. They are dedicated to empowering historically marginalized communities by ensuring that their estate planning and wealth protection needs are met with exceptional precision and understanding.

In addition to their pivotal role at Wood Legal Group, Portia Wood exercises their property law acumen as a Property Acquisitions Analyst and Legal Consultant at 30th Street LLC, actively facilitating wealth accumulation within underserved populations. Wood's strategic negotiations and adept conflict resolution in the property sector accentuate a career marked by successful deal closings and reliable legal consultancy. With an impressive academic background — holding a dual LL.M. from Pepperdine University School of Law and a J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law — Wood is a member of the bar in both California and Maryland.

Portia Wood's contributions extend beyond conventional legal practices, having founded Black Trust Fund Kids, an innovative platform designed to educate young Black individuals on financial literacy. This initiative showcases Wood's broader vision of economic empowerment and community transformation, as it has already educated thousands on the crucial aspects of financial management and wealth building. Their ability to influence extends internationally, where Wood is recognized as a frequent speaker and media contributor on estate planning, diversity, and business development within the legal arena. With over 5,000 LinkedIn connections, Wood stands as a prominent figure in the legal community, translating professional acumen into tangible benefits for the diverse clientele they serve.

More about this expert

Full name
Portia Wood
Location
Pasadena, California, United States
Title
Founding Partner
Industry
Legal Services
LinkedIn Connections
5583
Summary
As a Founding Partner at Wood Legal Group, LLP, I have over 10 years of legal experience in estate planning, probate, and elder law. My mission is to provide quality estate planning and generational wealth protection resources to our community, especially to historically marginalized groups. I craft customized and comprehensive estate plans that address each client's specific goals and needs, and I help them navigate the complex legal processes involved in probate and elder law matters. I am also a Property Acquisitions Analyst and Legal Consultant at 30th Street LLC, where I leverage my property law expertise to promote wealth accumulation within underserved communities. I have successfully negotiated and closed multiple deals, resolved complex disputes, and produced comprehensive research reports. Additionally, I am a frequent international conference speaker and media guest, sharing my insights and perspectives on estate planning, business development, and diversity in the legal profession. I hold a dual LL.M. in International Commercial Law and Arbitration and Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law and a J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. I am licensed to practice law in California and Maryland.
Skills
Legal Analysis Coaching

Education

Pepperdine Law
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
Attended in 2015 - 2016
Field of study: International Commercial Law and Arbitration
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Doctor of Law - JD
Attended in Aug 2008 - May 2011
Field of study: Law

Positions

Wood Legal Group, LLP
Greater Los Angeles, California, United States
Founding Partner
Mar 2018 - Present

Wood Legal Group, LLP is a family owned and operated law firm focused on estate planning, probate, and elder law. Based in Los Angeles County, CA our mission is to provide our community with quality estate planning and generational wealth protection resources.

We recognize that each client's needs and desires are distinct, so every estate plan is carefully crafted to address our clients specific goals. We provide you with the tools you need to make informed decisions to carry out your family's legacy plan.

We are not only a family owned and operated law firm, but also a member of the prestigious American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. As a family firm, we appreciate the importance of preserving generational wealth, and we understand the confidence proper planning provides those who carry the family legacy forward.

Supporting families is not just something we do, it's what we're all about.

The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys is an exclusive group of law firms committed to providing comprehensive support to meet each family's needs.

The Academy was established in 1992 by Armstrong & Fisch, one of the most successful estate planning law firms in the country. The Academy's foundation is promoting excellence in estate planning by providing its exclusive membership with up-to-the-minute research on legislation affecting estate and tax planning, comprehensive educational materials, and practice resources to equip member firms with the tools to provide superior estate planning services. Academy members commit to obtaining a minimum of 36 hours of continuing legal education every year.

We deliver big law firm value with a personal touch!
Black Trust Fund Kids
Remote
Founder
Dec 2020 - Present

Ideated and launched Black Trust Fund Kids, a platform aimed at educating young black individuals about financial literacy, investing, and wealth creation.

Designed an extensive curriculum focusing on financial education, covering topics such as budgeting, investing, credit management, and wealth accumulation.

Created engaging and interactive online and offline workshops, seminars, and classes to break down complex financial topics into digestible, relatable content.

Partnered with schools, community organizations, and non-profits to deliver financial literacy programs, reaching hundreds of students and young adults.

Built strategic partnerships with financial institutions and corporations to secure funding and resources, promoting the mission of Black Trust Fund Kids.

Regularly evaluated and updated the educational content to ensure relevance and effectiveness, incorporating feedback from students and educators.

Utilized technology to increase accessibility of programs, including launching an online learning platform.

Accomplishments:

Successfully educated thousands of individuals on financial literacy, contributing to their long-term financial health and wealth creation.

Received recognition from educational institutions, community leaders, and media for the positive impact of Black Trust Fund Kids.

The role of the founder at Black Trust Fund Kids blends my passion for financial literacy, community service, and education. It provides an opportunity to make a significant impact on the financial futures of young black individuals, empowering them with the tools and knowledge they need to create and sustain wealth.
30th Street LLC.
Baltimore, Md
Property Acquisitions Analyst & Legal Consultant
Oct 2013 - Present

▪ Negotiate the sale, lease, and development of property and complete and review appropriate documents.
▪ Determine and certify the eligibility of prospective tenants, following government regulations.
▪ Investigate complaints, disturbances, and violations and resolve problems following management rules.
▪ Plan, schedule, and coordinate general maintenance, major repairs, and remodeling for residential properties.
▪ Analyze property values, taxes, zoning, and population growth to determine if properties should be acquired.
▪ Produce written summaries of research results. Interpret results of analytical procedures.
Richardson Harman Ober, PC
Pasadena, California
Associate Attorney
Aug 2016 - Mar 2018

▪ General Counsel for Homeowner Associations: advice, compliance, drafting agreements, process development, risk assessment, and supervision of outside counsel in litigation.
▪ Civil Litigation: cross-examination, discovery, drafting, evidence presentation, motions, and subpoenas.
▪ Alternative Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, Mediation, and Negotiation. Successfully resolved 90% of disputes pre-litigation.
AARP Foundation
Pasadena, Ca
Litgation Extern
Jan 2016 - Apr 2016

▪ Research and edit amicus curiae briefs for the California Supreme Court, New York Supreme Court, and the New York Court of Appeals.
▪ Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.