The personnel of J. Douglass Jennings, Jr. law firm consists of a well educated team of professionals backed by an efficient and hard working support staff. In addition to individual success, our professionals bring a diverse background representing a vital component to the overall success of this law firm. The strength of this law firm is based on an outstanding combination of paralegals, legal assistants, legal secretaries, and administrators complementing the skills of attorneys and certified public accountants.
The vision of a specialized law firm with very broad financial objectives was a direct outgrowth of Douglass Jennings' formative years. Upon graduation from the University of Southern California with his major in accounting, Mr. Jennings was employed by the trust division of Union Bank as a Trust Tax Specialist while he attended the University of San Diego School of Law. Upon receipt of his Juris Doctorate degree, he then joined Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., certified public accountants, and practiced as a tax accountant. Presently, Mr. Jennings is the president and founder of his own professional law corporation in San Diego, California, specializing in taxation, estate planning, corporate law and real estate. Additionally, Mr. Jennings was the founder of the La Jolla Bar Association serving as the original treasurer, and as an original member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Jennings has authored two books. The first book entitled Estate Planning from A to Z has been widely cited as one of the finest and most complete estate planning treatises published to date. The second book, entitled Techniques for Financial Survival is intended to provide the reader with an in-depth analysis of all major investment alternatives while still providing safety in both inflationary and recessionary times. Mr. Jennings takes particular pride in monitoring clients' progress on a regular basis. Since state and federal regulations frequently change, clients are assured of receiving up-to-date advice and counsel.
Mr. Alexander graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. He obtained a juris doctor from St. John’s University School of Law in New York graduating 2002. During law school, Mr. Alexander was recognized on the Dean’s List as focusing on tax law. After obtaining a juris doctor, Mr. Alexander attended the University of San Diego School of Law Masters of Law program and obtained an LLM in taxation in June 2003. For 3 years, Mr. Alexander then worked as a solo practitioner in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, taxation, entity formation, trust litigation, and civil litigation. Mr. Alexander now focuses on taxation, estate planning, entity formation, and pensions. With enthusiasm and attention to detail, Mr. Alexander ensures his client's desires and goals are met.
Mr. Cronin is an Associate Attorney who received his undergraduate degree in Social Welfare from San Diego State University. He holds a Master of Social Work from San Diego State University. After he obtained his juris doctor, Mr. Cronin worked for a number of years in private practice as an attorney with Senior Citizens Legal Services and the Law Offices of Kenneth Stone. Mr. Cronin’s personable and dedicated approach to his clients ensures goals and nuances of their estate planning are met.
Mr. Haswell graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accountancy in 1994. After graduation, Mr. Haswell passed the California Uniform CPA Examination. After becoming a Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Haswell focused on taxation, preparing income tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, trust, and nonprofit entities. Eager to expand his knowledge to better serve clients, Mr. Haswell attended the University of San Diego School of Law, graduating in May, 2003. Mr. Haswell passed the California Bar Examination in July, 2003 and is licensed to practice law in the State of California and 9th Federal District Court. While attending law school, Mr. Haswell also passed the Internal Revenue Service’s Enrolled Agent Examination, which focuses on all areas of taxation as well as IRS administrative rules and procedures. Mr. Haswell has worked in public accountancy for over ten years and brings enthusiasm and a desire to continually learn and grow professionally. Mr. Haswell strives to provide the highest level of service to every client of the Law Office of J. Douglass Jennings. Mr. Haswell’s experience and responsive attitude will help to ensure and maintain client satisfaction.
Mr. Kelley is a Certified Public Accountant with several years of experience as a Tax Accountant, Revenue Analyst, and Tax Manager in the Chicago and San Diego areas. Mr. Kelley graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelors Degree in Finance and Accounting along with a Minor in Economics. Following graduation Mr. Kelley gained experience at an accounting firm where he prepared corporate, partnership, trust, foundation, and individual tax returns. As a Team Manager for another firm, Mr. Kelley also oversaw tax planning, projections, and business management by working one-on-one with clients which is what he enjoys doing currently at the Law Office of J. Douglass Jennings, Jr.
Jose L. Mendoza
Mr. Mendoza is a Certified Public Accountant and the Tax Department Manager for the Law Office of J. Douglass Jennings, Jr. Mr. Mendoza received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from State University of New York, College of Westbury in 1984. Following graduation he worked as a Staff Accountant for Ernst & Young as part of the Privately Owned Emerging Business Group which responsibilities entailed all facets of business reporting, audits, financial statements, and tax return preparation. 1987 Mr. Mendoza moved to San Francisco where he gained experience as a Senior Tax Accountant with the firm of Deloitte & Touche handling large corporate client accounts involving corporate acquisitions, mirrored transactions, corporate spin-offs, preparing financial statements, and working directly with Tax Partners. Mr. Mendoza thereafter became the Tax Accounting Manager for Safeway Stores completing FAS 109 review, accounting for income taxes, and restructuring all corporate accounts for tax purposes along with filing of quarterly and year end Safeway corporate tax returns. In 1993 Mr. Mendoza founded his own full service CPA firm where he handled tax returns and preparation for professionals, small to medium corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietors. He also provided counseling to turn around failing businesses and compliance statements for tax purposes. As the Tax Department Manager Mr. Mendoza oversees a staff of 15 people and reviews complex individual, corporate, and partnership returns.
Francisco A. Murillo
Mr. Murillo is a Certified Public Accountant with over ten years of experience in tax and accounting services. Mr. Murillo holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. Upon graduation in 1998, he worked as a Finance Manager for a company based out of Los Angeles and was responsible for all accounting functions including financial reporting, cash management and royalty statement preparation while working closely with the CFO and investment bank to posture the company for acquisition. Mr. Murillo subsequently has gained experience as a Staff CPA, Auditor, Accountant, and Tax Consultant in which position he prepared individual, corporate, partnership tax returns, reviewed foreign income tax returns of foreign operations, and provided successful representation of income tax and sales and use tax audits.
Suzanne P. Nicholl
Ms. Nicholl received her undergraduate degree from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey where she graduated Cum Laude. Thereafter she obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California. Among her academic achievements, she received the American Jurisprudence Award, California Jurisprudence Award, and Witkin Award in Accounting for Lawyers. She also worked in the domestic violence clinic of the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program and was recognized for her work related thereto with the Pro Bono Award. Ms. Nicholl's career experience includes corporate and business formation, stock and asset sales and acquisitions (including a $40M stock sale transaction), estate planning, and trust administration. Ms. Nicholl finds tremendous satisfaction in her personal interactions and involvement with clients by offering a high level of dedication and follow up.
Mr. Puma received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1980 and his Juris Doctorate degree from Western State University in Fullerton in 1998. He is both a Tax Attorney and Certified Public Accountant. He is admitted to practice law in California, in the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. District Court. Additionally, he has represented clients before the I.R.S., and in bankruptcy, employment and contract litigation. Early in his career he worked as an auditor for Ernst & Young and as a budget analyst for Ocean Pacific. Since 1989 he has specialized in complex corporate, partnership, trust and individual taxation. He is also experienced in the formation of corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and trusts as well as estate, gift and charitable planning. Mr. Puma's income tax planning strategies emphasize tax savings combined with the reduction of common risk factors that expose clients to lawsuits and lead to audits. By preparing clients' business and individual income tax returns, Mr. Puma ensures that income tax savings are realized in a manner consistent with income tax planning.
Mr. Stroberg is a Certified Public Accountant with ten years of experience in public accounting and finance counseling. He graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting in 1999 and thereafter began his career with a large accounting firm in San Diego where he focused on many aspects of Public Accounting, Audits, and Taxation while preparing corporate, partnership and individual tax returns for several industries. Mr. Stroberg then gained valuable experience in the area of accounting, real estate valuation, appraisal review, excel modeling, and cash flow projection analysis as an independent consultant before recently joining the Law Office of J. Douglass Jennings, Jr. He provides expertise in preparing and planning federal, state, corporate, partnership, and individual income tax returns for a diverse range of tax and finance areas including empowerment zone and foreign tax credits.
Mr. Zupfer is a Certified Public Accountant with over twelve years experience in accounting and taxation. He graduated from San Diego State University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a minor in Psychology. He started his career in accounting with the Certified Public Accounting firm Considine & Considine in San Diego. While there, he obtained a wide variety of accounting and tax experience. He specialized in the accounting and tax planning for closely-held businesses, high net-worth individuals and assisted owners with the buying and selling of their businesses. Mr. Zupfer joined the Law Office of J. Douglass Jennings, Jr. in June of 2003 where he brings personal service, innovative thinking and dedication to his clients. He is responsible for all areas of accounting, tax planning, and business strategies for his clients to assist them in achieving their personal and professional goals.
counseling as well as Internal Revenue Service compliance documentation including individual, partnership, corporate, pension, and estate tax returns. Our firm is recognized as one of the leading Estate Planning law firms in the United States. 