Carl H. “Chip” Allen, J.D. Attorney and Counselor at Law

Chip Allen is an estate planning, estate administration, and small business planning attorney in private practice in Sonoma, Ca.  Being focused on these complementary aspects of the law gives him the advantage of in-depth knowledge in the complexities and strategies of each.

Chip graduated from Hastings College of the Law, University of California, with a Juris Doctor Degree in 1973.  He is licensed to practice law in California and is an active member of the State Bar of California, registered as Carl H. Allen, Jr.  He is a member of the Trust and Estate Section of the American Bar Association and a member of Wealth Counsel, a national network of estate and business planning attorneys.  Practicing law for over thirty years, Chip spent much of his legal career litigating business, real estate, construction, and insurance disputes in law firms in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Estate planning was always a preferred part of Chip’s practice.  Ultimately he realized his true calling in the law was centered on counseling people and helping them to find solutions for their lives.  As part of his move to Sonoma in 2000, Chip decided it was time to focus on these aspects of the law that were most meaningful to him.  He opened a private practice centered on estate planning for individuals and families, and business planning for small businesses. 

Chip is involved in the Sonoma community.  He is an Estate Planning Advisor for the Sonoma Valley Fund, part of the Sonoma Community Foundation. He is a City Member of the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission.  He is a board member of the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation. He is a board member of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce, as well as a graduate of Leadership Sonoma Valley, sponsored by the Chamber.  He is a member of the Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley, a member of the Sonoma Valley Chapter of BNI (Business Networking International), and a volunteer four time Puppy Raiser for Canine Companions for Independence.

Chip was born and raised in San Francisco.  He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1965, followed by a five year tour of duty on Polaris submarines.   He is married to Jeanne Allen, who assists him in the law practice.  They have a yellow Labrador Retriever, Gulliver, who they puppy-raised for Canine Companions for Independence, and came back to them as a pet when she was released from CCI.

Chip prides himself in working with clients in a counseling centered collaborative way to help people find solutions for themselves, their families, and their business.