Jenny D. Shin

Jenny dedicates her time to helping families, small business owners and working or retired professionals with a wide variety of trust and estate matters and assisting employers with their critical California employment law concerns. "I enjoy getting to know my clients to provide practical counsel that enhances their daily lives, business operations and personal legacy planning. My curiosity drives me to learn about various organizations, whether workplaces or families, allowing me to offer tailored advice."

Jenny focuses on helping clients achieve optimal outcomes, whether crafting a comprehensive legacy plan or creating an exceptional workplace. She began her legal career in San Francisco at a boutique firm specializing in employer representation. “During law school, I clerked for USF’s Office of Legal Affairs, collaborating closely with outside counsel on a broad range of issues. I was drawn to employment law for its practical impact. Personnel decisions significantly affect both daily business operations and employees’ lives, making it crucial to foster the best possible employment relationships. My goal is to help clients navigate these decisions to benefit their organizations and their people.”

Over her 24-year career representing California employers, Jenny has gained extensive experience counseling business organizations on all aspects of the employment relationship. Her expertise includes preventative and proactive management advice, separation processes, independent investigations, and wage and hour matters. Jenny has also successfully helped California business owners defend against employment EEO and wage and hour claims at the state and federal levels and before governmental agencies. “I began my legal career as an employment lawyer in San Francisco during the tech boom, navigating uncharted workplace territories. This background drives my focus on what my clients can achieve rather than on limitations, ensuring innovative and practical solutions for their business needs.”

After starting her own family, Jenny expanded her practice to include estate planning, where she quickly discovered a passion for helping families prevent future turmoil through effective planning. “My favorite classes in law school were Wills & Trusts, Community Property, and Taxation. It’s no wonder I love estate work because it’s the perfect intersection of these areas, and I get to provide clients confidence and peace of mind. My objective is always to lighten the burden for our clients, and I get to experience that regularly with estate work. It’s very rewarding.”

Twenty years and over 300 estate plans later, Jenny has also represented clients in probate administration and trust litigation and assisted trustees with many unfunded trusts. This experience has given her a keen understanding of the importance of intentional planning and the severe consequences of failed estate plans. “I’ve seen the fall-out when a good estate plan is not in place and it was devastating, not just financially but for the people, including the children, who were left behind. We work diligently to ensure the customized plans we create achieve our clients' goals, allowing them and their loved ones to focus on living."

Jenny’s reputation as a responsive, thorough, and thoughtful advisor has resulted in a loyal client base primarily derived from her professional network and word-of-mouth referrals. "When I represent a client, I take on their burden as seriously as if it were my own. I carefully review the issues, identify potential pain points, explore available options, and present practical solutions that align with the client’s goals. This approach defines both my personality and the law firm I am building."

As a wife and mother to three daughters, Jenny strives to be an example of dedication, strong work ethic, integrity, and responsible citizenship. These values inform everything she does, and they inspired her to start JDS Law.

When not assisting clients, Jenny enjoys spending time with her family. She also has a fondness for hockey (go Sharks!), Formula 1 motor racing, knitting & crochet, reading historical non-fiction, listening to podcasts on every topic under the sun, and serving as a youth leader at church and on the Board of Directors for the Temecula Valley Symphony.

What is a Certified Specialist?

A certified specialist is more than just an attorney who practices in a particular area of law. A California attorney who is certified by the State Bar as an Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law specialist has:

• Taken and passed a written examination in the specialized field of Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law;
• Demonstrated a high level of experience in their specialized field of law;
• Fulfilled enhanced and ongoing education requirements to maintain their specialist status; and
• Been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work.

Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law is a very complicated system, and the outcome of your legal matter can be seriously affected by who represents you. Jenny Shin is a Certified Specialist in California Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California.