Providing Customized Legal Solutions Since 1979
Jennifer S. Rouse

Contact
Practice Areas
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Conservatorships
- Special Needs Trusts
Biography
Estate planning and probate are unique areas of law because they are quite personal-and my ability to build a rapport with my clients is the fundamental strength of my practice. With over 20 years of experience, I've managed countless cases of every variety, served on the board of the Sacramento County Bar Association, and served as president of Women Lawyers of Sacramento. But when you're creating a plan for what happens when you die, you need an attorney who is more than just knowledgeable and experienced. You want to work with someone who can make you feel comfortable and earn your trust.
I prioritize connecting with my clients so that I can truly understand what matters to them. That helps me guide them as we shape their estate plans to reflect their wishes. Although estate planning can be complex, I pride myself in my ability to explain it clearly so that my clients won't feel overwhelmed. On the contrary, they usually leave my office with a great sense of relief and security, knowing that their dependents will be provided for and their assets will be protected.
I enjoy handling estate planning and establishing and maintaining conservatorships, guardianships, and special needs trusts, because these processes give us the opportunity to set things right before anything can go wrong. Planning for your future needs will not only give you peace of mind now, but will also ensure that matters are handled smoothly when it really counts. And when pre-planning is not possible, I assist with navigating the court process in establishing and maintaining conservatorships and guardianships. I also enjoy probate because I can make sure all parties respect and honor the wishes of the deceased. It is my privilege to protect those who need extra protection and those who have passed on.
Education
- McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento, California
- J.D. - 05/1998
- Honors: Alumni Scholarship
- Honors: Gary V. Shaber Memorial Scholarship
- Honors: James Foundation Scholarship
- Honors: AmJur Award for Jurisprudence
- Pacific Union College, Angwin, California
- B.S. - 06/1995
- Honors: History Faculty Award, 1995
- Honors: Steven J. Seeley III Classic Croquet Tournament Champion, 1993
- Honors: Phi Alpha Theta-History Honor Society
- Honors: Sigma Tau Delta-English Honor Society
- Honors: Academic Administration Employee of the Year, 1992 & 1993
- Major: History & Government
- Minor: Business Administration
Bar Admissions
- California, 1998
Professional Associations
- California Bar Association
- Law Offices of John M. Goralka, 1998 – Present (Associate Attorney)
- California State Bar, Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Section (Member)
- Sacramento County Bar Association, Probate & Estate Planning Section (Member)
- YMCA Youth and Government, 2001 (Volunteer Staff Instructor, 2000)
- Senior Legal Hotline (Volunteer)
- BarBri Representative, 1997 – 1998
- American Bar Association, 1997 – 1998 (Representative)
- Women Caucus, 1997 – 1998 (Vice President)
- Senior Class Executive, Vice President, 1994 – 1995
Current Employment Position
- Associate Attorney
Past Positions
- Community Legal Services, Sacramento, CA, Federal and State Court Certified Law Student, 1996 – 1998
- Community Legal Services, Sacramento, CA, Governing Board Member, 1997 – 1998
- Small Claims Advisors Clinic, Sacramento, CA, Small Claims Advisor, 1996 – 1997
- Kelly Temporary Services, Roseville, CA, 1991-1995, 1998
- Pacific Union College, Angwin, CA, Student Assistant, 1994 – 1995
- Pacific Union College, Angwin, CA, Secretary to the Assistant Academic Dean, 1991 – 1994
- Adventist Health Systems West, Roseville, CA, File Clerk, 1993
Languages
- English
Classes and Seminars
- Divorce and Death, California State Bar
- Probate Start to Finish, NBI
- Fiduciary Accountings, Legal Secretary Institute
- Conservatorships, Various