FBT Gibbons continues to expand its Wealth Planning & Family Office practice group and deepen its presence in key wealth markets with the addition of Partner Kristin Yokomoto.
Yokomoto joins FBT Gibbons from an Am Law 100 firm, bringing more than 25 years of experience in estate planning, trust administration, probate, and business succession planning. A Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, she advises high-net-worth individuals, multigenerational families, fiduciaries, and business owners on sophisticated tax, governance, succession, and wealth transfer strategies. Her practice frequently involves helping clients navigate the intersection of family wealth, business ownership, and long-term legacy planning, often in collaboration with the broader team of advisors serving those families.
“Kristin is widely recognized for her technical depth and outstanding reputation in the trusts and estates community, making her an exceptional addition to our team,” said Melanie McCoy, leader of FBT Gibbons’ Wealth Planning & Family Office practice. “She has built a strong track record advising families, fiduciaries, and business owners on complex planning and wealth transfer matters, and she will make an outstanding addition to our team.”
“Many of the families we work with are thinking not just about wealth transfer, but also about family dynamics, succession, governance, and preserving a legacy across generations,” added Jillyn Hess-Verdon, leader of FBT Gibbons’ Family Office team. “Kristin understands those challenges and brings experience that will be incredibly valuable to our clients and the families we serve.”
Yokomoto’s arrival reflects FBT Gibbons’ continued investment in its Wealth Planning & Family Office practice and commitment to serving the evolving needs of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, and business owners. The firm has continued to invest in strategic growth across key wealth markets, including the recent addition of Partner Juan Bendeck and Associate Rayndel “Ray” Valle in Naples, Florida, further enhancing its ability to serve high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, fiduciaries, and closely held businesses nationwide.
“Newport Beach continues to attract entrepreneurs, business owners, and families with increasingly sophisticated planning needs,” said Ruben A. Smith, partner-in-charge of the Newport Beach office. “Kristin has spent years advising exactly those clients, making her a natural fit for our office and the broader Southern California market.”
“FBT Gibbons has built a Wealth Planning & Family Office team with both depth and intention, and that’s a powerful combination,” said Yokomoto. “I see a real opportunity to build on that foundation, continuing to serve high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners while helping grow the practice throughout Southern California and across the firm’s national platform.”
Yokomoto is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and a member of the California Lawyers Association Trusts and Estates Executive Committee. A frequent author and speaker on estate planning, fiduciary matters, and tax developments, she is widely respected within California’s trusts and estates community and has held numerous leadership and service roles throughout her career.
Yokomoto earned her LL.M. in taxation from Chapman University, a second LL.M. in taxation from the University of San Diego, J.D. from the University of Arizona School of Law, M.B.A. from the University of Arizona, and her B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
FBT Gibbons’ Wealth Planning & Family Office team provides comprehensive, tailored guidance to help individuals and families preserve and transfer wealth across generations. The group advises on estate planning, tax optimization, and business succession strategies, aligning legal and financial structures with each client’s long-term goals and values. Working closely with family businesses and trusted advisors, the team delivers practical solutions that support growth, continuity, and effective wealth management, with a strong emphasis on confidentiality and legacy planning.
About FBT Gibbons
FBT Gibbons LLP is a national law firm focused on serving companies operating and investing in the middle market. With nearly 800 lawyers across 26 offices, the firm is positioned to support clients ranging from large multinationals to mid-sized businesses and growth-oriented startups across the United States. FBT Gibbons provides legal counsel enriched with valuable business and market context, particularly in corporate, litigation, and regulatory matters within the energy, finance, life sciences, and manufacturing sectors. The firm is committed to delivering excellent service to its clients, colleagues, and the communities in which it operates. To learn more, visit FBTGibbons.com.