Jon Vaught

Jon R. Vaught

Adjunct Professor

Part-Time Faculty
(510) 430-1518

Biography

Jon Vaught is a partner in the firm of Vaught & Boutris, LLP in Oakland, California. His practice is focused on counseling and litigation in the areas of tax, estate planning, probate and trust administration and asset protection. Mr. Vaught received a B.A. degree with honors from the University of California, Berkeley in 1981, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis, School of Law in 1984 and an L.L.M. degree in tax law from Golden Gate University, School of Law in 1994. Mr. Vaught is certified as a specialist in both Taxation Law and Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He is an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco Law School's L.L.M. Tax Program where he currently teaches estate planning and estate and gift taxation. Mr. Vaught is a member of the Board of Directors of Legal Assistance for Seniors.

Expertise

  • Estate Taxation
  • Trust and Probate Law

Appointments

  • Judge Pro Tem, Probate Department, Alameda County Superior Court, 2016 - present
  • Special Master
  • Estate Administrator
  • Special Administrator
  • Trustee
  • Guardian at Litem

Education

  • LLM, Golden Gate University
  • JD, University of California, Davis
  • BA, University of California, Berkeley

Prior Experience

  • Adjunct Professor, Golden Gate University, School of Law, LLM Taxation Program
  • Adjunct Professor, Golden Gate University, School of Law, LLM Estate Planning Program
  • Adjunct Professor, Golden Gate University, Bruce F. Braden School of Taxation and Accounting

Awards & Distinctions

  • Martindale Hubbell Very High Rating
  • Northern California Super Lawyer, 2004 - 2024
  • Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024
  • Outstanding Instructor, Golden Gate University, LL.M. Tax Program, 2005, 2021, 2022, 2023

Selected Publications

  • Editor, Estate Planning Reporter, Continuing Education of the Bar, 2019 - present

  • Author, Chapter 34, “Estate Tax Procedure,” California Decedent Estate Practice, Continuing Education of the Bar,  2010 - present

  • Editor, California Decedent Estate Practice, Continuing Education of the Bar, 2010 - present

  • Editor and author, California Probate Workflow Manual Revised, Continuing Education of the Bar, 2014 - present