Mark Poochigian

Mark S. Poochigian

Shareholder

Print Bio

Baker Manock & Jensen

Fig Garden Financial Center
5260 N. Palm Ave., Suite 201
Fresno, CA 93704-2209

Practice Groups

Mark Poochigian practices primarily in the areas of estate planning, trust and probate administration, and resolution of disputes regarding trusts and estates. He is regularly engaged as a consultant and expert witness in trusts and estates disputes.

Background

Mark Poochigian practices in all aspects of estate planning, post-death trust and estate administration, charitable planning, wealth transfer tax (estate, gift and generation-skipping) planning, income tax planning, and family business planning. In addition to having assisted hundreds of clients with establishing basic estate plans, Mark is also experienced in the development of comprehensive estate plans for many high net worth clients, which include the formation and restructuring of limited liability entities, intra-family sales, and buy-sell agreements, and counseling regarding general business matters and real estate transactions.

Mark represents trustees and executors in trust and probate administration, as well as fiduciaries and beneficiaries in trust and estates disputes and litigation. He is regularly called upon to act as an expert witness and consultant in litigated matters throughout California.

Mark is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and presently serves as ACTEC’s California State Chair (2026-present). He is also certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

Mark served as Chair (2019-2020) of the Executive Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section (TEXCOM) of the California Lawyers Association (formerly of the State Bar of California), and was a member of TEXCOM from 2012 until 2023. He also served as Chair of TEXCOM’s Trust and Estate Administration Committee (2015-2018), playing a role in the development of California statutory law affecting trusts and estates. Mark is a former Editor-in-Chief of the California Trusts and Estates Quarterly (2014-2015), and is a frequent speaker on topics of interest to trust and estates attorneys.

Mark has received an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and has been recognized by inclusion in the Northern California Super Lawyers list each year since 2015.

Representative Matters

  • Representation of many families in establishing basic estate plans involving revocable trusts, wills, durable powers of attorney and advance health care directives.
  • Development and implementation of comprehensive estate and business succession plans for many high net-worth families, which include the formation and restructuring of limited liability entities, creation of irrevocable trusts, and intra-family sales.
  • Counseled business owners in estate and tax planning, including gift planning relating to the establishment of irrevocable trusts for appreciating assets.
  • Assisted many executors and trustees in post-death estate and trust administration matters.
  • Representation of several professional fiduciaries and bank trust departments in estate and trust administration matters, including estate tax compliance matters.
  • Service as an expert witness throughout California regarding various trusts and estates matters, including in legal malpractice actions, trust contests, and breach of fiduciary duty claims.

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (2015-present). California State Chair (2026-present).
  • Chair, Executive Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section (TEXCOM) of the California Lawyers Association, formerly of the State Bar of California (2019-2020). TEXCOM member (2012-2023).
  • Member, Trusts and Estates Section of the California Lawyers Association.
  • Member, Fresno County Bar Association.

Certifications and Recognition

  • State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rating.
  • Named to the Northern California Super Lawyers list (2015-present).

Education

  • University of Southern California Gould School of Law, J.D. (2003)
  • University of California, Los Angeles, B.A. (2000)

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of California (2003)