Managing Shared Assets
Douglas K. Freeman, J.D., LL.M.
Senior Managing Director, First Foundation Advisors
Director, First Foundation Inc.
Director, First Foundation Bank
Mr. Freeman provides strategic planning and organizational management advice for business, nonprofit, foundation, and family clients. He brings to First Foundation clients the experience gained as a consultant to nearly 300 family foundations, support organizations and public charities throughout the United States.
Mr. Freeman is a noted retired tax attorney and founder of the Los Angeles based law firm, Freeman, Freeman & Smiley, LLP. From 2005 through 2008, he was recognized by Worth magazine as among the 100 top attorneys in the United States. In 1999, he was featured by Bloomberg Financial as one of the nation's leading estate planning attorneys. He is the founder of National Philanthropy Day, proclaimed by Congress and celebrated throughout the United States since 1986.
Mr. Freeman serves as a director of family foundations, independent foundations, and public charities. He is the past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of California, Irvine Foundation and chairman of its $1 billion campaign. He is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Orange County's Pacific Symphony and a member of the Board of Advisors of the University of Southern California Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy.
Mr. Freeman is the author of three books and over 30 articles and treatises on philanthropy and wealth planning. His new book, published in 2009, co-authored with Dr. Lee Hausner, Ph.D., is entitled "The Legacy Family... The Definitive Guide to Creating a Successful Multigenerational Family". He is the co-author with Dr. Hausner of a leading treatise for family foundations, entitled "A Founder's Guide to the Family Foundation". He speaks throughout the country on behalf of professional associations, such as the Council on Foundations, the Association of Small Foundations, and the American Bar Association.
Mr. Freeman is a graduate of Stanford University (B.A. with Distinction, 1967), University of California at Los Angeles (J.D., 1970), and the University of San Diego (LL.M. in Taxation, 1984). Until retirement, Mr. Freeman was designated a Certified Specialist in Taxation under the State Bar of California.
