In 2007, I embarked on my legal career in Philadelphia as a business litigator. While I had some rewarding experiences, I soon realized that I wanted to use my legal skills to uplift people rather than engage in adversarial battles. The constant back-and-forth, the wasted time, and the inefficiency of it all bothered me. Winning a case at the cost of excessive attorney fees felt counterproductive.
So, when I relocated to beautiful Berkeley, CA, I made a conscious decision to change my practice. My family played a pivotal role in shaping this new path. As my wife and I settled in the Bay Area, my father’s health declined due to a series of strokes. Witnessing the complexities of end-of-life decisions firsthand, I understood the immense value of trustworthy guidance during such critical moments.
Driven by this insight, I focused my studies on tax law, with a special emphasis on estate planning. I earned an LLM (master’s degree in tax law) from Golden Gate University with honors. My JD from Washington University in St. Louis and my B.A. in Classical Studies from the University of Pennsylvania laid the foundation for my legal journey.
Having also clerked for the Tax Division of the US Department of Justice in San Francisco, I am proud to offer my services from the Law Office of Matthew Bruns. My mission is clear: to help you find safety, security, and peace of mind when navigating difficult decisions.