Patrick Phancao brings a rare, global perspective to the practice of Estate Planning, Asset Protection, and Elder Law. Having been raised across Europe, Asia, and Africa, his international upbringing shaped both his worldview and his approach to law—one that integrates cross-border awareness with sophisticated financial strategy.
Mr. Phancao began his legal career abroad, serving as Assistant Legal Counsel to a French banking institution. This early immersion in the financial sector provided him with a deep understanding of corporate governance, lending structures, and complex financial systems. He later expanded this experience as Legal Counsel for a prominent pharmaceutical company in Los Angeles, further refining his ability to navigate high-level regulatory and transactional matters.
He is also known for his involvement in high-stakes litigation and complex financial cases. His experience includes work within California’s White Collar Crime Division, where he participated in matters resulting in the highest bond set in state history, as well as involvement in one of the largest individual tax cases of 2003. In 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdown, he was part of a federal bank fraud trial in the Southern District of New York—one of the only trials to proceed at that time, and his final litigation engagement before transitioning his focus.
While litigation proved both challenging and rewarding, Mr. Phancao ultimately chose to concentrate his practice in an area where legal, financial, and tax strategy intersect most effectively: estate planning. Over the years, he has advised a diverse client base ranging from business owners to professional athletes and public figures, developing both domestic and offshore asset protection structures tailored to preserve wealth and mitigate exposure.
Today, Mr. Phancao focuses his practice on representing affluent individuals, families, and business owners throughout California and Florida, helping them safeguard their assets and plan for generational continuity.
In response to the growing needs of the Baby Boomer generation, he partnered with Mrs. Shaffer to form the Asset Protection & Elder Law Center, where they provide comprehensive, forward-looking planning in the following areas:
- Asset Protection & Business Succession
- Medi-Cal Eligibility & Long-Term Care Planning
- Advanced & Complex Estate Planning
Admissions: California, Florida, D.C.
Key Achievements: Super Lawyers rated, set record bond in CA for the White Collar Crime Division
