Her Story
About Julie Ann
Julie Ann Sowards, Esq., LL.M - Tax, is the owner and founding attorney of Bay Area Estate Attorneys, P.C., a law firm based in Sunnyvale, California, focused on estate planning, trust law, inheritance law, and tax law. With sixteen years of experience in the legal field, Julie built her practice on a foundation of eight years working alongside her father and brother before establishing her own independent firm in 2020. She earned her Juris Doctor from Lincoln Law School in San Jose, where she received the Cynthia Ware Young Scholarship for demonstrating exceptional character, perseverance, and compassion, and later pursued an advanced Master of Laws in Tax Law and Taxation from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, which now informs her tax-focused approach to estate planning. Before earning her law degree, Julie worked as a paralegal, gaining hands-on experience drafting trusts and estate planning documents that would later shape her legal career.
Julie's practice covers a wide range of estate planning and trust matters, including special needs trusts, charitable remainder trusts, irrevocable asset protection trusts, and complex trust administration, where she frequently serves as Trust Protector and represents trustees throughout the administration process. Her background as a communications major at California State University, Long Beach continues to shape how she connects with clients, allowing her to guide individuals and families through sensitive and often complex planning decisions with clarity and empathy. She is an active member of the California Bar Association, the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce, and the Silicon Valley Women's Group of the Bar, reflecting her ongoing engagement with both the legal community and the broader business community she serves.
Beyond her legal practice, Julie is driven by a deep commitment to family and client service, values she considers central to both her professional and personal life. She attributes much of her success to the example set by her father's legal career and to the work ethic she developed supporting her own family, and she now channels that same dedication into mentoring aspiring lawyers. Julie maintains a part-time schedule that allows her to balance her family priorities with the attentive, client-centered service she provides to those navigating estate planning and trust administration.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Julie Ann
01What do you attribute your success to?
I credit much of my success to watching my father practice law and wanting to follow in his footsteps, admiring his work ethic along the way. Having the opportunity to work alongside my father and brother for eight years before starting my own firm gave me a strong foundation. My drive to support my family, purchase a home, and eventually give back to others has continued to fuel my dedication to this profession.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I want young women to know that it is absolutely possible to succeed in this field. My advice is to find mentors and commit to the dedication the path requires. There are many routes into this profession beyond a traditional path, including private schools or working under a practicing attorney.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family comes first for me, both personally and professionally. I always put my clients and my team first, taking a client-centered approach by putting myself in their shoes and truly understanding their needs.
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