Jenna  Ichikawa - Shareholder, Seattle

Jenna Ichikawa

Shareholder | Seattle


Jenna B. Ichikawa has been practicing law at Stokes Lawrence for eleven years and is the practice group head of the Seattle Estate Planning and Administration group. Jenna is a Seattle native who enjoys working with individuals and families to design sophisticated estate plans tailored to each client’s personal needs and wishes. Her knowledge of state and federal transfer tax laws allows her to educate clients about planning options and design solutions to complex planning matters.

Jenna advises individuals, multi-generational families, family-owned businesses, professional fiduciaries, clients with international planning needs and charitable organizations. Whether drafting new wills or trusts for clients, modifying existing trusts or walking a client through the probate process after the loss of a loved one, Jenna prides herself on listening deeply to her clients’ needs. She has a particular interest in assisting clients with the estate administration process after a death and assisting clients with international estate planning needs.

Jenna attended the University of Washington School of Law after earning a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Evans School at the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Puget Sound.

 

Admissions

  • Washington, 2012

Education

  • University of Washington School of Law, J.D. (2012)
  • University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs, M.P.A. (2003)
  • University of Puget Sound, B.A., History (1996)

Recognition & Honors

  • Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Law – Washington (2024)
  • Washington Super Lawyers (2023 - 2024)
  • The Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates (2024 - 2025)
  • Rising Star, Washington Super Lawyers (2017 - 2022)

Publications & Presentations

  • "Estate Planning with Retirement Assets," presenter, King County Bar Association's Estate Planning for the 99% CLE (March 2024)
  • “Estate Planning for Retirement Assets under the SECURE Act,” presenter, Washington Women in Tax (May 2021)
  • "The 'SECURE' Act Modifies Distribution Rules for Retirement Accounts After Death," author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (January 2020)
  • "Estate Planning for Washington and Federal Estate Taxation,” presenter, WSCPA Pacific Tax Institute (October 2019)
  • "Estate Planning With Retirement Assets," presenter, King County Bar Association CLE (April 2019) 
  • "What Washington Snowbirds Should Know About Taxes," co-author with Alison Warden, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (March 2019)
  • "Estate Planning With Retirement Assets," presenter, Personal Estate Planning for the 99%, King County Bar Association CLE (April 2018)
  • "Duties and Liabilities of Nonprofit Board Members," presenter, Parent Advisory Council at Seattle Central College (October 2017)
  • "Washington's New Trust Decanting Law Expands Trustee's Power to Modify Irrevocable Trusts," author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (September 2017)
  • "Estate Planning for Retirement Assets," speaker, Personal Estate Planning for the 99%, presented by the King County Bar Association (April 2017)
  • "Identifying Community Property Assets During Probate Administration," speaker, King County Bar Association 12th Annual Probate Administration CLE (October 2016)
  • "Estate Planning and Probate in Washington State" speaker, Community Seminar for Seattle Financial Services Seminar (June 2016)
  • "Community Property Considerations in Estate Planning," speaker, Personal Estate Planning for the 99%, presented by the King County Bar Association (April 2016)
  • "Managing Nonprobate Assets: Planning for Your Entire Estate," author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (March 2016)
  • "Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts and More!" speaker, Community Seminar at the Seattle Buddhist Temple (March 2016)
  • "Tips for Identifying Community Property Assets," speaker, King County Bar Association Probate Administration CLE (November 2015)
  • "Could Your Estate Benefit From an 'Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust'?" author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (October 2015)
  • "Gift Tax Exclusion for Payment of Qualifying Medical and Tuition Expenses," author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (July 2015)
  • "One Final Spring Cleaning Task: A Gift to Your Future Agent or Personal Representative," author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (May 2015)
  • "Community Property Considerations in Estate Planning," speaker, Personal Estate Planning for the 99%, presented by the King County Bar Association (April 2015)
  • "The ABLE Act of 2014: A New Way to Save for Beneficiaries With Special Needs," author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (April 2015)
  • "Joint Tenancy Bank Accounts as Part of Estate Planning," author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (January 2015)
  • "Identifying and Administering Nonprobate Assets," speaker, King County Bar Association 10th Annual Probate Administration CLE (November 2014)
  • "New Washington Law Allows for Transfer of Real Property at Death Without Probate," author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (October 2014)
  • "Filing an Estate in Probate Court," speaker, The Probate Process From Start to Finish, National Business Institute CLE (July 2014)
  • "Conference on Philanthropic and Legacy Planning for Professional Advisors," Planning Committee Member, Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation (June 2014)
  • "Planning Considerations for Nonprobate Assets," speaker, Estate Planning for the 99%, King County Bar Association (April 2014)
  • "Using a Donor Advised Fund for Your Charitable Giving," author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs (March 2014)
  • "Washington Transfer Tax - A Different Set of Rules," author, blog post, Stokes Law Briefs(February 2014)
  • "Identifying and Administering Nonprobate Assets," speaker, 9th Annual Probate Administration, sponsored by the King County Bar Association (November 2013)
  • "Opening the Probate," speaker, Probate & Trust Administration Fundamentals, sponsored by the Washington State Bar Association (August 2013)
  • "Planning Considerations for Nonprobate Assets," speaker, Personal Estate Planning for the 99%, sponsored by the King County Bar Association (May 2013)
  • "An Introduction to Fiduciary Duties," speaker with Sean Russel, sponsored by the Yakima County Bar Association (April 2013)

Professional & Community Activities

  • Editorial Board Member, WSBA Real Property Probate & Trust Newsletter (2023 – present)
  • Board Member, Washington Women in Tax (2022-present)
  • Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, Washington State Bar Association
  • Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, King County Bar Association
  • Member, Northwest Family Business Advisors
  • Member, Washington Women Lawyers
  • Member, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Seattle/Pacific Northwest Branch (past)
  • Volunteer, First Responders Will Clinic (past)
  • Member, Board of Directors, Northwest Hope & Healing (past)
  • Volunteer, King County Bar Association Southwest Neighborhood Legal Clinic (past)
  • Tax Counselor, AARP Tax Aide Program (past)

Background & Interests

Prior to law school, Jenna worked for a nonprofit organization preserving oral histories of Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII. She also worked as a consultant, evaluating human service programs across Washington state. During law school Jenna served as a Law Clerk to Hon. Laura C. Inveen, King County Superior Court, and interned at Reed Longyear Malnati & Ahrens PLLC in Seattle. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends and staying active outdoors.