John M. Goralka

Practice areas

Tax: Business, Estate Planning & Probate, Business/Corporate, Elder Law, Real Estate: Consumer

Focus areas

Business Formation and Planning, Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Living Wills, Probate & Estate Administration, Tax Law, Trusts, Wills

John M. Goralka, the visionary founder and lead attorney at The Goralka Law Firm, is dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs, real estate proprietors, and accomplished families in realizing their aspirations by offering robust asset protection, strategic reduction of income and estate taxes, and effective resolution of intricate transitions to safeguard and enhance their legacies.

With over three decades of experience, John commits himself to guiding individuals and families through the intricate realms of business income tax and estate planning. His profound expertise spans across diverse domains including business tax strategy, tax litigation, safeguarding assets, corporate law, establishment of shareholder agreements, business succession planning, property transactions, estate planning, trusts, and probate administration.

John is a licensed legal practitioner in the State of California and holds a rare dual certification from the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in Taxation and Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from California State University, Sacramento, and pursued further education at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, obtaining his Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.). An active participant in legal organizations, John engages with the State Bar of California, Sacramento County Bar Association, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Sacramento Estate Planning Council.

John’s exceptional ethical standards and a remarkable track record have garnered him the prestigious AV Preeminent* peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell, along with consistent recognition as a Super Lawyer in estate planning, probate, tax, and business law since 2016. His dedication has also earned him the Distinguished Client Service Award from Martindale-Hubbell annually since 2014. Acknowledged in Sacramento Magazine’s “Top Lawyer” list for business and corporate law from 2016 to 2022, John’s reputation extends to national rankings, including being recognized by US News and World Reports for Taxation and Estate Planning and by Premier Tax Planners as a top taxation attorney in the United States. Starting in 2020, Best Lawyers has consistently recognized John’s prowess in tax law and trusts and estates, culminating in his Tier 1 status in tax law in 2022.

Throughout his career, John has represented a diverse clientele facing a range of complexities and challenges. His personalized care and commitment have fostered lasting relationships, with numerous families entrusting him for over two decades. John’s client representation spans generations, encompassing grandparents, parents, and grandchildren within the same family. He continues to manage their estates and businesses, providing unwavering support to future generations.

As a seasoned practitioner in estate planning, asset protection, tax, and business law, John’s core objective is to effect transformative change for his clients. By “transformative,” he signifies substantial, lasting enhancements that extend across multiple generations. At his firm, John Goralka employs unconventional insights and innovative solutions to navigate the multifaceted challenges, risks, and prospects encountered by his valued clients.

• AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished, and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® facilitates a peer review rating process, with ratings reflecting the anonymous opinions of legal professionals and the judiciary. Ratings encompass both legal ability and general ethical standards.