Professional Background
M. Cecilia Amo is the founder of AMO LAW Legacy Planning, where she focuses exclusively on estate planning, asset protection, and kids protection planning. She is committed to helping California families protect what matters most and ensure their wishes are honored through clear, comprehensive legal planning.
Ms. Amo earned her Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law in 2006, attending evening classes while working full-time as a paralegal. She passed the California Bar Exam on her first attempt and is admitted to practice in all California state courts and the U.S. District Courts in California. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Whittier College and earned her paralegal certification from Cerritos College.
Ms. Amo began her legal career at The Cochran Firm Los Angeles, where she was hired as an associate after completing a summer clerkship under Shawn Holley, a nationally recognized criminal defense attorney known for her work on the O.J. Simpson defense team. She spent several years representing plaintiffs in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
In 2010, she returned to Orange County and joined The Reeves Law Group, where she worked under respected trial attorneys Derek Pakiz and Marc Thompson. While at the firm, she continued to handle high-value litigation and was part of the team that secured multi-million dollar settlements. In a full-circle moment, the final case she evaluated at The Cochran Firm—declined due to anticipated challenges with liability—became the first case she worked on at The Reeves Law Group, ultimately resulting in a settlement exceeding $2 million.
In 2020, Ms. Amo shifted her focus to estate planning after training with nationally recognized attorney Ali Katz, founder of the Personal Family Lawyer® network. She was drawn to the relationship-based, client-centered model that prioritizes clarity, counseling, and long-term peace of mind for families.
Known for her calm, approachable demeanor and ability to make legal concepts understandable, Ms. Amo provides a welcoming environment for clients to explore their options without pressure or judgment. Her practice is built on the belief that legacy is more than documents—it’s about protecting your people, honoring your values, and creating peace of mind.
Outside of her legal work, Ms. Amo has served on the board of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation and founded a national nonprofit focused on mental health outreach within anime fan communities. She has been featured on Filipino-American media programs and has spoken at conferences on community engagement and faith-based outreach.