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After starting her career in one of the world’s most prestigious civil rights firms, Cecilia Amo spent years fighting for families who suffered catastrophic injuries and ensuring that insurance companies gave fair and just compensation for wrongdoing. She’s seen families left vulnerable and helpless when a loved one suddenly becomes incapacitated or lost to a tragic accident because they were stuck in the court process.
Losses don’t just happen due to the wrongdoing of others. They can happen at any time. However, with thoughtful planning, families can be protected from the stress of court.
We cherish the opportunity to learn your story, hear what matters to you, and help you to discover what’s needed to keep your loved ones out of court and out of conflict.
With a background in high-stakes litigation and a calling to serve, she blends sharp legal insight with a calm, grounded presence. Cecilia helps her clients move past procrastination, overwhelm, and fear—not by applying pressure, but by offering clarity, grace, and thoughtful guidance. At AMO LAW Legacy Planning, clients don’t just feel legally protected—they feel seen, heard, and supported as they make some of life’s most meaningful decisions.
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.
Clients often come to Cecilia expecting stress, confusion, or judgment. Instead, they find calm, compassion, and clarity. Working with Cecilia feels like finally sitting down with someone who gets it—who takes the time to listen, explain, and guide without pressure. Clients feel safe with her. Not just legally protected, but truly seen.
She helps them move through their procrastination and fear, not by pushing them—but by creating space for confidence, trust, and peace of mind. She’s the kind of attorney who changes what people think “lawyer” means.