About Helen
Helen S. Cheng: Nonprofit / Charities Law and Trusts & Estates Attorney in San Diego, California, United States
As a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in both nonprofit/charities law and trusts and estates, Helen S. Cheng brings a unique blend of expertise to her clients at Withers Bergman LLP.
Practice Areas
- Nonprofit / Charities Law
- Trusts & Estates
Helen's journey began at Stanford University, where she earned her Juris Doctor. After graduating from Stanford, Helen moved to California and practiced international corporate tax law in China before relocating to San Diego.
Affiliations
- Chair of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners San Diego Branch (STEP SD)
- Board Member at the Balboa Art Conservation Center
- General Counsel for the International Community Foundation
Education & Credentials:
- Universities:
- Stanford University, Stanford Law School
- University of Kansas (B.A.)
- Bar Admissions:
- California State Bar
- Awards and Recognitions:
- Recognized: Nonprofit / Charities Law, Recognized: Trusts & Estates
- Firms:
- Withers Bergman LLP
- Affiliations:
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP USA)
- Languages:
- English
- Recognized Since: Recognized in Ones to Watch since 2022
Professional Philosophy:
Helen believes deeply in the importance of providing compassionate, proactive legal counsel. She is committed to fostering innovative and sustainable solutions for her clients in the nonprofit/charities law and trusts and estates sectors.
Key Achievements
- In China, she worked with multinational corporations like Oracle, Intel, and Seagate on sophisticated international tax planning techniques.
- Helen was instrumental in creating the San Diego Zoo's licensing and technology transfer program and served as the head of the San Diego Zoo Global Centre for Bioinspiration, collaborating with companies such as Procter & Gamble, WD-40, Nike, and Qualcomm on bioinspired technologies.
- She currently serves as a board member at the Balboa Art Conservation Center, where she focuses on art conservation projects.
Helen's commitment to excellence is further evidenced by her active role in STEP SD, contributing significantly to the organization’s mission and community engagement. As General Counsel for the International Community Foundation, Helen also supports their philanthropic efforts with innovative legal strategies.
