Carly Maganuco

Carly Maganuco is the managing attorney of Gallagher Bolander Smedley, LLP, in San Diego, California, where she has cultivated a distinguished practice in estate planning, trust administration and probate law. Carly is a State Bar of California Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, and brings nearly a decade of competent experience to her clients, advising families, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries on strategies to protect and transition wealth across generations. 

A native of San Diego, Ms. Maganuco earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University, where she was inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society for political science. She continued her legal education at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, receiving her Juris Doctor degree before being admitted to The State Bar of California in 2016. Since that time, she has guided hundreds of individuals and families through every stage of estate planning, from drafting wills and trusts to navigating court-supervised probate proceedings.

Beyond her private practice, Ms. Maganuco is deeply committed to public service. She regularly serves as a court-appointed attorney and guardian ad litem in the Probate Division of the San Diego Superior Court, advocating for vulnerable adults in conservatorship, trust, and probate matters. She is an active member of Probate Attorneys of San Diego (PASD), and the Elder Law and Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate sections of the San Diego County Bar Association. In these roles, she contributes to the development of best practices, mentors newer practitioners, and helps shape local and statewide policy on elder and special needs law.

Ms. Maganuco is also a sought-after speaker and educator. She frequently presents to professional associations, community organizations and lay audiences on topics ranging from public benefits planning and special-needs trusts to advanced trust administration techniques. Her ability to translate complex legal principles into practical guidance has made her a trusted resource for both legal colleagues and the families they serve.