Merrianne E. Dean

Merrianne E. Dean, the CEO and lead attorney at Bellator Law Group, APC, in San Diego, California, brings over a quarter-century of courtroom wisdom. She deftly navigates the intricate worlds of probate and trust disputes, financial elder abuse cases, conservatorships and business conflicts. Her legal repertoire extends across wills, trusts and estate planning tools, as well as probate and trust administration, will contests, and mediation and dispute resolution.Beyond her practice, Ms. Dean stands as a stalwart advocate in the probate court, representing developmentally disabled and elderly individuals under conservatorships. Her peers have recognized her with the AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell, attesting to her esteemed position in the legal community.Ms. Dean is committed to assisting those who find themselves entangled in legal complexities, often arriving at her doorstep in times of distress. She strives to demystify the legal process, empowering her clients with clarity, control, and swift resolution.Academically accomplished, Ms. Dean received her undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Redlands in 1990 and earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 1994. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in law from Western State University College of Law, obtained in 1991.Ms. Dean has been licensed to practice in California since 1994 and has been admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The National Association of Estate Planners and Councils recognizes her as an accredited estate planner. Additionally, she is a board-certified specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law by The California State Bar.An influential presence in the San Diego legal arena, Ms. Dean has consistently contributed to the community throughout her career. She has co-chaired the Probate Section of the San Diego County Bar Association, co-founded and directed the Probate Attorneys of San Diego Bar Association and is an active member of the Lawyers Club and the Tom Homann LGBTQ+ Law Association.*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® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.