Lagerlof, LLP’s Partners Dena Klotz and Vanessa Terzian have been selected as nominees for the LA Times Studios Inspirational Women Forum & Leadership Awards.

Now in its sixth year, the Inspirational Women Forum & Leadership Awards recognizes female business leaders who have achieved remarkable success and made significant contributions to their organizations and industries. Nominees are evaluated by a judging committee based on accomplishments over the past 12 to 24 months, demonstrated leadership throughout their careers, impact on their organizations or industries, and community involvement and board service.

The annual program brings together women leaders from across Los Angeles for an afternoon forum followed by a formal awards program recognizing leaders across 10 award categories.

“Dena and Vanessa bring an extraordinary level of commitment to everything they do,” said Joshua Driskell, Managing Partner of Lagerlof, LLP. “Their leadership strengthens our firm, but it also reaches far beyond it through the relationships they build, the people they support, and the example they set in their respective communities. We are proud to see both of them recognized by LA Times Studios.”

Dena is a Partner and the Managing Attorney of Lagerlof, LLP’s Encino office. Her practice focuses on estate and gift tax planning, estate planning, business succession planning, charitable giving, trusts, wills, powers of attorney, post-death administration, and probate. She works with individuals, families, trust and estate administrators, real property owners, and businesses across a wide range of financial and life circumstances.

Dena also holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and previously practiced as a therapist specializing in resolving conflicts with couples and families. Her leadership and contributions to the profession have been recognized through the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Valley Women’s Leadership Award, and she served as a panelist for “The New Era of Leadership” at the 2025 Valley Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards.

Vanessa is a Partner at Lagerlof, LLP whose practice includes estate and tax planning, probate, and trust administration. She began her legal career as a trust officer with Wells Fargo, working closely with clients, portfolio managers, beneficiaries, and other attorneys before moving into private practice.

Vanessa is also an adjunct professor of Wills and Trusts at Southwestern Law School and a frequent speaker on estate-planning topics, including special needs planning, Medi-Cal planning, advanced tax planning, and asset protection. She is a faculty member at the Institute for Preparing Heirs® and has been involved in community organizations and fundraising efforts throughout her career.

Lagerlof, LLP congratulates Dena and Vanessa on their nominations and this recognition of their leadership and accomplishments.