Monica Goel Hornberger honored for leadership in law and community

Monica Goel Hornberger, managing partner of TLD Law, has been named Outstanding Woman in Business by the Women’s Business Council of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. (Courtesy photo)

DOWNEY – Monica Goel Hornberger has spent more than two decades helping families navigate some of life’s most difficult and deeply personal moments.

Whether guiding clients through the loss of a loved one, resolving contentious trust disputes or helping families prepare for the future, the longtime attorney has built a reputation for combining technical legal expertise with compassion and steady leadership.

Now, that work is being recognized on a regional stage.

Hornberger, managing partner of TLD Law, has been named Outstanding Woman in Business by the Women’s Business Council of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce as part of its 2026 Women of Excellence and Small Business Grant Dinner.

The annual event celebrates women across business, education and community leadership for their professional accomplishments, leadership and service. According to organizers, honorees are selected for their “vision, courage, compassion, proven success, generosity and involvement in our community.”

For Hornberger, the recognition represents another milestone in a career defined not only by professional success, but by long-standing ties to Downey and a firm whose roots are deeply woven into the city’s history.

Founded more than 60 years ago in Downey by attorney Harold T. Tredway, TLD Law began as a small Southeast Los Angeles County practice serving local families and businesses. Over the decades, the firm expanded into Irvine, Long Beach and Beverly Hills, growing into one of Southern California’s best-known full-service law firms while maintaining its historic connection to Downey.

Today, Hornberger serves as the firm’s managing partner and one of its leading specialists in estate planning, trust administration, probate law and conservatorships.

With more than 23 years of legal experience, Hornberger is certified as a legal specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the California Board of Legal Specialization. Her practice focuses on estate planning, probate administration, trust litigation, elder law and complex fiduciary matters.

Colleagues say one of her defining strengths is her ability to manage emotionally charged and legally complicated situations with clarity and empathy.

Her legal credentials are extensive. Hornberger has earned an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, received a “superb” rating from AVVO and has repeatedly been named among Southern California Super Lawyers in trusts and estates. She was also recognized by The Daily Journal as one of California’s Top Estate and Wealth Management Lawyers in 2025.

But those who know Hornberger say her impact extends well beyond courtrooms and conference rooms.

A longtime Downey community volunteer and civic participant, Hornberger previously served as president of Soroptimist International of Downey and was honored as Volunteer of the Year by the City of Downey in 2007.

She has also dedicated significant time to education and mentorship throughout her career.

Hornberger previously served as an adjunct professor in the paralegal programs at Cerritos College and UC Irvine, where she taught estate planning and probate-related coursework. She is also a published author and frequent lecturer on trust administration, probate proceedings, fiduciary liability and legal ethics.

In addition to her private practice work, Hornberger has served on the Probate Volunteer Panel for Los Angeles Superior Court, helping advise families facing conservatorship and incapacity-related issues.

Friends and colleagues describe Hornberger as someone who balances sharp legal instincts with an approachable personality and genuine concern for clients.

That balance has helped position TLD Law for continued growth while preserving the culture and client-focused philosophy that began in Downey generations ago.

According to the firm, TLD Law’s long-standing mission has centered on delivering “unmatched service and quality legal work” while building long-term relationships with clients throughout Southern California.

The Women of Excellence and Small Business Grant Dinner is scheduled for May 21 at Events on Pine in Long Beach. The event will feature a panel discussion moderated by Women’s Business Council President Cheryl Vargas highlighting the experiences and accomplishments of this year’s honorees.

Hornberger will be recognized alongside Amanda Parsons Derosier, owner of The Barre and recipient of the City of Hope Small Business Grant, Jerlene Tatum of the California Department of Education, and Natalie Hale, CEO of Media Partners Worldwide.