Litigation
We thrive on the give and take of legal negotiations, and pride ourselves on resolving the thorniest of disputes outside the courtroom. Our long history of handling complex issues and our deep experience litigating before federal, state, and local courts, gives us the leading edge on litigation avoidance techniques and pre-litigation counsel. While we appreciate that litigation is not always the best answer, we also understand the value of staking a claim and will fight to attain the best possible outcome.
Business Disputes
Our deep understanding of industry and business sectors such as vineyard and ranch management, food and entertainment, manufacturing, retail sales, and professional healthcare services gives a unique understanding of what these businesses do and what they need when it comes to litigation. We handle a range of matters including commercial litigation, bankruptcy filings and creditors’ rights, property and construction disputes, ownership, and partnership issues, to name a few.
Trust, Estate and Probate Controversies
The firm’s solid foundation in estate planning, trust and probate law bolsters our ability to effectively resolve family disputes and achieve our clients’ goals while meeting the needs of next generation beneficiaries. We have strong capabilities in the arena of family-owned businesses and multi-generational estates that allow us to partner with our clients to protect their interests, resolve contentious disputes, and preserve the value of their estate as they intend.
Sometimes disputes are best resolved by an independent tribunal when it comes to claims of undue influence, beneficiary and fiduciary disputes, contested guardianships and conservatorships. For these we draw upon our longstanding record in the appropriate tribunal be it mediation, probate and/or civil court. Clients rely on our extensive experience to resolve legal issues among beneficiaries, trustees, executors and other involved parties to successfully settle intra-family strife.
Litigation Experience
When litigation becomes necessary to resolve a dispute, we have the legal chops to go the distance. Firm partner Mary Piasta handled complex litigation cases for thirteen years, and won the top real estate jury verdict in the state of California for 2014. Mary’s litigation experience combines with the firm’s business and legal strengths to resolve clients’ litigation issues in an efficient cost-effective manner.