Santa Cruz County Lawyers

Mr. Sowards is an estate planning and wealth transfer attorney. He sets ups estate plans, including living trusts, to help to avoid probate, minimize taxes and limit conflict. He also helps to settle out and administer trust and probate estates. He represents trustees to help them comply with the terms of the trust agreement and the California Probate Code. He minimizes conflict and lawsuits between trustees and beneficiaries or legal heirs. He also represents small and family owned businesses. He has saved his clients millions of dollars in probate fees and has successfully resolved several family conflicts that likely would...

For your out of court settlement, mediation, negotiation, or transactional needs, contact Kevin Boileau, PhD, at 415.830.0065 or 858.688.4871. Specializing in complex negotiation, mediation, transactional, and int'l problem-solving. INTL LAW, divorce, business, climate change and water, design - - We handle transactions in Asia, Europe and throughout North America. ANIMAL RIGHTS MEDIATION - - We protect animals ranging from Animal Control issues, to vet malpractice, ownership, systemic abuse, and other. CLIMATE CHANGE, WATER & LAND MEDIATION - - We offer creative solutions to conflicts emerging from a changing environment. Wildfires, coastal erosion, earthquakes, land degradation, flash floods, heat, and polluted and scarce water. DIVORCE &...

Experienced patent attorney with a strong technical background, over 250+ issued patents, and many trademarks. In addition to my legal background, I have a Biophysics STEM background (PhD) and experience with medical devices, software, electronics, and biotech. I have a lot of experience with startups, due diligence, and litigation support.

A Bay Area native, Chelsea has always been committed to making a difference in the local community. Family law has provided her the avenue to help families in transition, while maintaining civility and focus on issues that truly matter. Chelsea graduated Cum Laude and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Saint Leo University in St. Leo, Florida, which she attended on a volleyball scholarship. She returned to the Bay Area for law school and graduated with her Juris Doctor Degree from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2015. While in law school, Chelsea used her classroom knowledge to help families while working...

Attorney Paul Van Der Walde is a founding partner of Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP. For more than two decades, he has tried cases throughout Santa Clara courtrooms. His goal is to help individuals who are victims of accidents, whether small or big. He has many accomplishments, such as being part of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and being awarded the Personal Injury Attorney of the Year by Consumer Business Review. Learn more about Attorney Van Der Walde and find out how the firm can help you get the financial compensation you deserve.

Hi, I am Megan Gooing, Attorney and Counselor at Law, and my practice is primarily focused on estate planning, probate, and trust administration. I work for a boutique law firm that caters to each individual client's specific needs, rather than providing a one size fits all solution to issues. I look forward to learning how I can serve you and your family.

I assist our clients with all aspects of the estate planning process, including: the creation and/or modification of an estate plan, providing guidance upon the incapacity of a client, engaging in Medi-Cal planning, and helping the client’s trusted loved ones through the process of administrating the estate plan upon the client’s passing. When I meet with clients, I make an effort to provide an open and friendly space where the clients may ask their questions and feel that their concerns are being heard. I am proud to be the owner of a law office that values our clients’ peace of...

Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate law, focusing on estate planning for families with children. Besides doing estate planning, I regularly file petitions in the Courts to gather loose assets into a trust after someone has died (i.e., a "Heggstad" petition) or to modify an irrevocable trust in order to correct errors or deficiencies, or add in provisions that can be beneficial to a family. Additionally, I assist with probate and trust administration of a decedent's estate or trust after they have died.

Ken is a transactions attorney, arbitrator and mediator with 29 years of experience in intellectual property licensing, litigation, and technology transactions. He practiced at leading US law firms and served as Senior Vice President at Samsung Electronics as the head of the Silicon Valley IP Office from 2011 to 2021. Ken has handled more than two hundred IP litigation matters, negotiated numerous patent licenses including three of the largest patent cross license agreements, and helped clients to acquire companies ranging from startups to a multibillion dollar company. He was also extensively involved in SEP and FRAND disputes...

I have focused my practice solely on estate planning and advanced estate planning, specifically the legal work to PREVENT PROBATE. As a San Mateo County native, I receive great satisfaction in using the law to help other San Francisco Bay Area residents and home owners avoid the time consuming, costly and disruptive probate process. I meet with every client at a Fidelity Law Office near them and guide them through the estate planning process in a fun and efficient way. My positive approach and knowledge of estate planning law ensures that each client makes the right decisions for their estate...

Paul Caputo, Esq. is a founding partner and the senior trial attorney at Caputo & Van Der Walde - Injury and Accident Attorneys. His goal as a trial lawyer is to represent injured people who are unable to afford legal representation. He has taken on large companies and extended personal resources on behalf of his clients. Paul Caputo has a long history of success and has achieved numerous recognitions, including being the only Santa Clara County lawyer who was chosen as the California Trial Lawyer of the Year. He is ready to take on your case, so schedule a case...

Paul was born in Boston Massachusetts and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona to attend Arizona State University. After completing his undergraduate degree, he moved to the Bay Area in 1989 to study law at Santa Clara University. He received his Doctorate in Jurisprudence in 1993, and practiced for one year as a defense attorney for a local insurance defense firm. After watching large insurance companies take advantage of plaintiffs, Paul joined a Bay Area civil litigation practice and specialized in helping plaintiffs in personal injury cases such as car accidents, slip and falls, and wrongful death. He became a partner of Cornell &...

Judge Suzanne K. Nusbaum (Ret.) brings a wealth of experience to her ADR practice. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, with specialized expertise in commercial contract, employment, health care, real estate and intellectual property matters, she serves on many ADR panels, including the American Arbitration Association's National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), Arts Arbitration and Mediation Services (AAMS), the American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA), Kaiser Permanente, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Judge Nusbaum arbitrates and mediates legal fee disputes for the State...

Mr. Burgess is the owner of Law Offices of David C. Burgess. He focuses his practice on the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. He has extensive experience in the purchase and sale of businesses, both from the seller and the buyer standpoints. His goal is to listen carefully to his clients, recognizing that each person and business is unique. He then seeks to fashion practical, creative, and cost-effective solutions to best fit each client's specific circumstances. He offers the personal attention, customized service, and efficiency that often are lacking from the mega law firms. Mr. Burgess seeks to build long-term...

Carol is a lawyer who is certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Carol graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law. She is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section of the Silicon Valley Bar Association, and a former Editor of its newsletter, the Scrivener. Carol has received an "AV® Preeminent" rating from Martindale.com and has been named a Super Lawyer (2012 - 2023) Rising Star (2011) in Northern California. Carol is a former...

We provide dedicated representation designed to produce results. Our primary focus is real estate, construction, landlord tenant and business law.

Benita Ventresca has been practicing family law in Santa Clara County, California, since 1978. She helps her clients throughout San Jose and the Bay Area deal with some of lifes most difficult issues while minimizing conflict and reaching the fastest possible resolution whenever possible. At Law Offices of Benita Ventresca, Attorney Ventresca provides representation in family law areas that include divorce, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, restraining orders, and paternity actions. Attorney Ventresca emphasizes communication with her clients, persistent advocacy, and attention to all aspects of their case. Regardless of the size of the case, her...

John Erik Fraker is the chair of the Charitable Planning & Philanthropy Practice Group for Ainer & Fraker, LLP. Specializing in high net-worth estate planning, philanthropy, and asset protection, John excels at providing sophisticated financial solutions and advanced charitable techniques that help individuals reduce taxes, provide a lasting legacy, and strengthen the familyâs core identity. Prior to co-founding Ainer & Fraker, LLP in 2002, John handled the investment and insurance needs of high net worth families as a fee-only financial planner in the affluent Brentwood Santa Monica area of Los Angeles. Additionally, he worked as Business Development Officer for the...

Scott Kanter is the lead estate planning and estate and trust litigation attorney within the Hinshaw Estate Planning practice group. He was admitted to practice law in California in 1998 and he has tried in excess of twenty jury trials and over thirty court trials. Over the course of his career, his legal practice has encompassed a broad spectrum of experience including estate planning and estate and trust litigation matters. He walks his clients through the estate planning process to ensure that all of their important estate planning goals and...

Cecelia became a Certified Family Law Specialist in 2002 and has continued to maintain these credentials. She has been practicing law since 1991. At this time nearly 100% of her business is in Family Law matters, including Divorce, Custody, Support, Guardianship, Parentage, pre and post nuptial agreements, and other related matters. This includes not only negotiated settlements, but trials and appeals. She understands the pressure that is asserted by the system (and the opposing spouse) when going through a court proceeding and is committed to, as much as is possible, reducing the stress experienced...

Criminal defense attorney John D. Fitzpatrick fiercely defends the constitutional rights of his clients in courts throughout the state, protecting them from racial profiling, excessive force, mass incarceration, and the prison industrial complex. He has repeatedly won dismissals of all charges, earned the release of numerous clients from custody, and negotiated the most favorable terms for his clients.* John aggressively represents his clients from Arraignment through all phases of trial and will not rest until the case is dismissed or they are fully acquitted. He knows firsthand the effects that any conviction or incarceration can have on his clients and their...

I am now retired and am not accepting any clients.

Certified Specialist, Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
Certified Public Accountant, State of California
AV Preeminent Peer Review, Martindale-Hubbell
Northern California Super Lawyer

Jennifer K. Whipple is an Attorney with over 20 years of civil litigation experience. Prior to founding Whipple Law Group, Ms. Whipple served as In-house Litigation Counsel and Assistant General Counsel to the world's largest fresh-packed tomato processor and prior to that, she was a Partner at an AV-rated firm. Ms. Whipple’s current practice focuses on Special Education law and Employment law. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ...

Certified Specialist, Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Rated AV Preeminent for over 30 years (1986-current) - Professional excellence earned through a strenuous Peer Review Rating process that is managed and monitored by Martindale-Hubbell

Selected to Northern California Super Lawyers

Sharon Glenn Pratt is the founder of the law firm of Pratt & Associates, APC. She has over 30 years of experience specializing in civil litigation, contract review and preparation, CC&R and Rules interpretation and enforcement, construction and architectural review, Fair Housing law, civil restraining orders, financial issues, elections and recalls, corporate governance, and Anti-SLAPP law. She also practices in other areas of real property law such as construction, easements, boundaries, nuisance, premises liability, and neighbor law.

Personal
Sharon is a mother of 3 children, and has been an active supporter of Bellarmine College Prep School, Los Gatos High School, University...

Mr. Wang’s practice focuses on employment litigation that includes civil claims involving wrongful termination, harassment, unpaid wages, discrimination, trade secrets and workplace violence claims. He is also involved in counseling his clients as to human resources issues ranging from family leave practices, workplace investigations, and disciplinary write-ups.

I have a successful business litigation and civil appellate practice. I also represent both debtors and creditors in Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. I represent individuals and businesses in Chapter 11 reorganizations. I also represent both plaintiffs and defendants in bankruptcy adversary proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California and the Eastern District of California.