Santa Cruz Lawyers

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...

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...

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...

I have been practicing law full time since 1977, and I have maintained a solo practice in Santa Cruz County since 1980. I have a general practice, with emphasis on personal injury cases, aviation accidents, and most other types of accidents. I also help individuals prepare estate plans, and eventually represent the heirs in probate proceedings. If you don't know how to describe your case, please call me, and I will let you know whether I can assist you, or else point you in the right direction.

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

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...

Timothy Walton has more than eighteen years experience in litigation with senders of unsolicited commercial email.

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

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...

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. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ...

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...

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

I am now retired and am not accepting any clients.

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...

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...

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.

Michael Barsi is admitted to practice in both the California and the Federal District Court's in the State of California and has practiced law for over 30 years. Mike Barsi received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of California at Berkeley with honors in December 1986 and his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law in December 1991. Mr. Barsi practices in the areas of estate planning, Wills and Trusts as well as Probate Administration. Michael has represented clients in both California state courts and the United States Federal District Courts for over 30 years...

Over twenty-nine years experience in workers' compensation and personal injury law, twenty-four years as an attorney. Former firefighter injured in the line of duty, went to law school as vocational rehabilitation. Have lived and worked in Santa Cruz County for over thirty-four years.

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.

I began practicing family law in 2010. I bring with me not only my years of experience as an attorney but also my experience as a mom and step-mom. I love being able to help people during this time in their lives. I bring common sense and real-world solutions to my client's family law problems. I offer unbundled services and charge well below the industry standard. I believe that everyone should have access to quality, affordable legal help. When I a not working I can be found reading, watching baseball or college football, cooking, walking my dogs, or traveling with...

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...

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...