Top best State Lawyers in Los Angeles | 1803 available

Pawel helps families create effective plans to protect family, property, and money. Trusts, Wills, Power of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, and other strategies to protect your family, and everything you have accomplished.. A native of Poland, Pawel is fluent in Polish. Pawel holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles and business and music degrees from the University of Southern California and can be often found strumming the guitar or writing a script for relaxation.Specialties: Estate Planning

Our practice is:. (i)     40% estate tax planning;. (ii)    40% asset protection planning; and. (iii)   20% income tax planning.. Estate tax planning is different than "estate planning": estate planning determines "who gets what".  By contrast, estate TAX planning determines the value of what is passed to your heirs.  In estate tax planning we use the tools Congress has provided - family limited partnerships, GRATs (grantor retained annuity trusts), private annuities, SCINs (self-canceling installment notes), qualified personal residence trusts, etc - to pass value on to the heirs at reduced value.. In income tax planning we use the tools which Congress has provided - retirement plans and charitable structures - to reduce income taxes, provide for retirement and support worthy causes.. Note that the same structures used for tax planning also have creditor protection benefits. For example, a qualified personal residence trust reduces the value of the principal residence for estate tax purposes; it also reduces the attractiveness of the equity in your home to a future creditor.. Our practice is primarily based on referrals from CPAs, secondarily from other lawyers, financial planners and clients.

Our office provides legal services in the areas of the real esate, Landlord-Tenant, business formation and business litigation, contracts, civil litigation and personal injury. Our experienced attorneys will seek and provide you with the most practical solution to solve your legal issues.

Nina B. Ries has extensive experience in business and real estate, both as a litigator and as a transactional attorney. She has litigated a variety of complex matters and countless cases involving breaches of a variety of contracts, partnership disputes, business torts, 17200 claims, real estate disputes, employment matters (including sexual harassment), class action defense and intellectual property (including trademark, trade secret and unfair competition) on behalf of entrepreneurs, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. She credits her ability to anticipate the opposing party's arguments, strategy and actions to her experience both prosecuting and defending cases. Indeed, she is just as likely to sit at the defendant's table as she is at the plaintiff's.. Ms. Ries's experience as a litigator also benefits her clients in transactional matters. Because of her experience identifying weaknesses in documents, analyzing the parties' vulnerabilities, and crafting innovative ways to exploit those weaknesses during litigation, Ms. Ries readily applies this analysis to mitigate her clients' risk upfront, to protect clients in the event a deal later falls apart. The firm serves as outside General Counsel to a number of growing companies, and provides a wide range of legal services, including advice and counsel on business and real estate matters, the negotiation and structuring of deals, due diligence, and the drafting and negotiation of operating and partnership agreements, purchase and sale and related documents, employment contracts, disclosures, warranties, waivers, releases and more.. Ms. Ries has served on a number of Boards, including the Executive Board of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Barristers (2004-2009), the Editorial Board of Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine (2002-2003), and has also served as a member of the Board of a nonprofit corporation (2006-2010), the Executive Board of the USC Gould School of Law Young Alumni Committee (2004-2012; co-chair 2011-2012). Ms. Ries helped to found the USC Gould School of Law Alumni Association, and serves as President of the organization. In 2012, she was presented with the Widney House Alumni Award for her work with the Law Alumni Association. Most recently, Ms. Ries was named to the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors. She has been admitted to both state and federal courts in California and is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association Barristers, the State Bar of California and the American Bar Association.. Ms. Ries is a Southern California native. She attended college at the University of California at Irvine, where she triple-majored in Political Science (with honors), Philosophy and Sociology and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She attended law school at the University of Southern California, where she earned honors in several classes, including Contracts, Real Property and Remedies. She is active with her sorority's alumnae association (including as President of the Pasadena alumnae chapter and as an adviser to the House Corporation Boards at USC and UCLA) and within the Trojan family. In her leisure time, Ms. Ries enjoys attending sporting events, traveling and pursuing water-based sports, including snorkeling, kayaking and whitewater rafting.

My law office focuses on Real Estate Litigation and Transaction issues, Probate, Estate Planning (Wills and Trusts) and Trust Administration. Born and raised in Los Angeles, I started working for other firms in the LA area (including my father's firm in Norwalk, CA) where I learned how to be a top level attorney for my fellow Angelenos. Using a combination of legal writing skills and aggressive negotiations, I have been able to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars on behalf of my clients while winning appeals and being published.. I now focus on developing and guiding talented Attorneys and staff to provide high quality results for our clients. My vision is to help advance radical candor and integrity in the legal system by protected my clients' most valuable asset, their Real Estate and by protecting their families.. I look forward to helping advance to when the average person looks foward to seeing their attorney and can count on the legal profession to always be in their best interest.

Ms. Nader is co-founder of Proxy Law Firm, an employment law firm located in California. Ms. Nader strongly believes in the basic principle that all employees have the right to earn a livelihood without having to endure harassment, discrimination, intimidation, retaliation, or other unlawful pay practices at their place of employment. She is a sharp and dedicated lawyer and is determined to fight for justice for those who have suffered indignities in the workplace.

Ms. Davoudian has eight years of experience representing employers in all areas of employment and labor law. She has defended employers in California State and Federal courts against claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and violations of wage and hour laws. Ms. Davoudian is also experienced in representing employers in unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, and breach of employment agreement disputes. She has also represented clients in traditional labor law matters before the National Labor Relations Board and has arbitrated disputes pursuant to grievance and arbitration provisions of collective bargaining agreements.

Ms. Byzova is a highly knowledgeable attorney experienced in a variety of real estate and civil litigation matters in federal and state civil courts and probate courts. She is skilled at developing and executing the right strategy to help her client's achieve their goals. She has flexible litigation and negotiation style customized to reach results for her clients no matter the opponent or the circumstances. Every case is unique, and she is equally capable at being an aggressive litigator when necessary or brokering a deal.. Natalya has been selected to the 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 Southern California Rising Stars lists, an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. Only 2.5% of attorneys in Southern California receive this distinction. She was also named as Top Attorney in the area of real estate law by Pasadena Magazine in 2015, and as Best Real Estate Lawyer in Los Angeles in 2015 and 2016 by Thumbtack.

Ms. Blank was admitted to the California bar in 1986. She has had extensive experience in representing debtors and creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy and reorganization. In addition, she has had substantial trial experience in both state and federal courts. Ms. Blank was formerly associated with Perkins Coie and with Danning, Gill, Gould, Diamond & Spector (now known as Danning, Gill, Diamond & Kollitz). Ms. Blank holds degrees from the University of California at Berkeley (B.A. 1965), California State University, Northridge (M.A. 1973) and Loyola Law School (J.D. 1986). From 1992 to 1996, she served as a member of the California State Bar Committee on Debtor-Creditor Relations, and has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Bankruptcy Subsection of the Beverly Hills Bar Association since 1995. She is also a member of the Financial Lawyers Conference and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and served as President of the Women Lawyers’ Public Action Grant Foundation in 1997-1998. Ms. Blank has served as judge pro tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court and as a mediator for the bankruptcy courts for the Central District of California.

Mr. Stephen Vokshori graduated Magna Cum Laude from USC’s Marshall School of Business and elected to attend the UCLA School of Law for his Juris Doctor.  While in UCLA’s Business Law and Policy Program, he exhibited academic excellence in Real Estate, Corporate, and Finance law, and became a recipient of the Stephen E. Claman Scholarship.Mr. Vokshori’s work experience has included being managing partner at Taylor & Vokshori, a prominent real estate law firm, in-house legal counsel for a sizeable commercial and residential real estate company, litigation consultant with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, and litigation associate at Demler Armstrong & Rowland. As Managing Attorney of Vokshori Law Group, Mr. Vokshori utilizes his unique background in law, accounting, finance, and business when encountering complex real estate transactions, bankruptcy litigation, or business planning in anticipating and formulating solutions for his clients.  He brings a strategic perspective to his work that enables clients to understand the issues they face in new ways.  All the while, Mr. Vokshori understands that clients want to be kept apprised of their case and he makes time to personally meet with them and provide frequent status reports.Mr. Vokshori represents clients in all facets of bankruptcy proceedings and litigation, as well as insolvency issues in business transactions, and he represents debtors and secured lenders in their in- and out-of-court restructurings.  He also represents distressed homeowners who have been victimized by the proliferation of sub-prime and predatory lending as well as those who have witnessed double-digit percentage declines in property values which has stripped the equity out of their homes. Mr. Vokshori regularly advises business owners and entrepreneurs in all of their business transactions including matters relating to business planning and growth, and provides advice and legal services at all stages including startup, business expansion, transition planning and execution.  He has wide-ranging experience in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate.  He is also experienced in estate planning and trust administration, including business succession planning for family and other closely held enterprises.Mr. Vokshori understands the importance of community service and regularly devotes significant time to delivering needed pro bono legal assistance.  Throughout his legal career, he has volunteered his services to individuals fighting against corporate and state powers.  Volunteering with Public Counsel’s general relief advocacy program, Mr. Vokshori argued to protect the rights of people in the welfare system that were homeless or at risk of becoming so.  Mr. Vokshori also provided free legal assistance to UCLA students through UCLA’s Student Legal Services program, counseling students on a wide variety of legal issues. Currently, Mr. Vokshori spends his free time assisting low-income tenants fight against illegal evictions and unlawful detainer actions – a troubling corollary of the subprime mortgage foreclosure crisis.  He also dedicates time to volunteer at Public Counsel's Consumer Law and Debtor Assistance Projects in providing advice and counsel to debtors that are filing for bankruptcy without an attorney.

Mr. Putnam is managing partner at Monteleone & McCrory, LLP, where he heads the corporate, tax, and estate planning division of the firm.  As both an attorney and Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Putnam specializes in corporate and business law matters, taxation, real estate, estate planning, and asset protection.. Since joining the firm in 1980, Mr. Putnam's expertise in the fields of business and tax law has grown to include matters such as corporate governance, business formation and operation (including corporations, partnerships, LLC's, and LLP's), joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, business dissolutions (an area in which he has one of the leading published cases in California), unfair competition/trade secrets, complex business and real estate transactions, construction (with an emphasis on sports stadiums and arenas, including ADA issues), and  tax, financial, and asset protection planning.. Mr. Putnam is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in California, as well as the United States Tax Court and United States Court of Federal Claims.  Mr. Putnam serves as a settlement officer at the United States Tax Court, and also serves as a Judge Pro Tem in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.  The quality of his work is reflected by the fact that he is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (its  highest rating).. Mr. Putnam is past president of the Wilshire Bar Association and has served on its Board of Governors for many years.  He has served on various committees of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (including the State Appellate Judicial Evaluations Committee), the American Bar Association, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and is a member of the Illinois C.P.A. Society.. Active in numerous civic and charitable organizations, Mr. Putnam served on the South Pasadena City Council for 9 years (including two terms as Mayor and three terms as Mayor Pro Tem), the USC Athletic Department Board of Counselors, is a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association (where he has served as a Vice Chair), the USC Law Leaders Society, as well as numerous other community organizations.. Mr. Putnam obtained his undergraduate degree (with honors) in accounting from the University of Southern California in 1977.  He went on to earn his law degree in 1980 from USC.  While at USC, Mr. Putnam received numerous honors and awards in both law and accounting.  He has been a frequent lecturer for accountants, lawyers, financial advisors, and others in the areas of business, taxation, and estate and asset protection planning.

Mr. Newfield's practice focuses on real estate,business,and general corporate transactional matters and . Newfield's experience as both a transactional and litigation attorney enables him to handle transactions skillfully so as to avoid litigation,and handle litigation successfully due to his thorough understanding of the transactions that give rise to the dispute.

Mr. Goldblum is the chairman of TroyGould's Tax Department and is engaged in a broad tax practice with special emphasis on corporate and part­nership taxation, executive taxation, tax contro­versies and estate planning.

Mr. Citron is an attorney and entrepreneur specializing in business law, real estate, and succession planning.  With over 40 years of experience in practicing law, Mr. Citron has contributed to the success stories of hundreds of companies, utilizing his experience and the synergy of a carefully nurtured network of professionals.  Mr. Citron's support and counsel have fostered positive business relationships, and created a loyal client base for the boutique law firm of Citron & Deutsch. He continues to share his knowledge and experience through guest seminars on raising capital, succession planning, communications, technology and law.. Teaching Experience:. Mr. Citron has been an Assistant Professor of Business Statistics, Marketing and Business Law at California State University, Northridge (1968-1973) and an Instructor of Corporations at Western State University (1970-1973).

Mr. Chao's litigation practice focuses on commercial real estate matters, including trials and arbitrations arising from commercial leases.

Mr. Ben-Cohen is an Attorney-at-Law and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who specializes in civil and criminal tax controversy and litigation. Mr. Ben-Cohen is also a Certified Taxation Law Specialist, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Ben-Cohen represents clients in civil and criminal tax matters, including voluntary disclosures, offshore matters, audits, appeals, litigation, and collection defense. He also assists clients with state and local tax matters, including representation before the California Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, and Employment Development Department. Prior to establishing the Ben-Cohen Law Firm, PLC in 2009, Mr. Ben-Cohen was associated with the international law firms of Latham & Watkins, LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP. He also gained tax controversy experience working at Deloitte & Touche, LLP and the Tax Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Mr. Ben-Cohen was admitted to the California Bar in 2003. Mr. Ben-Cohen has been named a Rising Star in Tax Law by Super Lawyers from 2009 to 2016, an honor achieved by no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in California. In addition, Mr. Ben-Cohen ranked in the top 100 of the Up-And-Coming Rising Stars by Super Lawyers in 2015. He is also a member of the Tax Section of the American Bar Association.. Representative Engagements:. ·          Mr. Ben-Cohen represents numerous taxpayers who are voluntarily disclosing to the IRS offshore bank accounts and related income tax liabilities.. ·          Mr. Ben-Cohen represents a number of taxpayers who are being criminally investigated by the Department of Justice for failure to report foreign bank accounts and income earned on those accounts.. ·          Mr. Ben-Cohen has developed an expertise in sensitive civil tax examinations where fraud or substantial penalty issues may arise.. ·          Mr. Ben-Cohen handles criminal tax fraud investigations.. ·          Mr. Ben-Cohen represents taxpayers facing criminal and civil tax disputes with the California Franchise Tax Board and other state and local taxing agencies.. ·          Mr. Ben-Cohen obtains favorable private letter rulings from the IRS for taxpayers.. Education:. Mr. Ben-Cohen earned his law degree cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center. While at Georgetown, Mr. Ben-Cohen was a member of The Tax Lawyer, where he published The Real Estate Exception to the Passive Activity Rules in Mowafi v. Commissioner and the New Burden Shifting Statute, 55 TAX LAW. 96 (2002). Mr. Ben-Cohen has also published Public Civil Defenders: A Right to Counsel for Indigent Civil Defendants, 10 GEO. J. ON POVERTY L. & POL'Y, 1 (2003).He earned a B.S. degree cum laude from the University of Southern California, where he majored in accounting.. Articles:. ·           OVDPs: The IRS Should Put Its Money Where Its Mouth Is. Tax Notes International, August 11, 2014. ·          IRS’s Offshore Bait and Switch: The Case for FAQ 35. Daily Tax Report, March 9, 2011. ·          New Safe Harbor For Like-Kind 1031 Exchanges Real Property Section Review, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Volume V, Issue 4, June 2010. ·          Payments by Majority Shareholders to Minority Shareholders to Secure Change in Control: Ordinary Income or Capital Gain?, Daily Tax Report By Pedram Ben-Cohen - 2005. ·          Consideration of Subject Matter Jurisdiction of District Courts Required When Preparing Cases Where Taxpayers Seek Solely Statutory Interest, Daily Tax Report By Pedram Ben-Cohen - 2004. ·          The Real Estate Exception To The Passive Activity Rules In Mowafi v. Commissioner And The New Burden Shifting Statue, The Tax Lawyer By Pedram Ben-Cohen - 2002. ·          Public Civil Defenders: A Right To Counsel For Indigent Civil Defendants By Pedram Ben-Cohen & Simran Bindra - 2003

MillarLaw is a Los Angeles-based tax law practice. Through high-caliber legal guidance and sophisticated problem-solving, our attorneys protect the interests of individual and business clients around the world.. We take a determined approach to solving complex tax issues. Rather than juggling a high-volume caseload, we emphasize quality over quantity, valuing excellence in all we do. We appreciate how much is at stake. When your significant financial worth — and perhaps even your freedom — are on the line, you can count on us to work tirelessly toward a positive resolution.. Results matter. We’re dedicated to helping clients secure positive outcomes in serious tax matters.. Over 40 years of experience. Consultant for law firms and accounting firms. Adjunct Instructor Taxation Law. Respected Expert witness.. Serving A Global Clientele From our office in California, we assist taxpayers from around the world with both domestic and international tax matters.. Tax LawSophisticated Legal Services For A Global ClienteleAt MillarLaw, we focus exclusively on tax law, extending legal services to a global clientele of businesses and high-asset individuals. We understand that, in many tax matters, much is at stake. Your hard-earned assets, wealth or the success of your business may be on the line. We can advise you on the tax ramifications of gifts, bequests, sales and other dispositions and reporting of your assets. We can also advise you on how to best structure business transactions. Our lawyers apply sophisticated problem-solving skills and vigorous advocacy for those facing serious tax in Los Angeles, we assist clients worldwide with:International tax matters, including tax planning, controversies and services for ex-pats and dual nationalsDomestic tax matters, including disputes with the IRS and state taxing authorities in CaliforniaVoluntary disclosure (also known as “tax amnesty”) for both offshore and domestic assets and unreported incomeTax planning for businesses and high-asset individualsCombining Legal, Financial And Business AcumenMastering the nuances of tax law requires a high level of training, knowledge and application. At MillarLaw, we draw on 40-plus years of experience in both domestic and international tax matters. We also have strong backgrounds in business and financial matters, which means we bring well-rounded insight to complex tax issues.. Lawyer Sanford Millar is a certified specialist in taxation with a master’s degree in business taxation. Ani Galyan is both a tax lawyer and certified public accountant with an LL.M. in taxation. Read more about our legal team’s outstanding credentials.. Contact MillarLaw For All Your Tax Law NeedsWhether you need assistance challenging an IRS tax lien, pursuing voluntary disclosure, determining your tax liability or handling any other tax-related issue, you will find reliable guidance at MillarLaw.. Tax Planning For Businesses. Tax law is all we do at MillarLaw, a boutique firm based in California. We bring a unique level of knowledge, training and experience to every tax matter. Our services encompass both international and domestic tax planning for businesses.. Preserving Your Wealth Through Proactive PlanningTax planning commonly goes hand-in-hand with financial planning. All three are essential for protecting your wealth and managing your business assets. With careful planning, you can take advantage of numerous options for reducing your tax liability — including income, gift and estate taxes.. You’ve worked hard to build your business and your net worth. It’s well worth the investment now to shield that worth from the seemingly bottomless drain of taxes.. For many high net worth individuals, taxes are the most significant expense you will face during your lifetime. You can defer, reduce or even avoid many taxes through carefully thought-out strategies such as:. Forming domestic and international business entities to take advantage of favorable tax treatmentTax planning for foreign investment in real propertyMaking the most of financial losses to offset taxesMaximizing deductions and creditsAvoiding common pitfalls that can result in higher tax obligationsEngaging in tax-deferred real property exchanges to postpone capital gains taxAt MillarLaw, we work with high net worth entrepreneurs from around the globe to plan business and real property investments.. Strategies To Save On Business TaxesTax planning is just as important for businesses as it is for individuals. Yet the tax implications for businesses are often more complex. Your business may face many layers of federal, domestic and even international tax issues.. Our lawyers provide sound tax planning guidance for businesses around the globe. Our clients range from small, family-run ventures to international investors and financial institutions. We apply more than 40 years of tax law experience to provide concrete strategies geared toward success.. Start SavingLearn more about how you or your business can benefit from tax-saving strategies.. Tax ControversiesProtecting Your Interests In High-Stakes Tax ControversiesThe IRS has many tools and resources for enforcing the Internal Revenue Code. When a tax controversy arises, obtaining a favorable resolution may hinge on your ability to meet the IRS with the same high degree of skill, experience and knowledge.. At MillarLaw, you will find an experienced tax law team with 40-plus years of combined experience. Our attorneys devote their practices exclusively to this niche field. We understand the high financial stakes that are often involved in tax disputes. Our team applies a results-oriented approach toward resolving tax controversies in a favorable, efficient manner.. Benefit From The Firm’s Vast Experience And Wealth Of KnowledgeWe provide advocacy and advice for clients facing high-stakes tax problems, both domestic and international. Our tax lawyers have vast experience representing taxpayers in audits, examinations and investigations before the IRS and California state taxing authorities. Our services include:. Protecting your interests during all stages of the audit/examination processResponding to summons, statutory notices of deficiency and Information Document Requests (IDRs)Identifying and protecting privileged informationChallenging tax liens, levies, garnishments and other enforcement measuresPursuing innocent spouse relief, separation of liability relief and other forms of equitable reliefRequesting abatement of tax penaltiesAdvising you on proactive risk management strategies for mitigating your liability exposure down the roadAdvocating for a favorable outcome through mediation, arbitration or litigationChallenging an adverse decision before the IRS Appeals OfficeLitigating against the IRS in the U.S. Tax Courts, District Courts or Court of Federal ClaimsThe firm’s attorneys hold advanced degrees in taxation. Attorney Sanford Millar has a master’s degree in business taxation, and attorney Ani Galyan is a CPA with an LL.M. in taxation. As a result, we understand not only the intricacies of the Internal Revenue Code, but also the administrative procedures outlined in the IRS’s Internal Revenue Manual. We are well-versed in the rules of evidence and procedural rules for federal courts.. Contact Us NowThe IRS has experienced agents working for it. You need someone just as knowledgeable on your side. You need MillarLaw. For help during an audit or other IRS or state tax problem.

Michael W. Rabkin is a partner with Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin, LLP, and is manager of the firm’s Real Estate Department and co-manager of the firm’s Community Association Department. His practice involves all aspects of real estate transactions, including purchase and sale of individual properties and multi-property portfolios, development, and leasing of industrial, retail and office properties.. In addition, Mr. Rabkin represents numerous community associations such as townhomes, high rise condominiums, and planned unit developments.. Mr. Rabkin has been awarded an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. An AV Preeminent rating reflects an attorney who has reached the highest of professional excellence and is recognized for the highest level of skill and integrity.

Megan A. Moghtaderi is a skilled estates and trusts attorney based in Offit Kurman's Los Angeles office, serving clients throughout Southern California. She provides a wide range of legal services in areas such as estates and trusts, wealth management and asset protection, estate administration, estates and trusts litigation, elder law and advocacy, and guardianships. A Certified Specialist by the State Bar of California in Trusts, Estates, & Probates, Megan focuses on advising high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, corporate institutions, professional athletes, and entertainers on estate planning strategies designed to protect and preserve generational wealth while minimizing litigation risks.. As a principal attorney in the firm's trusts and estates practice group, Megan is recognized for her advocacy in trust litigation involving significant assets, managing cases exceeding $100 million. She adeptly represents clients in fiduciary disputes, including issues related to probate, conservatorships, guardianships, and the planning and administration of digital assets. By developing strategies for managing digital assets, Megan helps clients in the technology sector seamlessly integrate these important assets into their estate plans.. Megan believes in a client-centered approach, prioritizing clear communication and personalized service. By taking the time to understand each client's unique goals, concerns, and family dynamics, she ensures that their estate plans reflect their values and intentions. Her empathetic demeanor fosters strong relationships, making clients feel supported and informed throughout the legal process.. With substantial experience in probate and trust litigation, fiduciary representation, and complex estate planning, Megan has drafted a wide range of estate planning documents and provided guidance to high-net-worth clients on tax implications and corporate formation matters.. Her dedication to public service and commitment to legal excellence have earned her numerous recognitions, including the AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, recognition as a Southern California Rising Star® from Super Lawyers, and inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.. Megan is a board member of the Orange County Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section and the Social Committe Chair. She is also a member of the Professional Fiduciary Association of California (PFAC) and St. Thomas More Society. She is also the proud Chair, Legacy Planning Society for Able ARTS Work, a non-profit that provides lifelong learning, community service and vocational opportunities through the creative arts for people of all abilities and all ages in an environment of warmth, encouragement and inclusion.. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Biola University and the Torrey Honors Institute and was recognized as the top percent of her graduating class. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she went onto Chapman University Fowler School of Law, earning her J.D. During law school, she worked as a Judicial Law Extern for the Honorable Kim. R. Hubbard in Probate at the Orange County Superior Court.

MaryBeth Heydt has over twenty-five years of in-house, AmLaw100 law firm and Fortune 50 business advisory experience representing and advising commercial real estate investors and developers, lenders, borrowers, and public agency clients.. MaryBeth's practice focuses on a broad range of commercial real estate transactions. MaryBeth's transactional experience includes a wide variety of product types including, multifamily, industrial, retail, office, hospitality, sale/leaseback, gas stations, convenience stores, quick-service restaurants, agriculture, and gaming. On the commercial and corporate side, MaryBeth has extensive experience advising and representing clients in matters involving real estate acquisitions, dispositions, development, leasing, construction, land use/zoning, planning, condemnation, environmental, and property management. Ms. Heydt also has experience advising clients in business entity formation and governance. On the finance side, MaryBeth advises and represents lenders in loan originations, modifications, refinancing, workout, foreclosure, and lender liability actions.. Prior to joining DTO Law, MaryBeth practiced at Lewis Brisbois in their commercial real estate, public agency, commercial finance, and banking practice groups. MaryBeth also served as an internal commercial real estate workout and lending advisor to one of the largest banks in the United States. MaryBeth spent ten years as in-house counsel to commercial real estate investors and developers with assets across the U.S. MaryBeth has also served in the public sector as a Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Ronald Sohigian and Judge John H. Major for the Los Angeles Superior Court and as a legal extern for the Natural Resources Defense Council, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Los Angeles City Attorney Land Use Division. Additionally, she has litigated high profile cases such as the Northridge Meadows Apartment collapse matter.. MaryBeth also holds a Master of Planning degree from the University of Southern California.. When MaryBeth is not closing deals, you will find her traveling (twenty-six countries and counting), watching Wisconsin Badger and Southern Cal Trojan football, mentoring college and graduate students interested in careers in law or real estate, cooking, going to performing arts events, or spending time with her family (including her rescue fur babies).

Martindale Peer Review Rating:  AV (Preeminent, Highest Rating, 5 out of 5)

Mark L. Share is an AV-rated litigator and real estate attorney. His complex litigation practice includes representing clients in state and federal courts and arbitrations in real property and business disputes. He guides clients through sophisticated business transactions. Mr. Share counsels commercial and residential property owners, business entities, and executives.

Mark Nicoletti is a partner in the Firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, and has extensive experience representing real estate funds, individual investors and developers, home builders, and institutional and non-institutional lenders, in all areas of transactional real estate and real estate finance, including: construction, permanent, securitized, mezzanine, and cross-border financing; the acquisition, disposition and development of vacant land, office buildings, apartment complexes, hotels, shopping centers, and other commercial, residential, and mixed use properties; the formation and representation of corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other joint ventures; and representing commercial tenants and landlords in connection with office, retail, and other commercial leasing, ground leasing, and leasehold financing.. Prior to joining Sklar Kirsh LLP, Mark provided boutique transactional real estate and real estate finance services to a select group of investment banking clients and real estate hedge fund clients.. Mark began his legal career in 2000 with Gordon & Silver LTD, in Las Vegas. In 2004, Mark joined the Real Estate Practice Group at Snell & Wilmer LLP; and in 2005, Mark joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, as a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group.. Mark received his Juris Doctorate in 1999, graduating second in his class with High Honors, from the University of Florida College of Law, and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. While in law school, Mark was a member and business editor of the Journal of Law and Public Policy and received academic awards for Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights, Taxation of Estates and Trusts, and Constitutional Law. Mark received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 1994.. Mark is licensed to practice law in the State of California, the State of Nevada, and the State of Florida, and is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of California, the State Bar of Nevada, and the Florida Bar. Mark is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in the State of Florida.. Mark lives in Pasadena, CA with his daughter.

Known as a tough civil litigator who represents property owners in construction defect and real estate lawsuits, and employees in cases involving sexual harassment, discrimination and wrongful termination, Kenneth G. Ruttenberg is an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest designation an attorney can earn, nationwide. In 2014, he was named a Southern California “Super Lawyer” by his peers, and from 2015 through 2022, has been listed among the Top 100 Super Lawyers of Southern California. Ken’s aggressive approach to litigation has earned him rave reviews for acting as his clients’ voice and fierce advocate in the legal system. One of his past clients wrote: “You will never find an attorney as qualified and dedicated as Mr. Ruttenberg. His strength of character cannot be matched.” Over the 25+ years that he has been practicing law, he has settled numerous cases involving sexual harassment, disability and racial discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination.. Similarly, on matters of construction defects, he has obtained multiple six and seven-figure settlements and awards on behalf of property owners, both in court and in arbitration. Additionally, he has obtained verdicts or settled lawsuits involving real estate disputes, personal injury, mold exposure, medical malpractice, wrongful death, breach of contract, business disputes, and insurance bad faith. He also has two published opinions from the California Court of Appeals. All told, Ken is considered one of the best civil litigators in Southern California.. Ken’s expertise in representing the owners of single-family homes, apartment buildings and condos in construction defect lawsuits comes from his years of practicing real estate law. Over that time, Ken has built valuable relationships with construction experts in all fields to assist in uncovering hidden defects and calculating damages. With all of his clients, Ken is able to win their trust and get the job done.

Kermani Law Firm is a boutique law firm with a practice focused largely on business and real estate litigation, and real estate purchase and sale transactions. Our civil litigation practice includes: contract disputes, business litigation, personal injury, Entertainment law, Intellectual Property litigation, real property disputes and related matters.. As part of our transactional real estate practice, we offer risk management and training for real estate brokers and realtors. We represent buyers and sellers of real property in the acquisition and sale of residential, commercial and industrial real property assets.. Our founder, Ms. Samira Kermani, Esq., is a practicing real estate attorney, litigator, litigation consultant, expert witness.  Ms. Kermani also serves as a mediator and arbitrator.  She handles civil litigation and real estate transactions.  Ms. Kermani has been designated an expert witness in the area of brokers’ duties and standard of care. She is a member of the California Association of Realtors’ Legal Affairs Forum.  She serves as an Arbitrator at the Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors.  Ms. Kermani consults on risk management issues and is legal counsel to brokers.  She is a frequent speaker on real estate brokerage law and standard of care issues. She is the author of a Real Estate Blog. Ms. Kermani is a graduate of UCLA and Loyola Law School.  She has been a licensed attorney in California since 1994.  She is also a licensed broker (2001), has owned and operated as a franchisee of a national real estate brokerage, and practiced with Coldwell Banker Beverly Hills North office.  She is the CEO and General Counsel of Karlton Stone Brokerage   .