Direct Line: (925) 393-7885
Catherine enjoys an active Trusts & Estates practice focused on litigation and contested administrations. She represents fiduciaries, beneficiaries, heirs, and other parties related to their interests in trusts and estates, particularly under circumstances involving complex family dynamics, contested actions, and pending or active litigation. Her practice includes will and trust contests, claims against estates, accounting and administration disputes, financial elder abuse actions, and bringing and defending suits against fiduciaries for breaches of duty.
Catherine’s experience includes first and second chairing trials in state and federal courts, as well as managing cases from consultations and pre-litigation claims through the discovery process, trial, and appeals. In 2015, Catherine narrowed her broader civil litigation practice to focus solely in the field of trusts and estates. She has experience in probate courts in counties throughout California, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and more. Her strong negotiation skills allow her to reach best resolutions for her clients in and outside of formal mediation. Catherine enjoys zealous advocacy, while keeping in mind the practical implications of potential case outcomes, financial considerations, and the special circumstances of family dynamics involved in these matters.
MEMBERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS
- California Lawyers Association; Member of Litigation Section and Trusts & Estates Section
- American Bar Association; Member of Litigation Section and Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
- San Mateo County Bar Association; Member of Trust and Estates Section and Women’s Lawyer Section, Volunteer Scorer for San Mateo County High School Annual Mock Trial Competitions
- Contra Costa County Bar Association: Member of Estate Planning and Probate Section, Women’s Section, and Real Estate Section
- Northern California Super Lawyers: 2021, 2022
- San Francisco Magazine, Top Women Attorneys in Northern California: 2021, 2022
- UC Berkeley Mock Trial Invitational: Volunteer Judge
- NorCal Girl Scouts: Troop Leader (2017-present)
- San Mateo County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission (2017-2020)
- Alzheimer’s Association: Volunteer Advocate (2014-2020), Legislative Ambassador (2018-2019)
- Burlingame Mother’s Club: Board of Directors (2015-2018)
ADMISSIONS
- California State Bar
- United States District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California
- United States Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
EDUCATION
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (2006), J.D., Certificate of Concentration in Tax
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (1997), B.A., Political Science, Leadership Honors