Litigation involving trusts, probate, and the interpretation of wills often presents complex substantive and procedural issues. GMSR has successfully navigated these issues on appeal, obtaining a significant U.S. Supreme Court win regarding the scope of the “probate exception” to federal jurisdiction, a California Supreme Court win regarding a trustee’s attorney-client privilege, and numerous Court of Appeal wins involving breaches of fiduciary duty and the interpretation of wills.
Estate of Sun Mi Choi (Mar. 27, 2020, B298467) 2020 WL 1482403
Court of Appeal affirms GMSR clients’ appointment as general administrators of a large estate
Court of Appeal affirms GMSR clients’ appointment as general administrators of a large estate
The probate court had appointed GMSRs’ clients – professional fiduciaries – as special administrators to manage decedent’s businesses after her death. When the special administrators examined the companies’ finances, they discovered evidence suggesting that appellant had engaged in mismanagement and fraud. They locked him out
Bleich v. Bleich (June 17, 2018, B287236) 2019 WL 2498119
Court of Appeal holds that plaintiffs’ exclusive remedy for defendant’s intentional interference with inheritance expectancy was in probate court
Court of Appeal holds that plaintiffs’ exclusive remedy for defendant’s intentional interference with inheritance expectancy was in probate court
Relying on Beckwith v. Dahl (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 1039, plaintiffs sued their uncle, GMSR’s client, in civil court for intentionally interfering with their expectation of inheritance. They claimed their uncle intentionally exerted undue influence over his parents and interfered with his mother’s desires to leave
Estate of Jackson (May 16, 2019, B282375) 2019 WL 2136114
Court of Appeal rejects claim that Michael Jackson gave away 15% of his business at a middle-of-the-night meeting
Court of Appeal rejects claim that Michael Jackson gave away 15% of his business at a middle-of-the-night meeting
Four people claimed that Michael Jackson promised them 15% of The Michael Jackson Company in a middle-of-the-night meeting in 2006. After a long bench trial, the probate court rejected those claims on multiple grounds and confirmed that Jackson wholly owned the company.
Anti-SLAPP motions in probate? Alana Rotter explains a new decision applying the anti-SLAPP statute to petitions to enforce a no-contest clause.
Litigators are used to seeing anti-SLAPP motions in civil cases. But a new California Court of Appeal decision highlights that anti-SLAPP motions are also an option in the probate context, to challenge a petition to enforce a will or trust’s no-contest clause. Alana Rotter discusses
Robin Meadow speaking at the 2016 Trusts & Estates Symposium
At this year’s symposium for the Trust & Estates Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Robin Meadow will speak about his landmark case Estate of Duke (2015) 61 Cal.4th 871. The decision fundamentally changed the law regarding reformation of wills, and was the
GMSR receives a sixth California Lawyer Attorney of the Year award for its work in Estate of Duke (2015)
GMSR proudly congratulates Robin Meadow, Robert Olson, and Jeffrey Raskin for receiving the prestigious California Lawyer Attorney of the Year Award (CLAY) for their role as the petitioners’ counsel in Estate of Duke (2015) 61 Cal.4th 871. This is the sixth CLAY award for the
Estate of Duke (2015) 61 Cal.4th 871
California Supreme Court fundamentally alters probate law
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Who We Serve
Whether on appeal, assisting trial counsel, or advising government officials contemplating legislative action, GMSR provides unique insight into the complex laws that impact public entities.
Where coverage may exist, GMSR represents insureds on appeal effectively and efficiently. Where it does not, the firm protects insurers’ right to deny claims.
GMSR offers corporate clients objective assessments on appeal, based on a deep understanding of the limitations and opportunities of appellate review.
The firm’s lawyers are team players, collaborating with trial counsel at any level from legal strategy to writing or editing trial court motions and appellate briefs.
GMSR vigorously advocates the rights of individual plaintiffs and defendants, in both state and federal appellate courts.
As part of GMSR’s long-standing commitment to social justice and equality, GMSR provides pro bono appellate services to individuals and to community organizations on issues of concern.
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