John specializes in the area of probate litigation. He represents beneficiaries, fiduciaries and others in a variety of trust and estate matters, including those involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty by trustees, trustee removal and surcharge, the validity of testamentary documents, financial abuse, actions concerning the characterization and distribution of property, and accounting controversies.

John’s practice also includes business litigation, aspects of which often come within his probate litigation cases where business assets are involved. John has represented both plaintiffs and defendants across a range of business litigation matters. He has favorably resolved disputes concerning trade secrets and trademarks, unfair competition, fraud, breach of contract, and corporate dissolution, among many others. He has represented individuals and businesses in numerous industries including technology, real estate and financial, and worked with companies across the growth spectrum from startups to Fortune 500 businesses.

After graduating from law school, John served as a federal court law clerk in San Francisco for the Honorable Martin J. Jenkins of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Prior to joining Carr McClellan in 2008, John practiced for five years at the international law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP, where he litigated intellectual property and business disputes.

Probate Litigation Expertise:

• Trustee removal and surcharge actions
• Trust and will challenges (undue influence, lack of mental capacity, etc.)
• Financial abuse
• Trust interpretation controversies
• Trust accounting issues

Business Litigation Expertise:

• Intellectual property
• Corporate dissolution
• Unfair competition
• Breach of contract
• Partnership disputes

Academic Credentials

• J.D., cum laude, University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 2002
• Senior Editor, Hastings Law Journal
• B.A., Law and Society, with high honors, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1997

Professional Affiliations

• State Bar of California
• California Bar, Trusts and Estates Section
• San Mateo County Bar Association
• Admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California

Civic Affiliations

• Parks and Recreation Foundation of San Carlos, Vice President and Board Member