◈ Homepage — http://www.mcdlawyers.net/Home About Us Our Team Expertise Resources Careers Contact Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate & Litigation Attorneys   A common-sense approach to the practice of law.  Wide Range of Expertise Our portfolio of work includes estate planning, trust administration and probate, business counseling, wealth preservation, dispute resolution, litigation and appeals, among others.  We Can Represent You We represent small to mid-sized businesses, enterprise corporations, partition referees, state and local governments, families and individuals. If you need legal counsel, our highly collaborative and accomplished team of legal experts can certainly assist you.  Outstanding Professionalism Our distinctive customer- centric approach provides you exceptional legal representation tailored to your specific need. Contact Us Have any questions? We would love to hear from you. Please send us a note or give us a call! Contact Follow Us  Get news from  McDowall Cotter APC  in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy ◈ Interior Pages — 60 pages crawledDavid S. Rosenbaum, Esq. | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page David S. Rosenbaum As a trial attorney, David provides defense litigation in the areas of Trusts and Will Disputes Employment, Breach of Contract, Personal Injury Defense (CGL, Homeowners, Automobile policies), and Public Entity Defense (Dangerous Condition, Policy Officer Liability). David acts as personal counsel and Cumis counsel when your personal assets are at risk because you either have no or insufficient insurance coverage. David also acts as plaintiff counsel in Financial Elder Abuse cases. David provides business counseling for selection of an appropriate entity and employment counseling for employers. David’s experience, practicing since 1991, with 23 jury trials, 300+ arbitrations, 300+ mediations and 10 appeals, has taught him that trial by jury is at times a necessity, but he prides himself on realizing his clients’ goals in the most efficient and cost-effective ways possible. Clients Start-up, Emerging and Publicly Held Corporations | Insurance Company Policy Holders | General and Sub-contractors | Public Entities | Non-Profit Organizations | Individuals | Employers | Trustees/Executors Current Positions Managing shareholder at McDowall Cotter | Former President Association of Defense Counsel in Northern California and Nevada Professional Summary David is also a writer and educator. He has authored and frequently speaks to fellow attorneys, insurance companies, and industry trade groups a variety of topics and titles such as: Personal Injury Defense Topics Analyzing Liens in Personal Injury Cases Medicare Mandatory Insurer Reporting The Mystery of Medicare Uncovered (an analysis of the Medicare Secondary Payor Statute and Electronic Reporting) Proving the Value of Present and Future Medical Bills Under Howell and Corenbaum : How to Establish “Negotiated Rate Differentials” in Medicare, Kaiser, and Other Lien Cases Personal Injury for Paralegals in California The Future of Discovery – Ethically Mining the Web for Evidentiary Gold Rosenbaum, D. (2015, Summer). Kaiser Health Plans: Is Planiff’s Real Measure of Recovery Zero Dollars? Defense Comment . Business Operations and Planning Topics Why All Successful Businesses Need a Written Business Plan and How to Make One Improving Office Efficiency – A Process Based Approach to Operations and Implementation of a Technology Platform Strategic Use of Technology to Raise Revenues in the Law Office Optimizing the Modern Law Firm Law Office in Your Pocket – Apps that Allow You to Practice Law Anywhere You Want, Without Lugging all that Paper Around The Virtual Law Office Employment Law Topics Social Media, Computers and Mobile Technology — Traps for the Unwary Rest and Meal Breaks in Light of Brinker How do we Avoid the Wage and Hour Lawsuit — Non-exempt, Lunch and Rest Breaks, Record Keeping Employee Handbooks – Does our Business Need One? So He “won’t be back,” How to be an Employer Terminator Protecting your Best Kept Trade Secrets! Customer & Vendor Lists, Processes & Technology Independent Contractor or Employee; Exempt or Non-Exempt? Those are the Questions (Employer Problems with misclassified workers) Estate Litigation Topics Current Trends in Estate Litigation Since 2007 David has been on the Board of Directors for the Association of Defense Counsel, Northern California, and Nevada. He is also active in local public service organizations, having served on the Board of Directors as Secretary to San Mateo County’s StarVista, from which he was the 2006 recipient of the Silver Barbell Award, “In recognition of the extraordinary contributions in helping to make a tangible difference to the thousands of low-income and at-risk youth and families served in the San Mateo County area.” David received his B.A. at the University of Oregon and his law degree at Santa Clara University School of Law. In addition to his native English, he speaks Italian, French, and Greek. Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 LinkedIn | Avvo David's vCard Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Contact | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Contact Us ; McDowall Cotter ’s chief objective is to deliver exemplary legal services that are personalized, effective, and efficient. Legal matters can be confusing and intimidating; we make it our business to provide clients with the assistance they need to understand the law and with the services they desire to make it work for them. Located in San Mateo, McDowall Cotter provides comprehensive legal services in three areas of practice: civil litigation; business; and wealth preservation. We pride ourselves on our knowledge, experience, commitment and compassion. We strive, for every client and under every circumstance, to conduct ourselves in ways that combine the care and creativity that make us excellent wealth preservation planners with the determination, teamwork and attention to detail that explain our enduring success as business counselors and litigators. McDowall Cotter, APC provides ongoing complimentary educational and professional training workshops and we are happy to come to you to present on any of our topics. For more information on these workshops, please see our Events Calendar under Resources. If you have any suggestions on topics that you would like to see covered in the future, we always solicit your input and feedback. Please call the office for further information. Disclaimer By providing my phone number to “McDowall Cotter”, I agree and acknowledge that “(Brand Name)” may send text messages to my wireless phone number for any purpose. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency will vary, and you will be able to Opt-out by replying “STOP”. For more information on how your data will be handled please visit or see the privacy policy below; Privacy Policy No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Your Phone # (required) Referred by (required) Subject Your Message Disclaimer* Please understand that the use of this form does not create an attorney-client relation. We will be happy to discuss the matter with you should you need any assistance. Please call our office to schedule a consultation. Our Information Primary Address: 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, California 94403 Phone: 650.572.7933 Fax: 650.572.0834 E-mail: [email protected] Business Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Mon-Fri) *Directions to McDowall Cotter: From US 101: Take CA-92 W towards Half Moon Bay. Take El Camino Real Exit. Take Left onto El Camino Real. Turn Right onto W 20th Ave. Turn Left onto Pioneer Court. From 280: Take CA-92 E towards Hayward. Take El Camino Real Exit. Turn Right onto El Camino Real. Turn Left onto W 20th Ave. Turn Right onto Pioneer Court. Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Civil Litigation | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Civil Litigation G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Our San Mateo civil litigation practice, based in San Mateo, draws equally on four of our core competencies: analysis, strategy, advocacy and common sense. Since its start in Palo Alto, McDowall Cotter has specialized in litigation defense for insurance companies, defending policy holders and providing coverage opinions in the San Francisco Bay Area. Over time, our litigation services evolved to include defense litigation for individuals, small businesses, start-ups, contractors, corporations, public entities and their employees, and non-profits. We have represented plaintiffs and defendants clients against PG&E San Mateo Fire, dog bites cases, boundary disputes, employment matters and more all over the San Francisco Peninsula and farther. Today, we are a well known San Mateo Law Firm not only for our defense litigation but also for our appellate work, which has resulted in important legal precedent in the San Francisco Bay Area, the state of California, and for our guidance in other forms of dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration. We are seasoned litigators. We are as comfortable before a jury as we are in consultation with our clients. However, in no case do we rush to trial. Disputes are unavoidable; our job is to help you resolve them as effectively and as efficiently as possible. McDowall Cotter has served clients in the greater San Francisco Bay Area including the Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, San Francisco County, Alameda County and more… Are you looking to hire a civil litigation attorney? Have you recently been involved in an automobile accident and looking for an attorney to represent you? Contact our office at 650-572-7933 to schedule a phone consultation with one of our civil litigation attorney to answer the questions you might have. We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Justine Williams | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Justine Williams Client Services Coordinator Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Manuel Bernal | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Manuel Bernal Client Services Coordinator Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Expertise | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Expertise ; Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation McDowall Cotter provides comprehensive legal services in three areas of practice: Civil Litigation; Business Services; and Wealth Preservation.   As individual attorneys, we offer our clients extensive knowledge, decades of experience, and a commitment to continuing education in each area of practice that keeps us abreast of new developments in the law. Collectively, as a team, we bring multiple perspectives and skills to each client’s concerns. Never is an estate planning document or business contract complete before it is reviewed with possible future litigation in mind. Nor is litigation pursued without the kind of meticulous research and preparation that makes McDowall Cotter documents and contracts virtually unassailable. Still, we know that the continued success of our practice is contingent on much more than rock solid documents and triumphant litigation. Satisfied clients who feel understood and appreciated ultimately decide our future. For that reason, we have come to think of client service itself as an additional area of expertise, and we present our counsel not in the esoteric jargon of jurisprudence but in everyday language that enables our clients to assume an active role in the legal process.   Memberships & Affiliations – American Board of Trial Advocates – Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada – Peninsula Estate Planning Council – San Mateo County Bar Association – Santa Clara County Bar Association – WealthCounsel Areas of Expertise Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Barbara Barrett | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Barbara Barrett Finance Barbara joined McDowall Cotter in 2005 as a bookkeeper. She attended CSUSJ and is the proud mother of two wonderful daughters. She enjoys gardening, music, cats and dogs, yarn, Burning Man, though not necessarily in that order. Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Barbara's vCard Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Announcements | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Announcements G Final Advance Health Care Planning Resources Announcements , Article , Blog , Estate Planning Final Advance Health Care Planning Resources from MyCareMyPlan: Speak Up Sonoma County. To download and view this handout, please click here. read more McDowall Cotter Prevails in Appellate Court Decision! Announcements , Civil Litigation read more Follow McDowall Cotter on Social Media Announcements , Article , Blog , Social Events McDowall Cotter is now available on several social media platforms! To get all of our exciting announcements, virtual event reminders, new articles and so much more, follow us on any of the platforms listed below. McDowall Cotter Instagram McDowall Cotter LinkedIn... read more We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Erin Cornelisen | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Erin J. Cornelisen Paralegal Before joining McDowall Cotter, Erin accrued over 20 years of experience in the legal field, focused on Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration. Erin obtained a Paralegal Certificate from Canada College as well as an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies. In her free time, Erin enjoys live music, traveling, and Formula One Racing. Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Employment Disputes | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Employment Disputes G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Perhaps the best way for an employer in the state of California to avoid employment disputes (and the loss of assets that can accompany them) is to possess and abide by an employment handbook whose rules and regulations are consistent with those of the state’s labor code and the federal statutes that govern employer/employee relations. McDowall Cotter specializes in advising clients on the creation and maintenance of such handbooks, as well as on other preemptive measures that make for a happy, stable, productive and legally defensible workplace. For more on this topic, please see Business Services: Employer/Employee Relations . Of course one cannot prepare for all eventualities. If you are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and are looking to get advice on employment disputes, our knowledgeable attorneys are here to help. Located in San Mateo, our law firm has assisted clients in the San Francisco Peninsula, South Bay, Alameda Count, on disagreements over wages, breaks, and family leave entitlements. Such disagreements are commonplace, as are accusations of discrimination (gender, race, sex, age) and wrongful termination. Many such disputes are settled without appeal to authorities. Others, however, proceed to Labor Board hearings, Fair Employment and Housing investigations, and even civil lawsuits. No matter the nature or the complexity of the dispute, McDowall Cotter attorneys located in San Mateo provide the representation you need to resolve it quickly and efficiently. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Michelle Galan | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Michelle P. Galan Client Services Coordinator Michelle joined McDowall Cotter in July 2020 and is enjoying the opportunity for growth and learning with the estate planning and trust administration team. Michelle has several years experience working in office administration, startups, healthcare, and corporate environments. She previously worked in corporate transactional and employment law practice. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys time with her family and silver Labrador as well as adventures and nature on the California coast. Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Wills & Trusts Preparation | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Wills & Trusts Preparation G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Safeguarding and distributing assets is one of the primary goals of wealth preservation and estate planning. The question is how best to achieve it. What is a Will? The will (or last will and testament, as it is traditionally called) is a time-honored legal instrument that gives you varying degrees of control over your assets after you die. It can be fairly straightforward and inexpensive to develop, and it’s amendable, even revocable, during your lifetime. One disadvantage of the will is that it is usually subject to probate. What is Probate? Probate is a certificate issued by the court that verifies if the will of a deceased is legally valid, and whether the executors appointed under the will are authorized to administer his or her estate. This court-administered process can be time-consuming, costly, and is necessarily a matter of public record. An alternative to the will, increasingly common these days, is the revocable living trust (RLT). An estate plan with an RLT can help you maximize control over your assets not only after your death but during your lifetime as well. The RLT offers numerous advantages over the last will and testament, not the least of which is the privacy it ensures because of its freedom from probate. Properly designed, implemented, and funded, the estate plan enables you to: Arrange for your own care, should you become ill or incapacitated Name a guardian and make provisions for minor children Plan for beneficiaries with special needs Ensure the expeditious transfer of assets, including real estate Exert control over the manner and timing of asset distributions Create a succession plan for your business Establish a legacy for future generations Guard your family’s privacy Reduce estate taxes Of course the revocable living trust, like any complex legal document, is only as good as the knowledge, planning, and care that goes into it. At McDowall Cotter, we offer decades of experience with wealth preservation and estate planning and a commitment to the kind of rigorous ongoing education that guarantees its integrity and success. If you are based in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…) and San Francisco, and are looking to make or update an existing will or trust, please feel free to schedule a consultation with our attorneys at McDowall Cotter. For a more detailed discussion of wills and trusts, please see articles by McDowall Cotter wealth-preservation and estate-planning attorneys in our Resources section. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Careers | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Careers ; McDowall Cotter has served clients in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for more than half a century. Teamwork, collaboration, passion and excellence in our work define the amazing work culture at McDowall Cotter. We foster a highly productive and revitalizing work environment, create a healthy work- life balance, offer an outstanding benefits package and facilitate a strong support system for our employees. It allows our team to call McDowall Cotter a home away from home while creating brilliant solutions to our clients’ most intricate problems. We always welcome top talent at McDowall Cotter. If you are a qualified Attorney, Paralegal or a Client Service Specialist, looking for the next challenge in our career, talk to us!   Internship Opportunity at McDowall Cotter Internship in high school can be a fantastic way to get some real world experience before heading off to college. Internships are not just for college students anymore. Many students in high school are using internships as a strategy to help decide their major, bolster their college applications and gain experience to better prepare themselves to land their next internship after they have additional collegiate knowledge under their belts. We at McDowall Cotter believe that there is no better way to understand a profession than by actually doing it. McDowall Cotter is a part of the Summit Intern Program. Summer Internship is available for students aged between 16-18 years. Interns will be placed in a highly professional office environment where they will work closely with a lawyer, shadow a lawyer, and learn about the different attributes of the legal world while developing their networking skills.   We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE HIPAA | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page HIPAA G HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is United States legislation that provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information. > HIPAA Authorization (pdf download) We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE POLST Form | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page POLST Form G Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment POLST Form – External Link We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Lonan W. Tetting | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Lonan W. Tetting Litigation Paralegal Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Robert D. Vale Bob’s primary area of practice is wealth preservation, asset protection, trust and estate administration and working with families to transition real property from parents to children without assessment. Clients Individuals | Families | Family and Businesses | Trustees | Successor Trustees | Executors and Beneficiaries of Decedent”s Estates Professional Summary Bob received his undergraduate degree at the University at California at Davis in 1976 and earned his M.B.A. from the University of Santa Clara in 1979. Bob earned his law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1982. He obtained a Masters of Law in Taxation in 2001 from Golden Gate University. Bob is active in the County Bar where he has served as a member on various Bar Committees including as Chair of the Lawyer Referral Committee. He is an active member of the County Bar’s Estate Planning and Probate Section having co-founded the County Bar’s Elder Law Section aimed at providing local attorneys with an array of resources when dealing with elder law issues. He is a member of WealthCounsel, a nationwide group of attorneys dedicated to expanding the knowledge of its attorney members, the Peninsula Estate Planning Council where he serves as a board member and he is a charter member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners. He is a member and past President of the Peninsula Estate Planning Counsel. Bob has volunteered time as a pro bono attorney to the San Mateo County Legal Aid Society. Bob and the other members of the firm recognize the importance of service to the firm’s clients and to the community. Bob’s publications include: Of Hearts and Minds (Guardians and Trustees) ; Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs ; Planning Strategies for Grandparents ; A Will or a Trust, that is the Question . He has also co-authored a book – What to do When a Loved One Dies. He has lectured extensively, have taught law school courses in corporations and presented on numerous estate planning topics. Bob’s awards and recognition include: William Nagle, Jr. Award for his service to the County Bar Association, the Dorothy Wolf Award for volunteer work with the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, and numerous San Mateo County Superior Court Commendations for Service as Judge Pro Tem for Settlement Conferences and Small Claims Appeals. In addition to maintaining an active law practice, Bob shares time with his wife, Chris, and their son, Harry. Family activities include hiking, gardening, crew and volunteer work in support of the environment and an improved society. Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 LinkedIn Avvo Wealth Counsel Robert's vCard Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Shareholders Jennifer A. Emmaneel Roxanne T. Jen David S. Rosenbaum Attorneys Robert "Bob" Vale Karishma Patel W. Ethan McCallum Ernesto Sanchez Logan Walter Winston Duggan Jaqueline Mejia Patrick Smith Team Erin Cornelisen Alexandra Gaspar Martha P. Brosnan Michele McKenna Lonan W. Tetting Michelle Galan What Does It Mean To Hire A Community? At McDowall Cotter, when you hire us, it means you benefit not just from one attorney but from a team of attorneys, paralegals and client service specialists who are devoted to your success and well-being. Our team offers a wealth of knowledge, experience and tried and tested procedures that have been refined and implemented successfully over decades in courtrooms and boardrooms on behalf of our network of esteemed clientele. This is what you can expect from an organization whose roots in the community and in the practice of law go back half a century. We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE DNR Form | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page DNR Form G Do Not Resuscitate Form DNR Form – External Link We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Business Services | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Business Services G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Whether the case involves a breach of contract, an employer/employee dispute, or any other lawsuit where the fight is about money, our trial attorneys know how to use the rules of procedure and evidence to your favor. They understand the costs of litigation and will craft a targeted plan to obtain the information needed in order to promptly analyze the nature and complexity of the dispute in an effort to reach a reasonable settlement and control costs.   Employment Counseling and Litigation The hardest part of being an employer is having employees. The California Labor Code is a labyrinth seemingly designed for employees to never find their way out. McDowall Cotter attorneys are guides through this maze. Instead of stumbling over the traps of wage and hour, exempt or non-exempt, vacation, sick leave, independent contractors, discrimination, ADA, or retaliation, our lawyers steer you around the snares that lead to later lawsuits. Although our goal is to prevent losses before they occur, if an employee decides to make a claim with the Labor Board or file a lawsuit, our trial attorneys are there to defend you through the process. We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Jazz Legaspi | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Jazz Legaspi Paralegal Jazz Legaspi joined McDowall Cotter in 2022 as a Civil Litigation Paralegal. Jazz takes pride in creating quality connection with clients and enjoys all phases of the litigation process, particularly preparing cases for trial. Jazz has previously served as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal for an award-winning personal injury firm in Berkeley, CA. He has experience dealing with car accident, truck accident, traumatic brain injury, premises liability/slip & fall, pedestrian accident, motorcycle accident, medical malpractice, assault, civil defense, family law and insurance bad faith types of cases in addition to other tort law matters. He has assisted in preparing multiple cases for trial. Jazz graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise and Movement Science from San Francisco State University. Jazz enjoys spending time with his family, trying local mom and pop restaurant, taking dance classes, spending time with his Corgi and creating entertaining dance pieces for his color guard students.   Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834   Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Insurance Defense | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Insurance Defense G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation For more than half a century, McDowall Cotter, based in San Mateo, has represented insurance companies and their policy holders against accusations of negligence, omission, product defects, even defamation. So at the very least you can be assured that when you hire McDowall Cotter you hire a firm that understands and appreciates the meaning of process. We know how to follow company guidelines, how to allocate resources and budget a case, how to spot a non-meritorious lawsuit, how to try a case effectively and efficiently, and how to close a case. But there’s another reason to engage McDowall Cotter for your insurance defense needs. We understand the meaning of advocacy, and we are tireless defenders of the insurance industry’s way of doing business. If you are in the San Francisco Peninsula, South Bay, Alameda County and would require more information on insurance defense, our highly knowledgeable lawyers are here to help you and answer any questions. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Probate & Trust Litigation | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Probate & Trust Administration G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Probate and trust disputes can be among life’s most challenging experiences. Based out of San Mateo, and serving the Greater San Francisco Bay Area for over five decades, McDowall Cotter attorneys combine expertise and compassion to help you through them. Estate Administration does not always go as planned. When you consider the intricate nature of many personal estate plans alongside the fact that occasionally they are drafted by well-intentioned but nonetheless inexperienced laypersons, it is not surprising that estate administration does not always go as one might wish. Spouses are asked to defend the validity of wills over which they have control. Trustees are deemed less trustworthy than their titles would imply. Estate plan language that initially seemed incontrovertible turns out, upon closer inspection, to be incomprehensible. Assets are suddenly impossible to trace. In situations such as these. McDowall Cotter’s litigation team offers not only expertise and compassion but also perspective drawn from close association with our own Estate Planning & Wealth Preservation attorneys. If you are based in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…) and San Francisco, and find yourself facing a Probate or are getting caught up in a trust dispute situation, please feel free to schedule a consultation with our attorneys at McDowall Cotter. Our team of dedicated lawyers handle breach of trust actions, will contests, and other probate litigation with just the right mix of empathy and advocacy. Some of our legal services include: Creditors Claims (both on behalf of creditors and defense against claims) Defense of Trustees and Executors accused of having breached their duties Removal of Trustees and Executors and defense against motions for removal Partition of real property interests Will and Trust Contests based upon claims of undue influence and questions of capacity Elder Abuse Claims Determination of spousal property interests Title and ownership issues concerning real estate and other investments Distribution of assets among beneficiaries Surcharge and reimbursement claims Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Ernesto Sanchez | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Ernesto Sanchez Ernesto Sanchez is a civil litigation attorney and began practicing law in California on November 28, 2011. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Human Communications from California State University, Monterey Bay in 2000. Ernesto graduated from New College of California School of Law in 2004. Prior to joining McDowall Cotter, Ernesto was an attorney with Liberation Law Group, P.C., an employment law firm located in San Francisco, California. While at Liberation Law Group, Ernesto worked with clients to pursue claims informally and through litigation. Ernesto also speaks Spanish fluently. As an Associate Attorney with McDowall Cotter, Ernesto brings a wealth of experience handling all facets of civil litigation and use of alternative dispute resolution process. Ernesto is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association and Santa Clara County Bar Association. Ernesto looks forward to getting involved with the San Mateo County Bar Association and Association of Defense Counsel. During his free time, Ernesto enjoys spending time with his children, running, hiking, cycling, and practicing the cello when time permits.   Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law | Civil Litigation, Business Services, Wealth Preservation - San Mateo, California Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate & Litigation Attorneys   A common-sense approach to the practice of law.  Wide Range of Expertise Our portfolio of work includes estate planning, trust administration and probate, business counseling, wealth preservation, dispute resolution, litigation and appeals, among others.  We Can Represent You We represent small to mid-sized businesses, enterprise corporations, partition referees, state and local governments, families and individuals. If you need legal counsel, our highly collaborative and accomplished team of legal experts can certainly assist you.  Outstanding Professionalism Our distinctive customer- centric approach provides you exceptional legal representation tailored to your specific need. Contact Us Have any questions? We would love to hear from you. Please send us a note or give us a call! Contact Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Community Service | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Community Service G COMMUNITY SERVICE Since its inception, McDowall Cotter has been active in the community. We provide pro bono and low-cost services to organizations and individuals in need. Our lawyers serve as directors on the boards of numerous local non-profits, and our entire staff devotes every fifth Thursday to community volunteer work. As an organization, we believe in a strategic balance between work, family, and community. Our service activities are a critical part of that mix. McDowall Cotter supports the following community organizations by donating time and resources: – StarVista – Legal Aid Society – Judge Pro Tem for the San Mateo County Superior Court – Educational Events for the Community – Blood Centers of the Pacific We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Estate Plan Quiz | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Estate Plan Quiz G Do you have a current Will or Trust in place? Yes No Don’t Know Do you have a current Financial Power of Attorney? Yes No Don’t Know Do you have an Advance Healthcare Directive (a.k.a. Living Will)? Yes No Don’t Know Has your current Estate Plan been reviewed in the last five years? Yes No Don’t Know Does your current Estate Plan contain a customized definition to determine whether you are mentally incapacitated? Yes No Don’t Know Does your current Estate Plan give instructions for your care and the care of your loved ones in the event of your incapacity? Yes No Don’t Know Are you certain your current Estate Plan will minimize possible death taxes: including taxes on your home, life insurance and IRA’s? Yes No Don’t Know Is your current Living Trust fully funded so that your estate will not be subject to probate? Yes No Don’t Know Have you taken steps to avoid possible will contests and disputes during the administration of your estate upon your death? Yes No Don’t Know Does your current plan protect your children’s inheritance… In the event your surviving spouse chooses to remarry? Yes No Don’t Know From creditors? Yes No Don’t Know From Lawsuits? Yes No Don’t Know From a Child’s divorcing spouse? Yes No Don’t Know Does your current Estate Plan protect assets passed to your surviving spouse? In the event your surviving spouse chooses to remarry? Yes No Don’t Know From creditors? Yes No Don’t Know From lawsuits? Yes No Don’t Know Have you recently checked the beneficiary designations of your retirement plans, life insurance policies, and annuities? Yes No Don’t Know Does your current Estate Plan name guardians for your minor children? Yes No Don’t Know Is each person identified in your Estate Plan to carry out your wishes willing and able to do so? Yes No Don’t Know Good job in keeping your comprehensive estate plan up to date. We recommend that you continue to keep your comprehensive plan up to date by reviewing it annually, updating your plan with the changes in your life and consulting with an attorney on a regular basis. Your Estate Plan may not be comprehensive and could possibly use some updating. We recommend that you consult with an attorney to insure that your Estate Plan is comprehensive and up to date. Your Estate Plan appears to be out of date. Please schedule an appointment with McDowall Cotter, APC, to review the plan as soon as possible. If you would like to talk to one of our attorneys, please complete the following form, and we will contact you to schedule an appointment. Name (required) Email (required) Phone Message We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Alexandra Gaspar | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Alexandra Gaspar Paralegal Alexandra joined McDowall Cotter in October 2015. Since then, her journey with McDowall Cotter has been one of growth and learning. As our Paralegal, Alexandra brings in a diverse wealth of experience to the firm. She had previously supported the attorneys in overseeing the day to day file handling throughout the Estate Planning process. Alexandra is currently supporting the attorneys in handling the Trust Administration and Probate process. Her attention to detail, exemplary planning and organizational skills make her an invaluable member here at McDowall Cotter. She holds a B.S. in Administrative Sciences and a B.S. and Master’s degree in Economics. When Alexandra is not working, she loves to cook and bake, and enjoys going on camping trips with her family. Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 LinkedIn Alexandra's vCard Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE W. Ethan McCallum | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page W. Ethan McCallum Professional Summary Ethan McCallum is a civil litigation attorney and began practicing law in California on June 5th, 2020. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with an English minor from Chapman University in 2015. Ethan graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2018 where he earned a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Advanced Legal Research. During law school, Ethan interned with Judge Towery at the Santa Clara County Superior Court before he was hired as a law clerk with the Costanzo Law Firm, a boutique employment and civil litigation firm. In this role, Ethan worked with clients directly to pursue and defend against claims informally and through litigation when necessary. As an associate attorney with McDowall Cotter, Ethan advocates for his client’s best interests across a variety of issues and in all stages of litigation, including, but not limited to, discovery, depositions, law and motion, alternative dispute resolution, and trial. Ethan looks forward to getting involved with the San Mateo County Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Association, Association of Defense Counsel, and more. Ethan has a passion for community service and was recognized by the Center for Social Justice and Public Service at Santa Clara University School of Law for his volunteer work. During his free time, he enjoys going on road trips and sailing adventures with his long-time girlfriend, as well as skiing and boating excursions with his friends. He also enjoys working on cars, cooking, and reading Stephen King and John Grisham novels.             Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834   Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE About Us | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page About Us ; w We Are Here For You You will find in us a consultative partner ready to navigate through complex legal matters.  Understanding The Law Our grasp of the law is unparalleled and our team of Subject Matter Experts will be working round the clock until the desired results are delivered.  Problem Solvers We are creative thinkers with a “can-do” attitude and thrive at unraveling the most difficult challenges.  Customer Support Our client centric approach guarantees high impact and an exceptional level of value added services.   Our Story McDowall Cotter has served clients in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for more than half a century. In that time, we have established a reputation, in the courts and in the community, for ingenuity, integrity and a common-sense approach to the practice of law. Our expertise ranges widely, from business counsel to wealth preservation to dispute resolution and litigation. All of our services are rooted in a thorough understanding of the law, extensive experience with trials and appeals, and a longstanding commitment to protecting not only our clients’ interests but also their peace of mind. We represent corporations, state and local governments, businesses of all description, families, and individuals. We are cost-conscious and process-driven. Clients receive concierge-level service from seasoned attorneys, paralegals, and client service specialists, all of whom employ the most advanced and secure technologies available. It has been said that in some ways we are an old-fashioned law firm. We believe in civility, value long-term relationships, cultivate a healthy work environment and provide the highest quality legal representation in matters large and small. And we agree — we are old-fashioned, but then again we’ve been old-fashioned for more than fifty years and still somehow we remain ahead of our time.   Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Shareholder Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Shareholder David S. Rosenbaum Shareholder We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Insurance Coverage | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Insurance Coverage G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation An insurance policy is a contract, and therefore, like all contracts, open to interpretation. McDowall Cotter routinely provides such interpretation in the form of coverage opinions. We understand the anatomy of insurance policies and which provisions tend to cause trouble for their issuers. If you are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and are looking to get advice and understand the structure of insurance policies and insurance coverage, our well-informed lawyers are here to help. Located in San Mateo, our law firm has assisted clients in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…). Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Employer/Employee Relations | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Employer/Employee Relations G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation In the San Francisco Bay Area and in the Silicon Valley, companies are often required to hire business attorneys to help them with employment counseling and litigation. In the same way that good fences make good neighbors, a clear understanding of the laws governing employment makes for satisfying relationships between employers and the people they employ. Our San Mateo Law Firm specializes in helping you develop that understanding and in giving it meaningful, legally defensible form. Our services include, but are not limited to, preparation of letters offering employment, creation of employee handbooks, job description reviews and assessments of actual job activities—the latter with an eye toward determining how particular employees should be classified: salaried or commissioned (and therefore exempt from federal and state overtime requirements), hourly or as independent contractors. We provide many of these services for a fixed fee, which includes unlimited phone consultation. Our attorneys have experience with the California Labor Code and have helped employers understand the rights and the responsibilities involved in providing employment in the state of California. We have worked with companies in the San Francisco Peninsula (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara..), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…) and San Francisco. Our experienced attorneys at McDowall Cotter protect people on both sides of the employment equation. Employees benefit from rules that guard against discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination, while ensuring a safe workplace, adequate breaks, and family and medical leave. Employers benefit from a clear set of guidelines, which if understood and followed conscientiously, shield them from the loss of assets that can occur when employees or ex-employees bring a lawsuit. McDowall Cotter also assists in managing employee termination. Because termination can be an emotionally charged event, it occasionally results in legal action. While we cannot prevent a disgruntled former employee from bringing suit, we can ensure that your contracts and procedures are in order and that you appear in the best possible light once you’re in front of a judge or jury. For more on this topic, please see Civil Litigation/Employment Disputes . Do you have questions regarding employment law or employer/employee dispute? Schedule a consultation with our employment attorneys or trial attorneys at 650-572-7933 or contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE History | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page History When William Nagle and Vernon Vale started McDowall Cotter, APC, at a time when the rhythmic clatter of typewriters filled legal offices. Much has changed since then, yet much has remained the same. Our core business, for instance: civil litigation, business counseling and wealth preservation. These were among the areas of proficiency our founders brought to the table in 1953 and they remain central to our practice today. In the mid 1960s, when William McDowall joined Nagle & Vale, he brought with him State Farm Insurance and a new emphasis on insurance defense litigation. Bernard Cotter’s partnership with William McDowall, established in 1965, continued to emphasize civil litigation, business counseling and wealth preservation, while expanding our insurance industry clientele to include the Progressive Insurance Company and the California State Automobile Association. More recently, the notoriety of the firm’s estate planning and wealth preservation group, under the guidance of Vernon Vale’s son, Robert Vale, has grown among individuals and business clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2006, Bernard Cotter and William McDowall assumed an “of counsel” relationship with the firm, handing the reins to Robert Vale and David Rosenbaum. In 2007, wealth preservation, litigation and tax expert Brett Lytle came on board as a partner. McDowall Cotter continues to combine excellent civil litigation, business counseling and wealth preservation services with the same commonsense approach to the law for which it’s been known for more than half a century. With their office based in San Mateo, McDowall Cotter, APC, serves the community with various pro-bono activities, provides continuing education to fellow attorneys and business persons, and remains active in numerous associations, including the San Mateo County Bar. We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Succession Planning and Exit Strategies | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Succession Planning and Exit Strategies G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Even a cursory glance at the literature on business succession reveals gory statistics: fifty percent of small businesses survive only five years; thirty percent of family owned businesses don’t make it to the next generation. It’s enough to discourage even the most entrepreneurial intrepid among us. And yet people do establish businesses. They form corporations and partnerships and limited liability companies, and many of them even foresee the day when their business, or at least their participation in it, will change or come to an end. Many of these people develop succession plans and exit strategies, and we at McDowall Cotter, a San Mateo based law firm, are here to help them. Succession plans and exit strategies anticipate life’s inevitable changes. The partners with whom you developed the idea that made you a small fortune (or even a large one) would find a new passion and simply want out. Or perhaps it’s you who is tiring of the daily grind but wish to keep your share of the business in the family by passing it on to your children. Maybe there’s divorce or someone passes away. Stranger things have happened. Succession planning and exit strategies that are put in place before such events occur ensure smooth transitions and equitable financial settlements for everyone involved. If you are in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…) and would require more information on succession planning and exit strategies, our team of dedicated lawyers are available to provide you with guidance. McDowall Cotter is a San Mateo based law firm and has served clients in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for more than half a century. In that time, we have established a reputation, in the courts and in the community, for ingenuity, integrity and a common-sense approach to the practice of law. Our knowledge of law ranges widely from business counsel to wealth preservation to dispute resolution and litigation. All of our services are rooted in a thorough understanding of the law, extensive experience with trials and appeals, and a longstanding commitment to protecting not only our clients’ interests but also their peace of mind. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Martha Brosnan | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Martha P. Brosnan Paralegal Martha Brosnan joined McDowall Cotter in December 2020. Since then, Martha assisted clients as a Client Services Coordinator, Legal Assistant, and currently supports our attorneys as a Paralegal. She looks forward to helping clients accomplish their estate planning goals Prior to working with McDowall Cotter, Martha enjoyed assisting Attorney Roxanne T. Jen for several years to help individuals, families, and corporations in matters pertaining to trust and estate planning. Prior to that, Martha obtained a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, double majoring at San Diego State University. Martha is excited to contribute and further develop her analytical and technological skills as an effective communicator for McDowall Cotter. In her free time, Martha loves spending time with her family and fulfilling her passion for the arts, enjoying movies, dance performances, and musicals! Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834   Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Karishma Patel, Esq. | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Karishma Patel Karishma received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California San Diego in 2013. She graduated from University of San Francisco School of Law, where she graduated with a Certificate in Business Law and received a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Wills and Trusts. Karishma’s practice includes counseling individuals, families and businesses in estate planning, business planning, wealth preservation, wealth transfer and asset preservation relating to her clients’ goals for the care of their loved ones and the management and transfer of the their wealth to the following generations. Karishma also speaks Gujarati fluently. When Karishma is away from her desk, she enjoys spending her free time volunteering in the community, cooking, spending time with family and friends, traveling, hiking and working out. Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Presentations | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page McDowall Cotter, APC provides ongoing complimentary educational and professional training workshops and we are happy to come to you to present on any of these topics. McDowall Cotter offers various CLE credits such as CFP, MCLE, EA, CPA, and LIFE for our in-person presentations. For more information on these workshops, please see our Events Calendar . If you have any suggestions on topics that you would like to see covered in the future, we always solicit your input and feedback. Listed below are our copies of our recorded vlogs.   McDowall Cotter’s Recorded Vlogs of 2022: The ABC’s of Estate Planning with Bob Vale, Esq., Karishma Patel, Esq., and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Avoiding Wage and Hour Lawsuits with David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. and W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. The Importance of Advance Health Care Directives with Karishma Patel, Esq. and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Planning for the College Bound Kid with Bob Vale, Esq., Karishma Patel, Esq., and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Let’s Talk About Business Entities with Bob Vale, Esq., Karishma Patel, Esq., and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. What to do When a Loved One is Alive but Not Well with Bob Vale, Esq. and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Why All Successful Businesses Need a Written Business Plan with David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. What we Parents Worry About – Keeping In-Laws from Becoming Out-Laws with Guest Speaker Joanna Wald, Esq. with Bob Vale, Esq., Roxanne T. Jen, and Karishma Patel, Esq. Keeping Trustees Out of Lawsuits with David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. McDowall Cotter’s Recorded Vlogs of 2021: Episode One: Keeping Trustees and Executors Out of Lawsuits with David Rosenbaum, Esq and Roxanne Jen, Esq. What to do When a Loved One is Alive but Not Well with Bob Vale, Esq and Karishma Patel, Esq. Episode Two: Lawsuits About Trusts and Wills – Part One with David Rosenbaum, Esq and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Post Proposition 19 Updates with Roxanne T. Jen, Esq and Karishma Patel, Esq. Episode Three: Lawsuits About Trusts and Wills – Part Two with David Rosenbaum, Esq and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq Taxes, Taxes, Taxes with Bob Vale, Esq., Karishma Patel, Esq., and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. The Importance of Advance Health Care Directives: Part One with Bob Vale, Esq. and Karishma Patel, Esq. 18 and Off to College! Preparing for the College Bound Kid with Karishma Patel, Esq. and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Episode Four: Prudent Investor Rule with David Rosenbaum, Esq. and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Truths and Myths About Estate Planning with Karishma Patel, Esq and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Episode Five: How Much Do I Really Have to Tell Them with David Rosenbaum, Esq. and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. What we Parents Worry About – Keeping In-Laws from Becoming Out-Laws with Bob Vale, Esq. and Karishma Patel, Esq. Post Proposition 19 – Amelioration and Work-Arounds with Bob Vale, Esq., Karishma Patel, Esq., and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. What to do When a Loved One is Alive but Not Well with Bob Vale, Esq. and Karishma Patel, Esq. Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs with Bob Vale, Esq. and Karishma Patel, Esq. Episode Seven: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished with David Rosenbaum, Esq. and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Advance Health Care Directives – Everyone over 18 needs one with Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. and Karishma Patel, Esq. Post-Proposition 19 – Amelioration and Work-Arounds with Bob Vale, Esq., Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. and Karishma Patel, Esq. Episode Eight: Does the Trustee Have Any Powers? with David Rosenbaum, Esq. and Karishma Patel, Esq. What to do When a Loved One Dies with Bob Vale, Esq., Karishma Patel, Esq. and Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. Elders in Crisis with Bob Vale, Esq. and Karishma Patel, Esq   DISCLAIMER: Nothing in these presentations should be interpreted as legal advice. These presentations are intended to help a person to understand the area of law to help ask the right questions with the attorney of their choice. Your time to act may be very limited and this could substantially reduce your rights and options. YOU CANNOT rely on anything contained here in. These information are not intended to substitute for professional legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should accept legal advice only from a licensed legal professional with whom you have an attorney-client relationship. You should contact a lawyer in your area immediately, to assist you in any of these matters. Circular 230 Disclosure: Pursuant to recently-enacted U.S. Treasury Department Regulations, we are now required to advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained in this communication, including attachments and enclosures, is not intended or written to be used, and may not be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.   If you have questions please contact us here .     Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Probate and Trust Litigation | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Probate and Trust Litigation G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation When you consider the intricate nature of many personal estate plans alongside the fact that occasionally they are drafted by well-intentioned but nonetheless inexperienced laypersons, it is not surprising that estate administration does not always go as one might wish. Spouses are asked to defend the validity of wills over which they have control. Trustees are deemed less trustworthy than their titles would imply. Estate plan language that initially seemed incontrovertible turns out, upon closer inspection, to be incomprehensible. Assets are suddenly impossible to trace. What is Probate? Probate is a certificate issued by the court that verifies if the will of a deceased is legally valid and whether the executors appointed under the will are authorized to administer his or her estate. This court-administered process can be time-consuming, costly, and is necessarily a matter of public record. What is Trust Litigation? A Trust Litigation is essentially a trust designed for the benefit of creditors of a debtor in order to prosecute and distribute the proceeds belonging to the debtor that are transferred to the litigation trust as part of the bankruptcy plan. If you are based in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…) and San Francisco, and find yourself in situations such as these, McDowall Cotter’s litigation team offers not only expertise and compassion but also perspective drawn from close association with our own Estate Planning & Wealth Preservation attorneys. Our team of lawyers at our San Mateo law firm have decades of experience handling breach of trust actions, will contests, and other probate litigation with just the right mix of empathy and advocacy. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Mission – Philosophy | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Mission/Philosophy Our Philosophy and Mission McDowall Cotter delivers exemplary legal services that are personalized, effective, and efficient. Legal matters can be confusing and intimidating; we are always there to usher our clients through the intricacies of law and work hand in hand with our clients to provide a range of services that deliver amazing results. We pride ourselves in our expertise in law along with our commitment and dedication to the welfare of our clients. We are creative in our customer- focused, tailored solutions and work tirelessly on behalf of our clients with utmost care, attention, respect and professionalism. While we embrace technology, a one- on- one client-customer relationship is quintessential to our success. We have witnessed over the years the myriad ways in which technology increases efficiency, reduces costs, and facilitates communication. We avail ourselves of technology in just those ways. We have also learned that technology is no substitute for personal relationships and that often the best legal advice is the result of simple conversations between client and attorney. At McDowall Cotter, we incorporate such conversations as routine and bring a human element to the practice of law. McDowall Cotter’s distinctive culture draws the tremendous strength of its diverse and highly accomplished team of collaborative legal experts. When you hire McDowall Cotter you hire a community, one that is committed to an excellent well-rounded experience for you. The experience begins with a warm-hearted greeting at the doors of our centrally located offices and ends with a positive outcome at an affordable price. We make your concerns our own and work diligently with you until they are resolved. We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Michele McKenna | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Michele McKenna Trust Administration Paralegal Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Asset Protection | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Asset Protection G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Based out of San Mateo, at McDowall Cotter, our team of lawyers have had years of experience is asset protection. Typically, asset protection involves the transfer of assets from an unprotected form of ownership, such as direct individual ownership, to a protected one. Limited liability companies (LLC’s), limited partnerships, corporations (“C” and “S”), charitable remainder trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, domestic asset protection trusts and/or offshore asset protection trusts are all good examples of the latter. Two factors help ensure the ultimate success of asset protection. First, asset protection must be preemptive. If there is a lawsuit already in the works, it is usually too late to reorganize. State laws frown upon individuals who transfer their assets out of their names with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud creditors. And second, asset protection must be part of a comprehensive wealth preservation strategy, one that integrates estate and financial planning with long-term strategic goals. If you are a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, McDowall Cotter’s wealth preservation and estate planning attorneys will help you organize your assets in ways that anticipate risk and guard against exposure. Located in San Mateo, our law firm has assisted clients seeking asset protection within San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Burlingame, Redwood City, Redwood Shores or within Alameda County or Santa Clara County. About McDowall Cotter, APC: McDowall Cotter based in San Mateo has served clients in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for more than half a century. In that time, we have established a reputation in the courts and in the community, for ingenuity, integrity and a common-sense approach to the practice of law. Our knowledge of law ranges widely from business counsel to wealth preservation to dispute resolution and litigation. All of our services are rooted in a thorough understanding of the law, extensive experience with trials and appeals, and a longstanding commitment to protecting not only our clients’ interests but also their peace of mind. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Contract Disputes | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Contract Disputes G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation The exchange of goods and services in return for payment can be complicated. Contracts are meant to mitigate complications by providing legally binding promises that can be enforced, if necessary, by a court of law. McDowall Cotter is accustomed to representing parties on either end of a contractual dispute. Whether you are suing someone for breach of contract or being sued for same, we can help you achieve a favorable resolution. If you are in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…) and would require more information on contract disputes, our highly knowledgeable lawyers are here to help you and answer any questions. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Correy Bernal | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Correy Bernal Operations Manager Correy joined McDowall Cotter October 2022 in the Finance Department. Since then, she has grown into the role of Operations Manager. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Management from Saint Mary’s College of California, and an Accounting Assistant Certificate of Specialization from College of San Mateo. Outside of work, Correy enjoys hiking, reading and spending time with her family and friends. Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Roxanne T. Jen Roxanne’s primary area of practice is wealth preservation, asset protection, trust and estate administration and working with families to transition wealth from parents to children. Clients Individuals | Families | Family and Businesses | Trustees | Successor Trustees | Executors and Beneficiaries of Decedent’s Estates Professional Summary Roxanne received her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington in 2003 and earned her law degree and M.B.A. degree from the Seattle University School of Law and the Albers School of Business and Economics in 2008. She became certified by the State Bar of California as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law in 2016. She is an active member of the State Bar of California and the Washington State Bar Association. Roxanne is also active in the San Mateo County Bar Association where she has served as a member on various Bar Committees including as Chair of the Barrister’s Section the Lawyer Referral Committee. She is an active member of the County Bar’s Estate Planning and Probate Section and she is a member of WealthCounsel. Roxanne has volunteered time as a pro bono attorney to the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. Roxanne and the other members of the firm recognize the importance of service to the firm’s clients and to the community. She is also fluent in Mandarin-Chinese and Cantonese. In addition to maintaining an active law practice, Roxanne spends time with her husband, Bobby, and their sons. Family activities include hiking, reading, and cooking. Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Wealth Transfer | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Wealth Transfer G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Taxation almost always accompanies the transfer of wealth. However, which of your assets are taxed, when they are taxed, and the rate at which they are taxed are to some degree within your control. Take, for example, planned giving. During your lifetime, you, in your capacity as “donor,” are entitled to give away cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, and business interest without incurring a “gift tax,” so long as the cumulative value of the gifts to any one person (US citizen spouses and charities excluded) do not exceed the per-recipient annual exclusion amount of $15,000 (in 2018). Moreover, while gifts by US citizens or resident aliens in amounts over $15,000 to persons other than US citizen spouses or charities require the filing of a gift tax return, gifts up to gift/estate tax exemption amount of $11,180,000.00 (for 2018) can be made without incurring a gift tax. The per-donor lifetime gift/inheritance tax exemption however, is considered part of your estate, and will therefore eventually influence your estate tax in the following way: Each decedent has a unified credit exemption from the estate tax, unless that exemption is used to exempt gifts made during your lifetime. All assets whose value exceeds that federal unified credit exemption are taxed at fairly high rates upon your death. These exemptions apply to US citizens and resident aliens in San Mateo County. So, if your thoughts about estate planning include gifts to others this year, feel free to contact the lawyers at McDowall Cotter for further information about lifetime gifting strategies through revocable living trusts, wills, charitable remainder trusts, and other estate planning techniques. We can also assist with lifetime estate planning through the use of Advance Healthcare Directives and Powers of Attorney for Finances. There are numerous ways to discount the annual and lifetime gift tax exclusion so that your loved ones receive an amount greater than the market value of the gifts. These include the formation of irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), limited liability companies (LLCs), and family limited partnerships (FLPs). There are also many ways to influence the estate tax. if you are based in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…) and would require more information on taxation and wealth transfer, our team of dedicated lawyers are available to provide you with guidance. At McDowall Cotter, we create comprehensive wealth preservation and transfer plans that help you mitigate taxation and maximize family wealth. McDowall Cotter is a San Mateo based law firm and has served clients in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for more than half a century. In that time, we have established a reputation, in the courts and in the community, for ingenuity, integrity and a common-sense approach to the practice of law. Our knowledge of law ranges widely from business counsel to wealth preservation to dispute resolution and litigation. All of our services are rooted in a thorough understanding of the law, extensive experience with trials and appeals, and a longstanding commitment to protecting not only our clients’ interests but also their peace of mind. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Estate Planning Tools | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Estate Planning Tools G >> Advance Health Care Directive (pdf download) >> HIPAA Authorization (pdf download) >> POLST Form (external link) >> DNR Form (external link) >> Estate Plan Quiz We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Wealth Preservation | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Wealth Preservation G At McDowall Cotter, we will work with you to build a comprehensive estate plan that’s right for you today in addition to future legal guidance that will safeguard you from changes that could lead to probate tomorrow. Our comprehensive estate planning process includes planning for incapacity without probate, and consultations for making well-reasoned decisions whether you are married, have children, are single, or are part of a blended family. Our goal is to provide you with an estate plan that provides for dignity and privacy in the event of incapacity and provides for the efficient and Our comprehensive estate planning process includes planning for incapacity without probate, and consultations for making well-reasoned decisions whether you are married, have children, are single, or are part of a blended family. Our goal is to provide you with an estate plan that provides for dignity and privacy in the event of incapacity and provides for the efficient and cost effective transfer estate assets in the event of death. Wealth Preservation Planning begins with an overall analysis of your personal business plans and goals to determine the most advantageous strategy for wealth preservation and business succession. We then organize your assets in ways that anticipate risk and guard against its exposure. This typically involves the transfer of assets from an unprotected form of ownership to protected options such as Limited Liability Companies (LLC’s), Corporations or Irrevocable Trusts. We then provide guidance that ensures compliance with the laws that govern your plans and assets. We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Jennifer A. Emmaneel Jennifer Emmaneel is a civil defense trial attorney with extensive experience in the areas of public entity representation, trust and estate litigation, complex litigation, construction defect disputes, business and personal injury litigation, appellate work, and partition referee representation. Jennifer participates in all aspects of litigation, including discovery, law and motion, dispute resolution, trial, and appeals. Clients Trustees/Executors, Business, Public Entities, General and Sub-Contractors, Insurance Company Policy Holders, Homeowners, Partition Referees Professional Summary Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Pre-Law from CSU, Chico, and later earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Golden Gate University School of Law. In addition to her law practice, Jennifer has taught legal writing and research and moot court at UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. Jennifer frequently speaks to fellow attorneys, insurance companies and industry trade groups on a variety of topics. Her most recent speaking engagements include “Design Immunity as a Form of Loss Control”, “Dangerous Conditions: What Every Public Entity Needs to Know”, “MSJ to Published Opinion, Building the Record of Thimon v. City of Newark”, “Preparing Motions for Summary Judgment/Adjudication” and “Bow Wow Meow: Planning for Our Beloved Pets”. Representative Engagements include Thimon v. City of Newark (2020) 44 Cal.App.5th 745 (Court of Appeal upheld the trial court’s grant of summary judgment for McDowall Cotter APC client, City of Newark holding that a particular crosswalk was not a dangerous condition of public property). Jennifer’s publications include: Hiding Behind Policy: Confusing Compensations with Indemnification, 30 Golden Gate U.L. Rev. 637 (2000); Beyond Wrongful Adoption: Expanding Adoption Agency Liability to Include a Duty to Investigate and a Duty to Warn, 29 Golden Gate U.L. Rev. 181 (1999). An advocate for advancing women and increasing diversity in the legal profession, Jennifer is currently an active board member of the San Mateo County Bar Association’s Women Lawyers Section, as well as a member of the California Women Lawyers’ Gender Equity Task Force, the San Mateo County Bar Association’s and Social Justice Task Force, and the Association of Defense Counsel’s Diversity Committee. Jennifer is also a member of the San Mateo County Bar Association’s Publications Committee and Nominations Committee. When Jennifer is away from the firm, she enjoys playing roller derby, roller skating (quads, not inline!), and participating in Spartan races. She also serves on Peninsula Roller Derby’s Board of Directors and volunteers for local non-profit organizations Cat Town and Project Bay Cat. Contact Information [email protected] T: 650-572-7933 F: 650-572-0834 Jennifer's vCard Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Mechanics Liens | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Mechanics Liens G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Contractors, subcontractors, persons furnishing materials, artisans, and laborers who are not paid as promised for their work are entitled to put a lien on property on which they have bestowed labor or furnished materials. The value of the so-called “mechanic’s lien” is that of the labor performed and/or the materials furnished. In the state of California, the mechanic’s lien is constitutionally guaranteed. However, there are specific procedures and tight deadlines involved in filing suit and enforcing liens, so attorneys familiar with the mechanic’s lien are indispensable. If you are in the San Francisco Peninsula, South Bay, Alameda County, and San Francisco and would need advocacy – whether you are placing a lien or defending yourself against one, McDowall Cotter law firm based out of San Mateo can provide the representation you need to succeed. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Public Entity Defense | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Public Entity Defense G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Institutions that are owned and operated by governments are large targets. It is not uncommon for citizens to claim injury due to faulty sidewalks, crosswalks, roadways, facilities, and parks. Sometimes a fleet vehicle or bus is involved in an accident. Occasionally, police officers are accused of civil rights violations. Over the past four decades, McDowall Cotter has represented the majority of The Peninsula’s cities against such claims, saving municipalities millions of taxpayer dollars in the process. If you are in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…), and San Francisco, and would require more information on public entity defense, our highly knowledgeable team of litigation lawyers at our San Mateo law firm have decades of experience and are here to help you and answer any questions with just the right mix of empathy and advocacy. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Advance Health Care Directive | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Advance Health Care Directive G Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) document performs three important functions: First, the Directive identifies health-care agents who are to make health-care decisions for you if you are unable to make those decisions. Secondly, the Directive specifies your wishes in the event you are in a terminal condition and are unable to voice your wishes regarding your continued health-care. Finally, the AHCD allows you to elect to be an organ donor. >>Advance Health Care Directive We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Articles Summary | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Articles G Use of Requests for Admissions and Requests for Genuineness of Documents Article , Civil Litigation Use of Requests for Admissions and Requests for Genuineness of Documents A sometimes underused discovery tool is Code of Civil Procedure §§2033.010 et seq., otherwise known as Requests for Admissions (RFA) and Requests for Genuineness of Documents. How Many May Be... read more Final Advance Health Care Planning Resources Announcements , Article , Blog , Estate Planning Final Advance Health Care Planning Resources from MyCareMyPlan: Speak Up Sonoma County. To download and view this handout, please click here. read more Advance Health Care Directives – Who? What? Why? Article , Estate Planning Advance Health Care Directives - Who? What? Why? Who needs an Advance Health Care Directive? Everyone are over the age of 18, with full capacity needs an Advance Health Care Directive. Many people form the impression that Advance Health Care Directives are for the... read more Dangerous Condition of Public Property Analysis Article , Civil Litigation Dangerous Condition of Public Property Analysis What is the definition of "dangerous property" in a legal context? If you represent a public entity, how do you advise them of the myriad of factors that must be analyzed? Here we discuss four main components: the... read more Let’s Plan for Our Pets Article The members of McDowall Cotter are animal lovers and most of us are pet owners, so we take the care of pets seriously. We know that many of you in San Mateo County, Santa Clara County and throughout California are devoted pet owners. Whether the pet is a parrot, a... read more Proposed Pull-Back From Proposition 13 Article , Estate Planning Proposed Pull-Back From Proposition 13 Proposition 15 - The Split Roll Initiative In addition to Proposition 19, which seeks to place significant limitation on the Parent-to-Child reassessment exclusion for property taxes in California, owners and renters of... read more Essential Functions of Being a Trust Protector Article , Estate Planning Essential Functions of Being a Trust Protector A Trust protector is an independent third party, who does not benefit from changes they make to the Trust. They may be an individual, such as a trusted family member or friend; or they can be a corporate fiduciary. Trust... read more The End of the Parent-To-Child Property Tax Exclusion in California? Article , Estate Planning The End of The Parent-To-Child Property Tax Exclusion in California? - A Deep Dive Into Proposition 19 San Mateo County residents, and all current and future California property owners, need to understand the implications of Propositions 19 on this November's ballot.... read more Property Owner Liability for Third Party Criminal Act – Reasonably Foreseeable? Article , Civil Litigation Property Owner Liability for Third Party Criminal Act - Reasonably Foreseeable? Imagine you own a strip mall property - you have tenants who own various businesses on the property, perhaps a nail salon, a liquor store, a small gym, a bike store, and an auto parts... read more Say Goodbye To (Most Of) The Reassessment Exclusion for Parent-To-Child Transfers of California Real Property Article , Estate Planning Say Goodbye To (Most Of) The Reassessment Exclusion For Parent-To-Child Transfers Of California Real Property Proposition 19 seeks to wipe out significant portions of the Parent to Child Transfer Exclusion. This is an important development in the evolution of... read more « Older Entries We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Resources | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Resources ; As a service to clients, colleagues, and the general public, McDowall Cotter provides tools and information concerning our primary areas of practice. While these resources do not constitute legal advice, we do hope they will prove useful. To view current resources, please choose a practice area from the menu on top. We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Business Entity Counseling and Formation | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Business Entity Counseling and Formation G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation The kind of legal structure (or “business entity”) you choose for your business depends in large part on your goals, both immediate and long-term. The choice will affect the taxes you pay, your personal liability and your ability to raise capital. But whether you organize your business as a corporation, a partnership or a limited liability company, your highest priority should be to protect your personal assets from creditors and judgments. Your second highest priority (but by no means a distant second) should be to minimize taxes and maximize retirement planning. McDowall Cotter offers business entity counselling and formation services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Some of these services include counselling different types of entities such as LLCs, Corporations and Partnerships. Each business entity formations have different requirements. We counsel the diverse taxation requirements for each of these California businesses, starting from the preparation of the documents that are necessary for the formation and taxing authorities. When we first start working with clients looking to create a business in the San Francisco Bay Area Silicon Valley, we first conduct a comprehensive analysis of your business plan and your goals. If you are seeking assistance with the formation of business entity within San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Burlingame, Redwood City, Redwood Shores or within Alameda County or Santa Clara County, our lawyers here at McDowall Cotter will work with your accountants and financial planners to arrive at the best strategy for asset preservation, given the kind of business entity you choose. And then, for a fixed fee, we establish your entity and provide you with guidance in complying with the laws governing it. Have questions or need consultation about business entity counselling and formation? Please feel free to call our office at 650-572-7933 or, Contact us here . About McDowall Cotter, APC McDowall Cotter based in San Mateo has served clients in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for more than half a century. In that time, we have established a reputation, in the courts and in the community, for ingenuity, integrity and a common-sense approach to the practice of law. Our expertise ranges widely, from business counsel to wealth preservation to dispute resolution and litigation. All of our services are rooted in a thorough understanding of the law, extensive experience with trials and appeals, and a longstanding commitment to protecting not only our clients’ interests but also their peace of mind. We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation Insurance is a gamble. Most of us approach it conservatively, ratcheting up the liability limits, assuming as little risk as possible. Still, circumstances can, and occasionally do, overwhelm even the most aggressive insurance policies, and suddenly we can find ourselves vulnerable to a plaintiff’s attorney, for whom bank accounts, stocks, bonds, IRAs, even our homes are all fair game. That’s where our San Mateo based law firm, McDowall Cotter comes in. Your insurance company employs lawyers who will defend the assets covered under your policies. Based out of San Mateo and serving the Greater San Francisco Bay Area for over five decades, our team of dedicated and focused lawyers here at McDowall Cotter defends the assets that are not. Our seasoned litigation attorneys assist in managing the claim, negotiate with counsel, and creatively resolve the lawsuit with the goal of minimizing the exposure of your personal assets. That said, there is really only one way to insure the safety of personal wealth, and that is to protect it in advance with a comprehensive estate plan. For more on that topic, please see Wealth Preservation . If you are based in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…) and San Francisco and find yourself involved in a lawsuit or are in need of counselling, we are here to help. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Blog | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Blog G Final Advance Health Care Planning Resources Announcements , Article , Blog , Estate Planning Final Advance Health Care Planning Resources from MyCareMyPlan: Speak Up Sonoma County. To download and view this handout, please click here. Follow McDowall Cotter on Social Media Announcements , Article , Blog , Social Events McDowall Cotter is now available on several social media platforms! To get all of our exciting announcements, virtual event reminders, new articles and so much more, follow us on any of the platforms listed below. McDowall Cotter Instagram McDowall Cotter LinkedIn... Everyone Has Their Own Way of Looking at Things Article , Blog , Business Litigation , Civil Litigation , Estate Planning Everyone Has Their Own Way of Looking at Things Chacun voit midi à sa porte. -French proverb By Sophia Cizmarik Everyone has their own way of looking at things, especially when it comes to your health care decisions. Further, your own view may change depending on what... Top 5 Tips for Trustees Article , Blog , Estate Planning A trust is a legal contract created by the trust maker. You, the trustee, are overseeing and properly managing the assets in the trust. The assets in the trust are then given to the beneficiaries. The following tips are gathered from What to do When a Loved one... How to Plan for a Loved One with Special Needs Blog Planning for your loved one ensures their financial security and quality of life. Here are the three main aspects of planning; understanding financial and medical benefits, brainstorming your estate plan, and utilizing Special Needs Trusts. 1. Understanding Financial... Be Smart and Make a Business Plan Blog Thinking about staring your own business? You probably already know that you need a business plan. Business plans are required when pitching your business to investors, business plans outline specific, concrete actions you must take to achieve your goal, business... Common Estate Planning Myths DEBUNKED Blog An estate plan, which has a revocable living trust as its centerpiece, will dictate how your property will be distributed, who will care for your children and/or your pets, and most importantly, who will make financial and medical decisions in the event you become... Important Propositions To Remember When Transferring Real Estate in California Blog Have you thought about how you would transfer real estate to your children if need be? Here are facts about important propositions to remember when transferring your property to children: Proposition 13: This proposition applies only to California real estate and... Finding the Estate Planning Attorney Who Is Right For You Blog , Estate Planning , wealth preservation Many individuals who are looking for an estate planning attorney look for a personal connection with that attorney, but there are many other characteristics which should be taken into account when choosing an estate planning attorney which suits your... Cal ABLE is Here (Disability Benefits Act) Blog , Estate Planning , wealth preservation For many disabled Americans, maintaining eligibility for public benefits and saving for long-term financial security are mutually exclusive. The ABLE act will finally change this for Californians. Under current policy, if an individual’s personal assets exceed a total... « Older Entries We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Business Succession | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Business Succession G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation The family business is an essential part of the American economy. Properly managed and protected by judicious wealth preservation strategies, it can provide founders and their families with income and employment security for generations. If you are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and are looking for business succession solutions, our knowledgeable attorneys are here to help. Located in San Mateo, our law firm has assisted clients in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…), to manage and protect the family business for future generations. At McDowall Cotter we offer succession solutions that help ensure the vitality and longevity of family businesses. These include multiple entity structures, as well as the integration of family limited partnerships (FLPs), family limited liability companies (FLLCs), and corporations into your estate plan. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Partition Actions | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Partition Actions G Civil Litigation Business Services Wealth Preservation When co-owners of real property can’t agree on how to share the responsibilities and benefits of joint ownership, they can ask the court to appoint a neutral party to resolve the problem. This remedy, called a partition action, can result in either a formal division or a sale of the property in question. Either way, the property or the proceeds of the sale of the property are divided among owners. Partition commonly occurs as a result of an inheritance or the breakup of a business partnership and can be a bitter experience for all concerned. McDowall Cotter attorneys are accustomed to reducing the hostility by representing the legitimate interests of all parties equally while at the same time ensuring that the order to obtain partition and the subsequent accounting go as smoothly as possible. If you are in the San Francisco Peninsula, (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Foster City, Burlingame, Mountain View…), South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara…), Alameda County (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Pleasanton…), and San Francisco, and are currently faced with a partition, our San Mateo based law firm is here to help and answer any questions. Have questions or need consultation? Contact us here . We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Questionnaires | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Questionnaires G In order for us to have an understanding of your needs, we kindly ask you to fill out the attached Client Personal Information Questionnaire . Once completed, please return by email to our office. We kindly ask that you return it no less than four business days before your appointment. Instructions regarding use of the Questionnaire follow: Double Click the Questionnaire to open it. Once it is open, please immediately click File>Save As. Save it with the current name to your “Desktop”. From time to time, you should save the information you have entered. When you have completed filling out the Questionnaire, perform a last “File>Save”. Open which ever email system you use. Click “Attach File”, and attach the Questionnaire to your email. Please email the document back to [email protected] . Please call if you have any questions on 650-572-7933 . McDowall Cotter Confidential Client Questionnaire – Couples – McDowall Cotter Confidential Client Questionnaire – Single We are here to help. Get in touch. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Contact Us Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE Belinda Liang | McDowall Cotter - Attorneys at Law Home About Us Mission – Philosophy History Community Service Events Calendar Announcements Our Team SHAREHOLDERS Jennifer A. Emmaneel, Esq. Roxanne T. Jen, Esq. David S. Rosenbaum, Esq. ATTORNEYS Robert “Bob” D. Vale, Esq. Karishma Patel, Esq. W. Ethan McCallum, Esq. Ernesto Sanchez PARALEGALS Alexandra Gaspar Erin Cornelisen Michele McKenna Jazz Legaspi Martha P. Brosnan Lonan W. Tetting TEAM Barbara Barrett Correy Bernal Manuel Bernal Michelle Galan Belinda Liang Justine Williams Expertise CIVIL LITIGATION Contract Disputes Employment Disputes Insurance Defense Insurance Coverage Public Entity Defense Probate and Trust Litigation Mechanics Liens Partition Actions Personal Injury Lawsuit Asset Counselling BUSINESS SERVICES Employer/Employee Relations Business Entity Counseling and Formation Succession Planning and Exit Strategies WEALTH PRESERVATION Asset Protection Business Succession Probate & Trust Litigation Wealth Transfer Wills & Trusts Preparation Resources GENERAL RESOURCES Articles Blog Announcements Presentations Event Calendar ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS Advance Health Care Directive HIPAA POLST Form DNR Form Estate Plan Quiz Questionnaires Careers Contact Select Page Belinda Liang Finance Belinda joined McDowall Cotter February 2023 in the Finance Department. She holds a B.A. in Economics, with a minor in Managerial Economics from University of California Davis. Follow Us Get news from McDowall Cotter APC in your inbox. Contact Information San Mateo County Office - Mailing Address 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 Tel: 650-572-7933 Fax: 650-572-0834     ©2020 McDowall Cotter Law Firm - all rights reserved • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy CLOSE