Michael J. Valencia has been practicing law for 37 years and has been a partner at Ross, Hackett, Dowling, Valencia & Walti for 27 years. Over the past several years, Mr. Valencia has been appointed by the San Francisco and San Mateo County Superior Court to act as Executor, Interim Trustee, and Special Administrator in contested trust matters. Additionally, he has been appointed Guardian Ad Litem by the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Mr. Valencia administered these matters at a minimal cost and expense to the trust estates, thus reducing otherwise expensive litigation costs in trust matters. He has gained notoriety for his Trust Administration and frequently gets appointed by counsel or courts to oversee difficult trust administration problems that families are unable to do themselves. In addition, Mr. Valencia’s areas of expertise include: Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Transactions, and Business & Corporate Law.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES:
California State Bar, Since 1977
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION:
Estate Planning
Real Estate Law
Business & Corporate Law
Trust Administration
TRUST ADMINISTRATION REFERENCES:
Edward D. Thirkell, Esq. – Thirkell Law Group
Levon Sagatelyan, Esq. – Berberian & Sagatelyan, Inc.
Maria Lawless, Esq. – Evans, Latham & Campisi
Niall McCarthy, Esq. – Cotchett, Pietre & McCarthy, LLP
Charles M. Riffle, Esq. – Aaron, Reichert, Carpoll and Riffle
Peter Reichert, Esq. – Aaron, Reichert, Carpoll and Riffle
Melissa Karlston, Esq. – Aaron, Reichert, Carpoll and Riffle
Margaret Martin, Esq. – Martin Family Law Firm
Rolf Kruger, Esq. – Flicker, Kerin, Kruger and Bissada
Michael Bassi, Esq. – Bassi Law Firm
EDUCATION:
San Francisco Law School
Juris Doctor, 1977
California State University
Bachelor of Arts, 1973
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Current Member of the San Mateo County Bar Association
Board President of the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, 2006
President of the San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association, 1993
Director of the San Mateo County Bar Association, 1986-1987
President of the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, 1984-1986
President of the North San Mateo County Bar Association, 1984
Served as a Judge Pro Tem in San Mateo County Superior Court
Served as a Judge Pro Tem in San Mateo Small Claims Court
Served as an Arbitrator in San Mateo County
Served as Court Appointed Independent Fiduciary
Served as Court Appointed Executor
Served as Court Appointed Interim Trustee
Served as Court Appointed Special Administrator
Served as Court Appointed Guardian Ad Litem
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
Dick Noftsger Lifetime Achievement Award from the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, 2010
Member of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce, 1985
Received Martindale Hubbell Highest Rating for Legal Ability and Ethics Standards
REPRESENTATIVE CASES & PRIOR WORK HISTORY:
- Served as Trustee of Bay Area Metals, San Francisco for 3 years
- Responsible for running a metal recycling company and managing ten employees.
o Appointed Trustee - Responsible for selling several pieces of commercial property
o Appointed Successor Administrator concerning disputed family estate - Responsible for selling commercial real estate in California and Montana.
o Appointed Acting President of a Corporation - Actively engaged in the sale of commercial property located in Daly City in excess of $12 million.
o Appointed Majority Interest Proxy Holder in a Limited Partnership - Holds the majority vote and acts in the best interests of the limited partnership
