LEE S.W. COBB

Attached Files:

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor, cum laude, Order of the Coif, Thurston Society, 2004
University of California, Hastings College of the Law

Bachelor of Arts, Economics, with honors, 2001
University of California, Davis

PRACTICE

Lee’s practice focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, general business, finance (including secured lending and borrowing), and real estate matters.

Estate Planning
Lee has a unique perspective and practical understanding of the estate planning process, which allows him to identify and achieve his clients’ tax and non-tax estate planning objectives. Lee has considerable experience in representing individuals, couples, business owners and farmers regarding various estate planning issues (including business and farm succession planning and advanced tax planning) and formulating and drafting estate plans (including wills, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and related documents) to transfer wealth, minimize taxes, and to avoid, or at least minimize, family conflict.

Probate and Trust Administration
Lee also counsels and advises personal representatives and beneficiaries through the administration of a decedent’s assets including, probate administrations, trust administrations, and non-testamentary summary administrations. While Lee works diligently to avoid, or at least minimize, conflicts between family members, beneficiaries and third parties during the administration process, when disputes do arise, he has successfully litigated and resolved various disputes by and against personal representatives, trustees, beneficiaries, and creditors that arise during the probate and trust administration process.

Business and Real Estate Transactions
With a background in secured finance and bankruptcy, Lee is experienced in representing clients in business matters from start-up (or acquisition) through sale or other business termination, including advising clients on matters related to business formation, liability, choice of entity, operational issues, business contracts, secured borrowing and lending, buy-sell agreements, and purchasing and selling an existing business. Lee has also represented clients in various real property matters from purchasing or selling commercial or agricultural real property, secured borrowing and lending, leasing transactions, and personal guarantees.

EXPERIENCE

Lee joined the firm in 2007, and his practice focuses on representing individuals, business owners, corporations and farmers on a range of legal issues related to estate planning, business and corporate matters, secured transactions and finance, and real estate transactions. Prior to joining the firm, Lee began his career as a Finance and Bankruptcy associate in the San Francisco office of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP. While working in San Francisco, Lee represented large corporate clients on a range of legal issues related to secured lending and borrowing, bankruptcy (both creditor and debtor matters), civil litigation in federal, state and bankruptcy courts, corporate matters, and land use and development.

Lee is admitted to practice before all California State Courts, the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Lee is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Lee is a member of the State Bar of California, the Trust and Estates section of the State Bar of California, the Fresno County Bar Association and the Estate Planning section of the Fresno County Bar Association.

PERSONAL

Lee has 2 children: Steven and Justin. Lee is an active member of the Saint Agnes Men’s Club, which is a philanthropic organization devoted to raising money for the Saint Agnes Medical Center and associated programs.