Thoughtful Planning. Strategic Litigation. Proven Experience.

Guiding Your Business Today. Safeguarding Your Legacy For Tomorrow.

A boutique law firm representing individuals, families, and business owners in civil litigation, business and corporate law, estate planning, and probate and trust litigation.

Areas of Practice

  • We represent clients in complex business disputes involving contracts, partnerships, and fiduciary duties, and we understand that these conflicts arise within a wider web of commercial relationships—between owners, investors, directors, officers, employees, suppliers, customers, and joint-venture partners. Business litigation is the legal process companies use to resolve such disputes, including contract breaches, partnership and shareholder disagreements, fiduciary‑duty claims, intellectual property conflicts, trade‑secret and unfair‑competition allegations, and disputes arising from joint ventures, supply chains, and strategic alliances. Our aim is to protect and advance business interests by securing damages or equitable relief, preserving or restoring critical relationships where possible, clarifying parties’ rights and obligations, and minimizing disruption so your business can move forward with confidence.

  • We assist clients navigate the legal complexities of organizing, protecting, and distributing assets during their lifetime and after death. We create customized, legally binding documents, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to ensure wishes are followed, tax burdens are reduced, and costly probate court processes are minimized or avoided.

    Frequently Asked Questions.

  • Probate and trust litigation is, at its core, about resolving disputes when something has gone wrong in the handling of a person’s estate - either during their lifetime or after they pass away.

    When someone dies, their assets are typically managed through a legal process called probate, or through a trust if they planned ahead. Most of the time, these processes run smoothly; however, when there are questions, conflicts, or suspected wrongdoing, litigation may be necessary.

    Probate litigation involves disputes that arise in the court-supervised administration of an estate. This can include challenges to the validity of a will, disagreements over who should serve as executor, concerns about how assets are being handled, or claims that someone exerted undue influence over the person who passed away.

    Trust litigation is similar, but it focuses on conflicts involving a trust. These cases often involve allegations that a trustee is mismanaging assets, failing to follow the terms of the trust, or acting in their own interest instead of for the beneficiaries. It can also include challenges to the validity of the trust itself.

    Probate and trust litigation exists to protect what matters most - your family, your inheritance, and the wishes of your loved one. Whether you are trying to enforce your rights as a beneficiary or defend your role as a trustee or executor, the goal is to bring clarity, accountability, and resolution to what are often highly personal and emotional situations.

    A thoughtful approach is essential. These cases are not just about legal documents, they often involve family relationships, long histories, and deeply held expectations. The right legal guidance helps ensure that disputes are handled with both precision and care, so that the outcome reflects not only the law, but fairness as well.

About

Our firm is built on experience, discipline, and a clear commitment to protecting our clients’ interests, whether in the courtroom or through thoughtful planning. People come to our firm during important moments in life and business, whether they are facing a legal dispute, protecting what they have built, or planning ahead for their family’s future. We believe good legal counsel should be both skilled and approachable, providing clear guidance, practical solutions, and steady support every step of the way.

Douglas and Chris have been married for 23 years and have built a life and family together grounded in shared values of hard work, integrity, and service to others. Outside the office, they enjoy traveling together, exploring new places, and discovering great local restaurants along the way. As self-proclaimed foodies, they appreciate the connection and conversation that come with sharing a good meal, and they bring that same down-to-earth approach to their practice

Douglas MacLeith

Douglas MacLeith is a Navy veteran and seasoned trial attorney with more than 35 years of experience representing individuals, families, and businesses in complex legal disputes. He has successfully handled hundreds of cases in state and federal courts, litigated matters in multiple states, served as lead counsel in numerous complex cases, and achieved success in jury trials, bench trials, and appeals.

Douglas focuses on civil litigation, business disputes, real estate and construction matters, employment issues, corporate conflicts, and trust and estate litigation. His broad experience allows him to develop effective strategies, manage risk, and guide clients toward practical, cost-effective solutions. While fully prepared to take a case to trial when necessary, he understands that successful representation also means minimizing expense, disruption, and uncertainty whenever possible.

Known for his direct, disciplined advocacy, Douglas approaches every matter with the preparation, focus, and decisiveness shaped by his military background. He has litigated cases through appeal, including the published California Court of Appeal, Penny v. Wilson (2004) 123 Cal.App. 4th 596, which helped establish doctrines in California law.

Outside the office, Douglas enjoys fishing, studying history, and tackling handyman projects. The patience, craftsmanship, and practical problem-solving he values in those pursuits are the same qualities he brings to his legal practice—steady, thoughtful, and committed to helping clients navigate difficult situations with confidence and clarity.

Chris MacLeith

Chris MacLeith brings a complementary perspective shaped by experience on both sides of financial and legal disputes. She began her career as an intern for a federal bankruptcy judge in the Central District of California and went on to represent financial institutions in creditor litigation, protecting the interests of lenders, businesses, and individuals when debtors default or seek bankruptcy protection. Her work focused on maximizing recovery through litigation, foreclosure, asset repossession, and bankruptcy proceedings.

Chris later transitioned into bankruptcy litigation with a focus on debtor’s rights, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the pressures and realities faced by all parties in financial disputes. Today, her practice centers on estate planning and legacy building—helping clients protect what they have built and create clear, lasting plans for the future.

In addition to her legal work, Chris is a longtime educator and community leader. She is a homeschool mother of two (now adults), has launched and led homeschool co-ops, and currently serves on the Board of HOPE Christian PSP. She has also taught literature, writing, and civics to middle and high school students, bringing a thoughtful, relational approach to working with families.