I am a Partner at Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP. I am a certified specialist in law of trusts, estates, and probate with the State of California. I have extensive experience with trust and estate litigation in all Bay Area jurisdictions as well as around California. I have represented trustees and trust beneficiaries in contested matters like trust contests, removal petitions, contested accountings, and other trust matters. I have also represented executors and administrations and estate beneficiaries in will contests, accountings, and Probate Code 850 claims. I have represented individual parties in cases involving financial elder abuse, fraud, and undue influence. I have also been retained as a expert witness to testify regarding identifying and protecting against undue influence.

As a founding partner of O'Neil & Rueppel, LLP, I focus my own practice on trust and probate litigation, probate and trust administration, and estate planning. In every area of my practice, I strive to give my clients the advice and representation they need to prepare for adversity, limit risk, and reach a positive and meaningful resolution. We have offices in San Francisco and the around the greater Bay Area, including Berkeley, Marin, and Palo Alto.

As an LRA in Law and Motion, I wrote briefs summarizing all of the arguments presented in the moving papers, analyzed these arguments in light of the pertinent law, and recommended final rulings to Judge Busch. The types of motions I analyzed include Motions for Summary Judgment, Demurrers, Sanctions, Confirm Arbitrations, and SLAPPs.

Engaged with my studies with a passion. Achieved a JD with honors, Top 10%, magna cum laude. While achieving excellence in many subjects, I also worked for Justice James Lambden of the California Court of Appeals where I prepared a published opinion in a case of first impression in California.

Worked on a wide variety of litigation, including energy contract litigation (involving issues of preemption, frivolous litigation, and violation of regulator assurances) and environmental litigation (incl. water contamination). I also examined preemption issues involved in implementation of AB 32, California's Global Warming Solutions Act.

I researched and drafted a published opinion granting writ of habeas corpus in criminal issue of first impression in California: In re Crockett, 159 Cal.App.4th 751, Jan. 31, 2008. To complete that task, I conducted in-depth research and analysis of state and federal case law on ineffective assistance of counsel, writs of habeas corpus, and jurisdictional limits. I also interpreted and applied California and federal law to matters on appeal, evaluated legal arguments presented in appellate briefs, and reviewed and examined transcripts of criminal proceedings.

I researched and drafted brief in response to petition for rehearing in the 9th Circuit in the case of Sierra Club v. Bosworth, 510 F.3d 1016 (9th Cir. 2007). This involved in-depth reserach on the equitable powers of federal district courts and their authority to issue nationwide injunctions when invalidating federal agency action. I also researched and drafted memorandum of law on the consideration of cumulative effects during Endangered Species Act consultation. Interpreted federal statutes, regulations, and case-law. Lastly, I investigated environmental effects of Coal-to-Liquid technology, as applied to state permitting regime in compliance with the Clean Air Act.

Herded cats and educated young minds.