On May 13-15, 2011, Lakin Spears LLP was the proud sponsor of the 35th Annual Symposium of the Northern California Chapter of the AAML. The Symposium was the brain child and culmination of a year-long planning effort by Lakin Spears family law partners (and AAML members) Tanya Prioste and Geniveve Ruskus. The Symposium topic was "Taking Care of Business: The Intersection of Family Law and Business Issues." Over 150 of the State's top family law practitioners as well as CPA's and business evaluators were in attendance for the three day intensive program. The Symposium was also attended by partners Jessica Arner, Rita Patterson and Jennifer Wald, and associate Lydia Crandall.

BASF Bulletin: August 2010 - Family Law Corner (PDF)

In July 2010, an impressive 75% of Lakin Spears, LLP attorneys were named in Northern California's Super Lawyer Magazine!

All Family Law Partners, Jessica F. Arner, Rita A. Patterson, Tanya E. Prioste, Geniveve J. Ruskus, and Jennifer F. Wald were honored with the designation of "2010 Super Lawyer" in the field of Family Law.

Four members of the Estate Planning and Probate group, David W. Hettig, Joan A. LeBlanc, Rebeccah B. Miller, and Ronald A. VandenBerg were awarded the "2010 Super Lawyer" designation in the field of Estate Planning and Probate.

The magazine also recognized Geniveve J. Ruskus and Tanya E. Prioste, both partners in the Family Law group, for being among the top 50 women lawyers in Northern California across all practice areas.

Tanya E. Prioste from the Family Law group received special recognition for being among the top 100 lawyers in Northern California. This means she received the highest point totals in the 2010 Northern California Super Lawyers nomination, research and blue ribbon process.

We are also pleased to announce that Lydia E. Crandall, from the family law group, Jean M. Kohler, a partner in the Estate Planning and Probate group and Michael L. MacDonald from the Real Estate group were all named "2010 Rising Stars" in their fields.

In March, 2010, partners Jean Kohler and Geniveve Ruskus presented to the Santa Clara County Bar on the topic of cross-over issues between family law and estate planning.  The attorneys at Lakin Spears have a unique perspective on this area given the depth of our family law and estate planning/probate practice areas.  The March presentation, which overviewed pre- and postmarital agreements, as well as issues of death in a pending divorce, was well received.  Jean and Geniveve plan to put on a similar program in June for the Silicon Valley Bar Association.

Effective January 1, 2009, Jean M. Kohler, an attorney in the firm's Trusts & Estates Group was elevated to partner.

San Francisco Business Times names Lakin Spears among the San Francisco Business Times 2009 Best Lawyers in the Bay Area.

Lakin Spears LLP Lawyers Receive Top Recognition as Northern California Super Lawyers

Once again, Lakin Spears lawyers are recognized as leaders in the field by San Francisco Magazine.

Four of the Family Law Partners, Jessica Arner, Tanya Prioste, Geniveve Ruskus, and Jennifer Wald were awarded the Super Lawyer designation in the field of Family Law.

Three members of the Trusts and Estate group, Joan LeBlanc, Rebeccah Miller, and Ronald VandenBerg earned the Super Lawyer designation in the field of Estate Planning & Probate.

In addition, Joan LeBlanc, our Managing Partner, and Geniveve Ruskus, a partner in the Family Law group, received special recognition for being among the top 50 women lawyers in Northern California across all practice areas. This means that Ms. LeBlanc and Ms. Ruskus received the highest point totals in the 2008 Northern California Super Lawyers nomination, research and blue ribbon process.