Katharine P. Moir

Ellen McKissock is a trial lawyer and Chair of Hopkins & Carley’s Trust & Estate Litigation Practice. With more than 30 years of experience, Ellen has litigated hundreds of cases covering every aspect of trust and estate litigation, including: Financial elder abuse Invalidating marriages Will and trust contests Dissolution of partnerships Recovery of trust assets Removal of trustees Complex accountings and conservatorships In addition to numerous trials, Ellen has represented cl...

When a company or its leaders are at risk, founding partner Daniel J. Bergeson uses his substantial litigation and trial experience to advocate for their rights and reputations in lawsuits involving securities, intellectual property, employment, private equity and venture capital, and commercial law. He focuses on the essential facts to persuade juries, judges, and triers of cases in state and federal courts and arbitration forums in Silicon Valley, Delaware, New York, and other dispute resol...

Timothy C. Brugh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Timothy C., who practices law in Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Armando Castro is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Armando, who practices law in Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Armando is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Recognized as one of California’s top trial lawyers, Elizabeth focuses her practice on technology, trade secrets, business disputes, and civil rights. She also manages day-to-day operations of the firm. A courtroom veteran, Elizabeth brings keen strategic thinking to every step of litigation. In addition to her trial work, she has handled many sensitive investigations and frequently assists clients in risk management. Clients have described Elizabeth as “an excellent trial lawyer&...

Laurelle M. Gutierrez has a diverse practice representing high-net-worth individuals and their families with respect to all aspects of gift, estate and generation-skipping wealth-transfer tax planning, as well as trust and estate administration. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/gutierrez-laurelle-m/

Christopher Kao is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Christopher, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James J. Masetti is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. James J., who practices law in Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dianne L. Sweeney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Dianne L., who practices law in Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dianne L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ian Ballon is an intellectual property and Internet litigator who represents clients in copyright, DMCA, trademark, trade secret, right of publicity, privacy, security, software, database and Internet disputes and in the defense of data privacy, behavioral advertising and other Internet-related class action suits. Mr. Ballon, who splits his time between the firm's Silicon Valley and LA offices, is the author of the four-volume legal treatise, E-Commerce and Internet Law: Treatise With Forms 2...