OUR FIRM

The firm was founded in 1986 by Phil Buckwalter as a general law practice representing individuals, families, business owners, injured persons, and others in a wide range of matters. His passion for the law and desire to help anyone who came to him for legal assistance ensured that the firm maintained a varied portfolio of clients and cases, even as he built a practice with estate planning and administration at its core. In 2009, Phil agreed to take responsibility for Attorney Richard Klein’s estate planning and corporate client matters, further concentrating the firm’s focus in these legal areas. In 2015, Nicholas Holder acquired the firm as Phil transitioned to a well deserved retirement.
Our friendly office, between Aptos village and Redwood Village, next door to the Hideout, continues to maintain a successful practice devoted to clients with disparate backgrounds on a range of issues. Whether your issue seems big or small, we pride ourselves in being approachable and available. We care not only about your specific legal concerns, we also want to understand your goals, expectations, and motivations. Understanding the big picture allows us to fully inform your options, choices, and to provide counsel for informed decision-making.
We know that getting your personal and financial affairs in order can seem overwhelming with everything else to worry about. Taking legal action is complicated without good counsel. We can help you plan for the unexpected, protect your interests, and recover your losses. We will tailor our services to your unique situation.
Our clients appreciate that we take time to listen, explain the issues, and their options. We empower you to make informed decisions so that our services are tailored to you for efficient, effective, and excellent results. We represent clients throughout the greater Bay Area, including Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara, Alameda, San Mateo and San Benito counties.
Whether it’s planning for the unexpected, defining your legacy on your own terms; protecting your property, business, and other interests; understanding your rights, obligations, and best practices; avoiding risks and recovering your losses; or holding wrongdoers responsible, we can help. Our services include:
- Consultation
- Wills and Trusts
- Probate
- Estate Administration
- Trustee-Beneficiary Issues
- Elder Abuse
- Commercial and Residential Property
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes
- Rural Property
- HOA Disputes
- Civil and Probate Litigation
- Negotiation and Resolution
Contact our office to schedule an attorney consultation.