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Biography
Blaine M. Brown is a co-founder of the OC Trial Group and acts as one of their primary trial attorneys. Mr. Brown is a highly awarded and reviewed trial attorney who has been named to Best Lawyers’ annual list of “Ones to Watch” and has also been rated by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.” He has also earned an Avvo rating of “Superb 10/10” and recognition as a “Top 40 Under 40 Trial Layer” by the National Trial Lawyers.
Mr. Brown represents clients in a variety of matters, including trust and estate matters (trust litigation and trust administration), financial elder abuse actions, fraud actions, business disputes, and real estate disputes, wrongful death, and personal injury actions.
One of Mr. Brown’s recent trust litigation matters earned an award from Top Verdict as the #1 Settlement in 2022 for Elder Financial Abuse, Constructive Fraud, and Embezzlement in the State of California. Other successful results include numerous 7 figure ($1,500,000, $1,300,000, $1,000,000, etc.) pre-trial and trial settlements in trust and estate litigation matters involving financial elder abuse, undue influence, fraud, and trustee removal, as well as numerous defense judgments on behalf of clients who were the trustee of a trust and claimed to have committed breaches of fiduciary duty, breaches of trust, undue influence, and fraud.
Mr. Brown is also an active board member of the Veteran’s Legal Institute and an active member of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association.
Focus Areas
Trust Contests
Will Contests
Trustee Removal
Financial Elder Abuse
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Breach of Trust
Fraud Actions
Misappropriation Actions
Trust Administration
Estate Administration
Probate
Business Disputes
Contract Actions
Wrongful Death
Nursing Home Abuse
Education
- California State University - Chico
- B.S. | Business Administration with Finance
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- Western State College of Law at Argosy University
- J.D. | Law
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Salutatorian Class Rank: 2 Law Review: Marketing Editor Moot Court: Student Competitor Business Law Association: President Witkin Excellence Award/Highest Grade: 14 courses
- Activities: Law Review Moot Court Business Law Association
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Professional Experience
- Shareholder/Trial Attorney
- OC Trial Group, APC
- - Current
- Trust and Probate Litigation: complex trust and probate litigation, including but not limited to the following: (1) wills and trust contests; and (2) breach of fiduciary duties. Business Law/Litigation: business/corporate law and litigation, including but not limited to the following: (1) formation and restructuring of business entities; (2) company transactions; (3) asset purchase and stock sale agreements; (4) shareholder agreements; and (5) disputes between partners/shareholders. Estate Planning: planning the estates of clients, including but not limited to the following: (1) advanced planning of wills and trusts; (2) special needs trusts; (3) inheritance tax planning; (4) gifting and charitable planning; and (5) advising trustees. Real Estate Law/Litigation: real estate law and litigation, including but not limited to the following: (1) real estate purchase agreements, leases, etc.; (2) property tax issues; (3) titling of residential, commercial, and income properties.
- Trial Attorney
- Hess Verdon & Associates, APC
- -
- Trust and Probate Litigation: complex trust and probate litigation, including but not limited to the following: (1) wills and trust contests; and (2) breach of fiduciary duties. Business Law/Litigation: business/corporate law and litigation, including but not limited to the following: (1) formation and restructuring of business entities; (2) company transactions; (3) asset purchase and stock sale agreements; (4) shareholder agreements; and (5) disputes between partners/shareholders. Estate Planning: planning the estates of clients, including but not limited to the following: (1) advanced planning of wills and trusts; (2) special needs trusts; (3) inheritance tax planning; (4) gifting and charitable planning; and (5) advising trustees. Real Estate Law/Litigation: real estate law and litigation, including but not limited to the following: (1) real estate purchase agreements, leases, etc.; (2) property tax issues; (3) titling of residential, commercial, and income properties.
- Trial Attorney
- Gates, Gonter, Guy, Proudfoot, & Muench, LLP
- -
- Responsible for taking cases from the initial client meeting through to conclusion, becoming intimately involved in meeting my clients’ legal needs. Specific duties include: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a diverse range of agreements, and file comprehensive complaints and airtight responses. Working closely with team to develop comprehensive briefs and prepare persuasive motions on each case that goes to trial; prepare persuasive motions. Interfacing with clients about discovery, depositions, trial preparation, and other case-related work. Conducting depositions (excess of 60 lay and expert witness) and discovery; perform industry research on legal matters related to specific matters, as well applicable legislation. Making frequent court appearances, hearings, and pre-trial conferences (excess of 35)
- Law Clerk
- Gates, Gonter, Guy, Proudfoot, & Muench, LLP
- -
- Searched and studied legal documents, investigated facts and law of cases, determined causes of action, and prepared cases. Additionally, screened petitions, motions, and complaints filed to determine the litigant's legal merits. Attended several jury trials with the managing partner, using these one-on-one interactions to better understand the legal issues involved in each case.
Publications
Articles & Publications
- Trustee Compensation in California: Factors to Consider
- blaine M. Brown of OC Trial Group, APC
- The Importance of Transparency During Trust Administration
- https://www.octrial.com/blog/2024/july/california-procedure-to-modify-or-reform-the-tru/
- California Procedure to Modify or Reform the Trust
- Blaine M. Brown of OC Trial Group, APC
- Addressing Abuse of Power: What to Do When an Agent Misuses Power of Attorney
- Blaine M. Brown of OC Trial Group, APC
- Trustee Fiduciary Duties
- Blaine m. Brown of OC Trial Group, APC
Speaking Engagements
- Modern Over-Prescription of Medication
- The Great Debate
- Oral Arguments
- Western State College of Law Advanced Appellate Advocacy
- ADA Regulations
- ABA National Moot Court Competition
- Tournament Judge
- Western State College of Law 1L Moot Court
Certifications
- Business Law
- Western State College of Law
Awards
- Ones to Watch
- BEST LAWYERS
- These awards are recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in America. Our "Ones to Watch" recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years.
- Rising Star
- Super Lawyers
- Selection to the 2023 California Rising Stars list. This is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state. To be eligible for the Rising Stars list, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice 10 years or less. On to the next goal.
- Lead Counsel Verified
- Law Info
- The "Lead Counsel Verified" designation is a mark of distinction awarded to attorneys who meet rigorous criteria, including substantial experience in their practice area, positive peer recommendations, and a clean disciplinary record. This status indicates that the attorney has been thoroughly vetted for their expertise, professionalism, and ethical conduct, offering potential clients confidence in their qualifications.
- Top 40 Under 40
- National Trial lawyers
- The "Top 40 Under 40" award by The National Trial Lawyers is a professional recognition given to a select group of trial lawyers across the United States. This award is reserved for attorneys under the age of 40 who have demonstrated superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership skills in their field. The selection process for this award is based on a combination of peer nominations and third-party research.
- Avvo Clients' Choice Award
- avvo
- Associated with OC Trial Group, APC The Avvo Clients’ Choice Award is awarded to select attorneys based on the rating they acquire. Avvo uses the Avvo Rating to evaluate an attorney’s background based upon the Avvo profile of the attorney and additional info they collect from other public web sources, such as the state bar associations and lawyer websites.
Professional Associations
- State Bar of California # 325627
- Member
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- California
- State Bar of California
- ID Number: 325627
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Fees
- Free Consultation
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Contingent Fees
Practice Areas
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Elder Law
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
Additional Practice Areas
- Estate Litigation
- Trust Litigation
- Trust Administration
- Estate Administration
- Wrongful Death
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
- Q. If 2 brother's are left a house in a trust, 1 brother dies, does his half go to his kids?
- A: My response will depend on whether your uncle is still alive and also what the terms of the trust state. For example, the terms of the trust should state whether a beneficiaries issue steps into their shoes if the beneficiary passes prior to distribution. Absent the information relating to whether your uncle is still alive, my response would remain subject to change.
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