Professionals

Trust has been earned in the corporate offices. As former regional counsel for one multi-national corporation, Chief Legal Office for another, and outside general counsel for multiple multi-state businesses, he “gets it.”

Partner Christopher D. Carico brings 23 years of experience to leading the firm’s trust, estate and probate practice. Carico’s courtroom success in contested trust and estate matter, combined with his advanced technical skills in estate planning, makes for a rare combination of talents. He is passionate about delivering on these promises: “Protecting our clients, their families and the legacies they leave to their loved ones.”

Super Lawyers – Named one of Southern California’s Rising Stars, 2007 and 2010 (an honor awarded to the top 2.5% of lawyers in the Southern California area under 40 years of age).

William Benz is an attorney with a primary emphasis on civil, employment, and labor litigation. He represents a broad array of employers ranging from large and small privately-owned businesses to public municipalities. He also counsels clients in all stages of the employer/employee relationship.

For more than 24 years, David Carico has dedicated his practice to appellate law, and has developed the highly specialized skills necessary to successfully pursue cases and negotiate the intricacies of The Court of Appeal. He has argued cases including: state criminal and civil appeals, federal criminal and civil appeals, as well as cases in family, juvenile and contract law.

Attorney Angela Kil focuses on Trust & Estate litigation, Estate plans, Trust and conservatorship administration. Whether protecting individuals from being taken advantage of or protecting clients’ legacies, Ms. Kil truly enjoys being an advocate, helping clients gain peace of mind that their wishes will be carried out. Attention to detail and strong analytical capabilities are key to what sets her apart in field of estate planning, where finances and assets are at stake.

Attorney Bruce Macdonald helps clients minimize their taxes, and maximize what they can pass on to their families and estates. Clients rely on his advanced expertise and creativity for even the most complex tax strategies, “but it is also important to me and most clients appreciate that we make your documents understandable to you, so you know what you are getting and how your plan works, more so than with most firms.”

Attorney Ditta Reed focuses on Probate and Trust Litigation and Probate Administration. She credits her and the firm’s track record of courtroom success to its rare combination of a unique skill set in this area of the law: expertise both in litigation and the intricacies of Trust & Estate law. “We’ve achieved some incredible results for clients not only because of the quality of work we do, but also due to the persistence and creativity we bring.”

Anita Shah is a litigation attorney whose practice has involved trials in both state and federal court, as well as arbitrations. She has litigated cases in diverse areas including labor and employment matters, governmental and municipal tort liability, insurance coverage and criminal law.

Jessica Olson is a paralegal in Carico Johnson Toomey’s Trusts and Estates department. She provides invaluable support to the attorneys, allowing them to fully focus their attention on providing clients’ the most hands-on care.

Heather Sickles is a paralegal in Carico Johnson Toomey’s trust and estates department with more than five years experience working with trust and estates administration and litigation.