James K. Andrade
James K. Andrade
Biography
James K. Andrade is a Senior Counsel at Keystone Law Group, P.C. Prior to joining Keystone, James practiced at a boutique law firm in estate and trust litigation, estate and trust administration, estate planning, and general business advising. He has represented trustees, administrators, executors, beneficiaries, heirs, professional fiduciaries, and creditors in active litigation matters as well as administration of trusts and estates.
In trust administration matters, James has advised trustees that manage businesses as assets and helped resolve, issue spot, and advise trustees and beneficiaries on business related-issues. He also represents professional fiduciaries and family members in conservatorship matters, and has represented elderly clients in elder financial abuse, fraud, and recovery of property disputes involving family members, agents of broker/dealers, and lending companies.
While in law school, James interned for National Geographic Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, International.
Awards / Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers®: Litigation – Trust and Estates (2023, 2024)
- Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine (2020 – 2023)
- Up-and-Coming 100: Southern California Rising Stars by Super Lawyer Magazine (2023)
- AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Publications
- “Probate: The Fundamentals” in December 2018 edition of Valley Lawyer.
James K. Andrade
Phone: 310.444.9060
Email: james@keystone-law.com
Biography
James K. Andrade is a Senior Counsel at Keystone Law Group, P.C. Prior to joining Keystone, James practiced at a boutique law firm in estate and trust litigation, estate and trust administration, estate planning, and general business advising. He has represented trustees, administrators, executors, beneficiaries, heirs, professional fiduciaries, and creditors in active litigation matters as well as administration of trusts and estates.
In trust administration matters, James has advised trustees that manage businesses as assets and helped resolve, issue spot, and advise trustees and beneficiaries on business related-issues. He also represents professional fiduciaries and family members in conservatorship matters, and has represented elderly clients in elder financial abuse, fraud, and recovery of property disputes involving family members, agents of broker/dealers, and lending companies.
While in law school, James interned for National Geographic Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, International.
Awards / Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers®: Litigation – Trust and Estates (2023, 2024)
- Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine (2020 – 2023)
- Up-and-Coming 100: Southern California Rising Stars by Super Lawyer Magazine (2023)
- AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Publications
- “Probate: The Fundamentals” in December 2018 edition of Valley Lawyer.
Education
Bar Admissions
- California
- Texas
- United States District Courts for the Central District of California
Memberships
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Trusts & Estates, Litigation, Real Estate and Business Law Sections
-
California Lawyers Association, Trusts & Estates and Litigation Sections
Representative Matters
- Represented private professional fiduciary in recovery of property litigation and successful settlement including the winding up of business held by trust.
- Successfully obtained resolution and distribution to client during litigation on behalf of beneficiary of trust against sibling trustee for breach of duty, removal of trustee, and surcharge of trustee.
- Successfully negotiated settlement pre-litigation for elder financial abuse and fraud claim based on alleged energy upgrades to elder client’s residence.
- Successfully obtained dismissal of action on behalf of power of attorney holder that was brought by professional fiduciary to compel accounting.
- Represented elder customer in initiation of FINRA Arbitration against agent and financial securities broker in elder financial abuse and suitability claim.
- Successfully defended trust contest on behalf of trustee against disinherited sibling.
- Represented trustees and professional fiduciaries in trust litigation and administration matters including preparing and defending accountings, petitions for instructions, petitions for recovery of property, defense of removal of trustee petitions, trust contests, and general administration without court supervision.
- Represented beneficiaries for trusts and estates for removal of trustees, recovery of property, to compel distributions, to compel sales, and to surcharge against trustees.
- Represented administrators and professional fiduciaries in probate litigation and administration matters including petitions for sale of properties, guardianship petitions, conservatorship petitions, petitions for recovery of property, and final accountings.
- Drafted appellate court brief and successfully argued before the California 2nd District Court of Appeal.
- Lead trial attorney for two jury trials as Deputy City Attorney (volunteer through Trial Advocacy Program) for the City of Los Angeles for criminal misdemeanor cases.
