Biography

James K. Andrade is a Senior Associate 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.

James has been named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine since 2020. He was also recently named as a Best Lawyer by Best Lawyers® in 2023 for Litigation – Trusts and Estates

 

While in law school, James interned for National Geographic Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, International.

Publications

  • “Probate: The Fundamentals” in December 2018 edition of Valley Lawyer.
James K. Andrade
Senior Associate
Phone: 310.444.9060
Email: james@keystone-law.com
Education

James received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Kansas. He received his law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. While at Pepperdine, he also received a certificate for the Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law.

Memberships

  • The State Bar of California
  • The State Bar of Texas
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.
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Interests

Outside of the office, James enjoys hiking with his family, watching sports, reading, and watching YouTube.