Keystone is proud to announce the addition of four new members to its growing team: Cliff Melnick, James Andrade, Renata De La Torre and Anthony Balbuena. Each new team member has something unique to offer, and we look forward to seeing them excel in their roles. Welcome to the Keystone family, everyone!
Cliff Melnick is Of Counsel at Keystone Law Group. He focuses his practice on trust, estate and conservatorship litigation. With more than 23 years of litigation experience, 18 of which were in probate. Cliff has successfully represented a broad range of clients across California, including trustees, beneficiaries, executors, administrators, conservators, guardians, private professional fiduciaries, life insurance companies and nonprofit organizations. Cliff’s cases have consisted of all manners of will and trust disputes, contested conservatorships, fiduciary reports and accountings, Heggstad/850 Petitions, petitions for probate, elder abuse actions, quiet title and partition proceedings and will and trust contests. Cliff received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law, and undergraduate degree in law and society from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he graduated with the highest honors. Welcome, Cliff!
James K. Andrade is a Senior Associate at Keystone Law Group. 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 in the administration of trusts and estates. In trust administration matters, James has advised trustees who manage businesses as assets. He has represented professional fiduciaries and family members in conservatorship matters, as well as enforced the rights of elderly clients in financial abuse, fraud and property disputes involving family members, agents of broker/dealers, and lending companies. James has been named as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers magazine. He received his law degree from the Pepperdine University School of Law, where he also received a certificate from the Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law. He received his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Kansas. Welcome, James!
Renata De La Torre is the Client Intake Specialist at Keystone Law Group. She is the first person to hold this important position at the firm. Her job is to ensure that potential clients have a central contact person, as well as the best customer service experience. Her primary duties consist of monitoring online inquiries and screening all incoming calls to assess and qualify potential leads. She is responsible for entering client data into Keystone’s client management system and overseeing the general onboarding process once a client signs up with the firm. Renata will also be responsible for assisting with offboarding once a client’s case has come to an end and to ensure that they are satisfied with their results. Prior to joining Keystone, Renata worked as a legal assistant and billing clerk for a family law firm in Century City. Renata received her undergraduate degree in English from the University of California, Los Angeles. Welcome, Renata!
Anthony Balbuena is a Legal Assistant at Keystone Law Group. He supports four attorneys at the firm, including the Managing Partner. He performs tasks such as preparing filings and serving documents, sending out correspondences and scheduling appearances for hearings. Prior to joining Keystone Anthony worked as a paralegal and legal assistant at a plaintiff’s firm in Downtown Los Angeles. Anthony received his undergraduate degree in psychology from California State University, Long Beach. Later, he received a Paralegal Certificate from UCLA Extension. Welcome, Anthony!
