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David John Tappeiner

Business Attorney at Santa Barbara, CA

5.0   4 reviews

Licensed for 22 years

About David

Learn David’s areas of practice.

EXPERIENCED TRUST/ESTATE ATTORNEY; PLANNING, PROBATE, TRUST ADMINISTRATION AND LITIGATION.

Partner/co-owner at preeminent Santa Barbara Law Firm, DT Law Partners. Born in Santa Barbara, California. Law and Society BA degree from University of California Santa Barbara. Moved to Colorado in 1997. Attended University of Denver College of Law and obtained Juris Doctorate degree in 2000.  Licensed by Colorado State Bar in 2000. Joined law firm of Katz, Look & Moison, P.C. in Denver, Colorado. Practice areas included estate planning, probate, trust administration, and litigation.  Passed California State Bar February 2006. Returned to Santa Barbara in 2006 and joined law firm of Fell, Marking, Abkin, Montgomery, Granet & Raney, LLP - served as partner for 12 years. Co-founded DT Law Partners in 2020. My practice focuses on moderate to complex estate planning, tax matters, probate and trust administration and trust and estate litigation matters. Experienced in business transactions and marital agreements. Certified Specialist by State Bar of California in Trust, Probates and Estate Planning. AV Preeminet Rated Martindale-Hubbell.

Licensed for 22 years
State CA
Status Active
Acquired 2006
Updated 12/04/2022
State CO
Status Active
Acquired 2000
Updated 01/13/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact David

DT Law Partners, LLP
125 E Victoria St
Suite I
Santa Barbara, CA, 93101

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  4 customer reviews
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Posted by anonymous | October 20, 2009
President of Lifestyledesign inc.
David has helped us with so many legal issues over the years and has always done a superior job. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs a true professional that will follow through and get results.
Posted by anonymous | February 26, 2013
Fantastastic execution of Family Trust
David Tappeiner made this process very easy. He worked with my wife and me every step of the way. I thought it was going to be a bear, and it was painless. David showed a willingness to listen and came up with creative solutions to our Trust. I should have taken care of our Will, Healthcare Directive and Trust formation years ago. Glad that we found David and finally took care of important business.
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Posted by Fima | March 6, 2013
Mr Tappeiner assessment
Mr. David J Tappeiner returned to his native town, Santa Barbara, California in 1996 to join the prestigious firm Fell, Marking, Abkin, Montgomery, Granet & Raney, LLP, as a senior associate. He had a distinguished career prior to returning to Santa Barbara, so it was not surprising that he rapidly accomplished a promotion and became a full partner in the firm. My wife and I were fortunate to establish a professional relationship with him shortly after his arrival; we needed legal counsel regarding a business contract. He rapidly demonstrated his expertise in negotiation, business and administration matters as he had been an associate at the prominent Denver law firm, Katz, Look & Moison, P.C., which he had joined after his studies at the University Of Denver College Of Law in Denver, Colorado receiving his Juris Doctorate Degree in May of 2000. Needless to say we were most delighted with his approach and knowledge and the way he successfully resolved the legal issues in a prompt and efficient manner. He proved to be a very wise man with an excellent demeanor and therefore we have continued to depend on his advice and counsel for many other needs. In this day and age of legal specializations it is wonderful to encounter and depend on Mr. Tappeiner for guidance and support with the ever increasing legal necessities of the age we live in. Additionally it is important to emphasize that he has always been quiet generous with his time and his professional services have always been commensurate with his fees! Therefore I am pleased to express my highest recommendation to David who honors his profession as a member of the California and Colorado Bar Associations with excellent work, high professional standards and with a friendly and personal connection.
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Posted by Jorge | February 25, 2013
Excellent and very responsive attorney
David has helped us on many occassions. His response to any questions and processing of documents is always immediate. He is a pleasure to work with and I recommend him to everyone!

Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 550-550 per hour

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.5 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • Fell, Marking, Abkin, Montgomery, Granet & Raney LLP
  • 2005 - Present
  • Attorney
  • Katz, Look & Moison, P.C.
  • 2000 - 2006
  • Law Clerk
  • Katz, Look & Moison, PC
  • 1999 - 2000

Education

  • University of Denver Sturm College of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2000
  • University of California - Santa Barbara
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1997

Associations

  • AYSO Santa Barbara
  • Board Member
  • 2013 - Present
  • Provisor's
  • Member
  • 2012 - Present
  • Santa Barbara Estate Planning Council
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • State Bar of California
  • 2006 - Present
  • Lifestyledesigns
  • Vice President
  • 2006 - Present
  • American Bar Association
  • 2000 - Present
  • William L. Gordon American Inn of Court
  • Admitted
  • N/A
  • Villa San Marcos Homeowners Assoc.
  • President
  • 2009 - 2011
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • 2000 - 2006
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Certified Specialist - Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Law
  • State Bar of California
  • 2019
  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2019

Publications

  • National Business Institute Seminar
  • Maintaining an Ehtical Balance in Probate
  • 2013
  • National Business Institute Seminar
  • Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply
  • 2013
  • National Business Institute Seminar
  • The Probate Process from Start to Finish
  • 2001
  • Denver University Law Review
  • Writer
  • 2000
  • Denver University Law Review
  • Writer
  • 1999
  • Denver University Law Review
  • Writer
  • 1998
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Probate Process from Start to Finish
  • Putting the Case to Rest; Closing the Estate
  • 2013

Attorney endorsements

Received (4)
Given (6)
Endorse David
Trusts Attorney | Apr 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have worked with Mr. Tappeiner and as his opposing counsel on several matters. Each time I work with him, I am always impressed with his civility, professionalism, and excellent degree of competence. He is a wonderful advocate for his clients."
Probate Attorney | Jun 02
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I have worked with David on the same and opposite sides of a case. David is smart, reasonable and realistic. It is not always that opposing counsel is a pleasure to work with, but David truly is. He makes good decisions and provides his clients with good and practical advice. I always look forward to working with David."
Estate planning Attorney | Mar 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"David Tappeiner is a highly skilled attorney who works hard for his clients and represents them well. I've known David a long time and have referred matters to him as he takes very good care of his clients and is well recognized by his peers. Fantastic lawyer."
Probate Attorney | Mar 03
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Tappeiner and I practice in many of the same areas of law, so I have had an opportunity to review many of his answers. I find his answers to be legally insightful and to offer practical and helpful information. I am happy to endorse him and his services. James Frederick"
Lawsuits and disputes
Estate planning
Estate planning
Personal injury
Estate planning