Denise E Chambliss

Denise E Chambliss

3.4
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 29 years

Lawsuits and disputes Lawyer at San Francisco, CA
Practice Areas: Lawsuits & Disputes, Trusts, Elder Law ... +2 more

600 Montgomery Street, Suite 3100, San Francisco, CA

About Denise

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Lawsuits and Disputes 50%

Trust contest, will contest, undue influence, accounting, removal, surcharge, modification, reformation of testamentary documents, contested conservatorship.

30 years

50%
Trusts 20%

Trust and Estate Litigation. Assist in resolution and trial of contested testamentary instruments.

22 years

20%
Elder Law 10%

Financial elder abuse, undue influence, contested conservatorships, durable power of attorney disputes

22 years

10%
Probate 10%

Trust and Estate Litigation. Assist in resolution and trial of contested testamentary instruments.

22 years

10%
Wills and Living Wills 10%

Will contests, reformation, contested probate, undue influence, financial elder abuse

22 years

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 28 years

State: California

Acquired: 1997

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Texas for 29 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1996

Voluntary Resignation

No misconduct found

Location

Baker Hostetler, LLP

600 Montgomery Street, Suite 3100, San Francisco, CA, 94111

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Denise E Chambliss's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.4 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

5 star (3)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (2)

Posted by anonymous | June 23, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

wasted time and added to emotional stress

I spoke once to Denise and she suggested a process forward and asked for a check to continue the case my sister and I were pursuing. After more than adequate time for her to receive the check at first she didn't even know who I was when I called. Then she was totally rude in cutting me off and tell...ing me she wasn't taking the case.

Posted by Janine | January 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Extreme trust fraud

I had a very emotional case of trust fraud. My brother stole all of my inheritance and Denise handled this with honesty, patience and willingness to see justice prevail. Eventually it finally did. Could never have gone through this process without her!!!

Posted by anonymous | October 11, 2012

Worst Legal Experience Possible

We retained Denise to negotiate a settlement agreement for my son's estate after he passed away Christmas Day 2011. We hired her because she assured us, given all the facts of the situation, that she could help us avoid probate. Out of the many attorneys we spoke with this was the key motivation f...or retaining Denise. Our main goal was to save our family the pain of a lengthy legal process after our loss. Her first recommendation to us after receiving a retainer was to file for probate. Her actions during a very sensitive turning point cost all of us dearly, in legal fees and in emotional health. She alienated the parties by bolstering the party's attorney rather than proposing a settlement agreement. We canceled our retainer check. To make matters worse she is actually going to take my living son and I to small claims court over $2500. After the loss of my son.... the worst decision I made was talking to this firm and to Denise Chambliss.

Posted by David | July 31, 2012

Highly recommended

Denise E Chambliss came highly recommended by an associate, and I am pleased to be able to pass on a similar recommendation. I had a client that was refusing to settle their account and I was facing a fairly substantial business loss. I hired Ms Chabliss to collect the money owed. Ms Chambli...ss was thorough, personable and realistic, offering what I believe was the best course of action throughout the process. Upon conclusion of the matter, she followed up with some information that will help my company avoid a similar situation in the future. I highly recommend her work.

Posted by Julie | January 25, 2011

Great litigator!

Denise handled my litigation matter efficiently and compassionately. She understood the emotional strain a client suffers and empathized while being realistic in setting expectations. She is well versed in litigation tactics and in the underlying law of my case, and obtained a good settlement for me.... I highly recommend Denise.

See All Client Reviews

Denise E Chambliss's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Denise
David Clark Jones headshot
David Jones

Litigation lawyer | Nov 15

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Denise and I have been opposite each other on several cases (either directly or with other attorneys in my firm). She is a tenacious litigator who fights hard for her clients."

Autumn Renee Paine headshot
Autumn Paine

Unknown lawyer | Jul 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Denise is a sharp and hard-working attorney."

Matthew Scott Crider headshot
Matthew Crider

Litigation lawyer | Jun 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Denise Chambliss for over 15 years. She is a smart and effective attorney. She is the "go to" person for trust and estate litigation in Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley area."

View All Endorsements
Elizabeth S Cassidy headshot
Elizabeth Cassidy

Estate planning lawyer

Spojmie Ahmady Nasiri headshot
Spojmie Nasiri

Immigration lawyer

Jennifer Michelle Protas headshot
Jennifer Protas

Litigation lawyer

Matthew Scott Crider headshot
Matthew Crider

Estate planning lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2024

Super Lawer, Northern California, Trust and Estate Litigation, Super Lawyer by Thompson Rueters

2023

Super Lawyer - Trust and Estate Litigation, California Super Lawyers

2022

California Best Lawyers - Trust and Estate Litigation, Best Lawyers

2022

Trust and Estate Litigation, Super Lawyer, Northern California, California Super Lawyers

2021

Northern California Super Lawyer - Trust and Estate Litigation, Super Lawyers

2021

Best Lawyers - Trust and Estate Litigation, Best Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer by Thompson Rueters, Northern California Super Lawyer - Trust and Estate Litigation

2019

Northern California Super Lawyer - Trust and Estate Litigation, California Super Lawyers

2018

Northern California Super Lawyer - Trust and Estate Litigation, California Super Lawyers

2017

Northern California Super Lawyer - Trust and Estate Litigation, California Super Lawyers

2016

Northern California Super Lawyer - Trust and Estate Litigation, Super Lawyers

2015

Northern California Super Lawyer - Trust and Estate Litigation, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2025 - Present

Partner, BakerHostetler

Associations

2011 - Present

East Bay Trusts and Estates Lawyers

Member

2007 - Present

Santa Clara County Bar Association

Member

2006 - Present

Eastern Alameda County Bar Association

Member

2016 - 2017

Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council

President

2015 - 2015

Eastern Alameda County Bar Association

President

2015 - 2016

Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council

Vice President

2014 - 2014

Eastern Alameda County Bar Association

Vice President

2014 - 2015

Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council

Director; Program Chair

2012 - 2012

Alameda County Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section

Executive Committee Member

2011 - 2012

Alameda County Bar Association

Board of Directors

2010 - 2010

Trial Section Executive Committee, Alameda County Bar Assn

Chair

2009 - 2012

Alameda County Bar Association, Trial Practice Section

Executive Committee

1999 - 2016

Contra Costa County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Wilkin v. Nelson (2020) 45 Cal.App.5th 802

Published Appellate Opinion

Foust v. Foust

Obtained Judgment after Trial to defeat real property interests based on invalid asset protection trust

Layhee v. Layhee

Negotiated settlement of benefiary claims against trustee

Concepcion v. Just Write Funding, LP

Successful negotiated settlement of financial elder abuse claim against predatory lender.

In re Estate of Mulvihill

Will intrepretation case taken in trial

See More Legal Cases

Education

1996

South Texas College of Law Houston

JD - Juris Doctor

1992

University of Houston

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2022

Webinar

No More Fractional Discounts: California’s Adoption of the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act

2022

Webinar

Attorney’s Fee Awards to Trust Beneficiaries,

2022

Conference

Contesting Trusts and Wills

2017

Eastern Alameda County Bar Association

Undue Influence Contest In Will And Trust Litigation Under Probate Code §86 and Family Code §721

2015

Santa Clara County Estate Planning Council

Dealing with Difficult Beneficiares: Risks and Rewards

2015

C.E.B. Basics of Estate Planning Seminar, Monterey

Drafting a Will v. a Pour-over Will Presentation

2014

Professional Fiduciary Association of California

Dealing with Difficult Beneficiares: Risks and Rewards

2014

MCLE Presentation, Eastern Alameda County Bar Association

Lintz v. Lintz Case of Undue Influence and Financial Spousal Abuse

2013

CEB Workshop, San Francisco

Will Drafting Comprehensive Training

2012

Santa Clara County Estate Planning Council

Assessment and Litigation of Capacity in Trust and Estate Cases: Medical and Legal Perspectives

2012

Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel Litigation Group

"Lost Your Marbles?": Updates on Judicial Determination of Testamentary Capacity

Publications

2022

San Francisco Daily Journal The Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act Adopted in California

2022

California Trusts and Estates Quarterly California’s Adoption of the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act

2013

San Francisco Daily Journal Standing to Sue Expands in Revocable Trust Disputes

2011

San Francisco Daily Journal The 'treat 'em like they're dead' Remedy: Inheritance Forfeiture and Elder Abuse (Probate Code 259)

2011

Alameda County Bar Association Bulletin Addition of Alter Ego to Default Judgment

Languages

English

Activity

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