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Shirlene Bastar

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Avvo Rating7.8
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About Shirlene

Shirlene opened the doors of her law firm, Bastar and Associates, 23 years ago, and has cultivated a loyal list of clients who rely on her expertise. She practices in both Utah and California, with emphasis on customized estate planning for high-net-worth individuals and small business owners with complex, multi-faceted legal needs. Her practice also includes a wide variety of corporate and real estate transactional work, including business entity formations, long-range planning, employment agreements, contracts, real estate transactions, commercial leases, asset purchases and real estate development and financing.

Prior to practicing law, Shirlene built a successful commercial investment real estate company and has maintained that practice in both California and Utah.

Shirlene is a member of both the Utah and California bar associations, the American Bar Association, and is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Utah, the United States District Court, and the United States Tax Court.  She holds specialty memberships in Estate, Trust and Probate Law, as well as Business Law in all three associations. Shirlene is also a founding member of WealthCounsel Estate Planning Association, and has served as a State Forum Leader for WealthCounsel.

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Shirlene is an active member of her local community. She currently is a member of the Healdsburg Rotary Rotary Association, where she works closely with a broad range of community groups to provide assistance, support and fundraising efforts. She also has served on several Charitable Boards. Shirlene enjoys cooking, entertaining, travel and spending time with husband and her children.

Practice areas

Real estateTaxBusinessEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 30%

  2. Business: 30%

  3. Tax: 20%

  4. Real estate: 20%

Languages spoken

English

Contact

3950 Civic Center Drive, Suite 300
address map

Bastar & Associates

3950 Civic Center Drive, Suite 300
San Rafael, CA, 94903

Bastar & Associates

1791 East 2100 South
Salt Lake City, UT, 84106

Bastar & Associates

235 Foss Creek Circle
Healdsburg, CA, 95448

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive200010/27/2020
UTActive199411/07/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers10
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Client's ChoiceAVVO2014
Service Above SelfRotary Club2011
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Managing PartnerBastar & Associates1994 - Present
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Sonoma County Bar AssociationSection Member: Estate, Trust & Probate; Business Law2015 - Present
Healdsburg Rotary AssociationMember2015 - Present
WealthCounsel Estate Planning AssociationFounding Member2000 - Present
Utah State BarSection Member: Estate & Tax Planning; Corporate Law1994 - Present
American Bar AssociationSection Member: Real Property, Probate and Trust; Business Law1994 - Present
Salt Lake Estate Planning AssociationBoard Member2013 - 2015
Realms of Inquiry Private SchoolBoard of Directors; Legal Counsel2011 - 2015
WealthCounsel Estate Planning AssociationState Forum Leader2009 - 2014
Sugarhouse Rotary ClubVice President; PR Chair2008 - 2015
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of LawJD - Juris Doctor1994
University of UtahBS - Bachelor of Science1991
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Advanced Estate Planning - WealthCounselPlanning for the Non-Citizen2011
WealthCounselDisability Planning2010
WealthCounselBusiness Entity & Succession Planning for Small Business2010

Reviews

(12)
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Review Shirlene Bastar

Shirlene's a keeper!

Posted by

We have known and used Shirlene Bastar's services for over a dozen years now--both for business and personal and recommended her to many relatives and friends. Besides her extensive wealth of knowledge, she is a great listener and very professional. She has a great way of looking at something from many different angles and does so prior to offering her expert advice. Don't hesitate to align yourself with a true pro!

Responsive, well-thought legal counsel

Posted by

Shirlene helped me set up my company and wrote contracts that made sure my interests were protected, while also providing fair terms for my clients. These contracts have helped me negotiate multiple business relationships. Not only are her written documents spot-on, but she's always been exceptionally responsive and available to help me with time-sensitive questions. Highly professional and easy to work with, I have great peace of mind that my interestes are protected. I look forward to continuing to work with Shirlene in the future!

I Highly Recommend Ms. Bastar!

Posted by

Ms. Bastar has assisted me and my clients with our Estate, Succesion and Business Planning for many years. She has a way of taking a complicated subject and making it understandable for everyone involved in the process. She is attentive to details and prompt in preparing and delivering documents. Ms. Bastar is also friendly ande pleasant to deal with. I highly recommend her firm for your Estate, Legacy, Succesion and Business Planning.

Top Notch Business Attorney

Posted by

I have been working with Shirlene Bastar since 2007, and she has been instrumental in not only the establishment of my company, but also navigating the bumps which inevitably arise along the way. Shirlene is extremely knowledgeable, experienced, and professional. She and her team are highly responsive and always take the time to answer any questions I have, and fully explain my options to me. Shirlene is fair-minded and kind - two qualities that I value highly in an attorney and believe are difficult to find. I have recommended Shirlene to others and will continue to do so. She handled a very difficult situation for me with grace and determination - advising me where to push and where to step back - the result of which was the best possible outcome under the circumstances. The situation was not only legally vexing, but also very emotional, and Shirlene's patience as I filtered out the emotion was instrumental in the successful resolution of the situation.

A VERY SPECIAL LAWYER AND PERSON

Posted by

We have worked with Shirlene on two different occasions. Establishing a Trust and seven years later updating that Trust. Shirlene is very personable, always prepared for meetings, very organized, and has the patience of a Saint. The most important thing is that we feel comfortable with Shirlene's knowledge and experience, and we will continue to use her services in the future.

personal review of Shirlene Bastar as my attorney for years

Posted by

have used her as my primary attorney for over 10 years. She has helped set up retirement , negotiate contracts , help set up a partnership in my practice.In the practice she helped set up a structure to allow partners to buy new equipment and make it safe and equitable for partners with different goals . She helps ensure financial structure is adhered to. Sets up yearly reviews to cover legal and financial issues. I refer anyone who asks for legal advice .

Professionalism at It's Best

Posted by

My husband and I have worked with Shirlene Bastar for over 5 years. She most recently handled our somewhat difficult out of state real estate transaction and has drawn up and advised us on Trust Issues for years. Shirlene has been professional and understanding in her interactions with us. It is easy to reach her either by phone or email , and she responds quickly and takes the time to explain all the legalities involved in one's issues. We have total confidence in her.

Exceptional

Posted by

Very relaxed and friendly, but VERY professional. I would also recommend her partner who is a CPA. Shirlene's strong skills in family, estate, and real estate law, and her partner's excellent skills in estate and tax planning, are a perfect combination. Exactly what we had been looking for. They have saved us a lot of money (and headaches). We will continue to work with them for our personal and corporate legal needs.

Expertise & Compassion

Posted by

Shirlene not only goes the extra mile for us, but does so with compassion and understanding. She is extremely knowledgeable and has her clients' best interest at heart.

Knowledgeable, professional, and pleasant

Posted by

I have worked with Shirlene for several years and she does a terrific job with both estate planning and business law. Great to work with and fairly priced.
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Attorney endorsements

(8)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Christian Lassen

Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.

Ben Connor, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 1, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Shirlene is very professional and cares deeply for her clients. Her work is superb and she has deep knowledge of the law. I would be pleased to recommend Shirlene to my family members.

Aviva Roller, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 5, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I've known Shirlene for several years now, both as a new lawyer exploring the area of trusts and estate planning, and as a friend. She is highly detail oriented and has just the right combination of exacting legal knowledge and the ability to explain those details in a kind way so that a layperson can understand her options. I have recommended Shirlene many times to friends looking for an attorney to draw up their first trusts and anticipate doing so in the years to come.

Eric Barnes, Elder law Attorney on Jun 6, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Shirlene is a knowledgeable, caring, and competent attorney who maintains a committment to excellence in all she does. My experience with her cases where businesses were involved has been excellent. With a husband and partner who is an accountant, she brings a level of expertise and service that is hard to find anywhere else.

Jennifer Andrews, Probate Attorney on Apr 17, 2011
Relationship: Other

Ms. Baster is an excellent attorney and has served as a great example to me. She is intelligent, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable.

RobRoy Platt, Business Attorney on Apr 4, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I've had the opportunity to associate with Shirlene as a colleague and fellow member of Wealth Counsel for a couple of years now and have been very impressed with her knowledge of the law as it relates to business succession planning for small business owners. This is an area that few attorneys I've associated with have a real grasp on. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Shirlene to any small business owner who is concerned about successfully handing their business over to the next generation. Shirlene is also a very pleasant and generous person who has always been willing to help a fellow attorney when a need arises. I feel fortunate to have been able to associate with her over the years.

James Alder, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Shirlene is an extremely capable and knowledgeable attorney in the areas of estate planning and business organizations. Best of all, she is also extremely thoughtful and considerate. I do not hesitate to endorse her.

Peter Myers, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Shirlene Bastar is thoughtful, competent, and meticulous about following a client's instructions. Her interaction with clients and colleagues is cordial and professional. We have attended many functions together, as faculty and as student. I observe Shirlene to be astute and up-to-date on the cutting-edge techniques currently employed by estate attorneys at the highest level.