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Benjamin James Sowards

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Avvo Rating9.8
Benjamin James Sowards
Benjamin James Sowards
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About Benjamin

Mr. Sowards helps his clients transfer wealth from one generation to the next through living trusts, wills and other advanced planning techniques.  We use a wide range of estate planning techniques to help our clients meet their estate planning needs and wealth transfer objectives. 

As trust and estate litigation attorneys, we focus on will and trust contests, fiduciary litigation, and financial elder abuse actions. Our practice further includes representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries in fiduciary disputes, trust and probate petitions and trust administrations.

Prior to opening the Sowards Law Firm, Mr. Sowards was an associate attorney at the international law firm of Morrison Foerster LLP and started his career at San Diego's oldest and largest law firm, Luce Forward Hamilton and Scripps LLP.  His experience working with the Fortune 500 has taught him how to address complex challenges in an efficient and cost-effective manner.  

Mr. Sowards received his B.S., magna cum laude, from San Jose State University where he was a President’s Scholar. He received his J.D. from the University of California, Davis, King Hall School of Law where he was a member of the U.C. Davis Law Review and the Senior Articles Editor of the U.C. Davis Business Law Journal. He is also a recipient of the Witkins Award for Securities Regulation. While in law school, Mr. Sowards was a law clerk with the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office and also worked for the California Resources Agency in Sacramento. Prior to law school, Mr. Sowards worked in the notebook computer industry.

Memberships:

 The California Bar Association

 

American Bar Association

 

UC Davis Alumni Association

 

San Jose State Alumni Association

 

WealthCounsel - the premier organization for estate planning attorneys

 

 

The Surfrider Foundation

Practice areas

OtherWills and living willsEstate planningProbateTrusts
  1. Trusts: 50%

    I help individuals and families tranfer their wealth from one generation to the next through wills, trusts, and other advanced strategies. My living trusts are custom drafted to meet your unique needs. No two estate plans are the same. We can help anyone - from those just getting started in life to those with substantial asseets to preserve and protect.

    16 years, 1,000 cases

  2. Probate: 15%

    For those that don't have an estate plan, we can assist the executor to take the estate through probate. In CA, this process lasts at least 1 year and sometimes up to 2 years.

    16 years, 25 cases

  3. Estate planning: 15%

    Mr. Sowards is an estate planning and wealth transfer attorney. He sets ups estate plans, including living trusts, to help to avoid probate, minimize taxes and limit conflict. He also helps to settle out and administer trust and probate estates. He r

    16 years, 1,000 cases

  4. Wills and living wills: 10%

    Mr. Sowards is an estate planning and wealth transfer attorney. He sets ups estate plans, including living trusts, to help to avoid probate, minimize taxes and limit conflict. He also helps to settle out and administer trust and probate estates. He r

    16 years, 50 cases

  1. Elder law: 5%

    Assist with transition of management and control of assets and legal responsibility from seniors to their children or chosen fiduciary agents.

    16 years, 50 cases

  2. Power of attorney: 5%

    Assist with appointing a fiduciary agent to manage all of your legal and financial affairs.

    16 years, 1,000 cases

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

262057 1250558429

262057 1250558789

262057 1410133485

Contact

www.sowardslawfirm.com
address map

Sowards Law Firm

www.sowardslawfirm.com
2542 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 200
Campbell, CA, 95008

Fax (408) 371-6005
Website
http://www.sowardslawfirm.com

Super Lawyer Video

800 W. El Camino Real
Suite 180
Mountain View,, CA, 94040

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive200410/28/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers31
Legal guides1
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers Magazine2012
Rated Superb (Rated 10.0)Avvo2012
Super Lawyer - Rising StarSuper Lawyers - Northern California2011
Superb Rating (Rated 10.0)Avvo2011
Wiley W. Manuel AwardState Bar of California2009
Wiley W. Manuel AwardState Bar of California2008
Witkins Award - Securities RegulationU.C. Davis2004
Articles EditorU.C. Davis Business Law Journal2004
MemberU.C. Davis Law Review2002
College ScholarshipSan Jose State University2001
Scholastic HonorBlack Masque Honor Society2000
Eagle ScoutBoy Scouts of America1993
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
AttorneyThe Sowards Law Firm2008 - Present
AttorneyMorrison Foerster LLP2006 - 2008
AttorneyLuce Forward Hamilton & Scripps2004 - 2006
Law ClerkYolo County District Attorney's Office2004 - 2004
Law ClerkCalifornia Resources Agency2002 - 2002
ClerkSanta Clara County Public Defender's Office2000 - 2001
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Campbell Chamber of CommerceMember2012 - Present
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysAttorney Member2009 - Present
AARPAARP Network Attorney2009 - Present
WealthCounselAttorney Member2008 - Present
US District Court, Southern District of CaliforniaAdmitted Attorney2005 - Present
UC Davis Alumni AssociationAlumni Member2004 - Present
J Reuben Clark Law SocietyMember2003 - Present
San Jose State Alumni AssociationAlumni Member2001 - Present
Boy Scouts of AmericaEagle Scout1993 - Present
BYU Management Society - Silicon ValleyPresident2010 - 2012
Milpitas Chamber of CommerceBoard of Directors2009 - 2010
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Contributing Author, Fiduciary Duties and Other Responsibilities of Corporate Directors and Officers, R.R. Donnelley Capital MarketsFiduciary Duties of Directors and Officers2008
U.C. Davis Business Law JournalSenior Articles Editor2004
U.C. Davis Business Law JournalArticles Editor & Member2003
U.C. Davis Law ReviewMember2002
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
UC Davis SOL King HallJD - Juris DoctorN/A
San Jose State UnivundergraduateN/A
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Annual Public Service Awards 2010BYU Management Society Public Service Awards2010
Estate & Financial Planning Traps for 2010Estate Planning Traps for 20102009
Chamber of Commerce Speaker SeriesPlanning Tips for Home Based Businesses2009
BYU Management Society - Silicon Valley ChapterEstate Planning for Parents of Minor Children2009
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Defeated Medi-Cal RecoveryRetained California Medi-Cal Benefits for Client
Estate PlansSuccessfully drafted hundreds of estate plans
LLCs / IncorporationCompany Formation

Reviews

(7)
5 Star
86%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
14%
1 Star
0%
Review Benjamin Sowards

Accurate and responsive

Posted by

My company hired Ben to create a contractual agreement, which he did promptly and at a great value. Ben was great to work with and was responsive to all of our needs. Highly recommended.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Highly recommended

Posted by

Mr. Sowards was extremely helpful in setting up a Trust which was a bit complicated. Because of his care and expertise, he saved our family much grief. Since setting up the Trust, when I've had any questions or issues I needed help with, he promptly got back to me with what I needed.

The Ideal Lawyer

Posted by

I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Sowards as his intern for about 4 months. I was given the opportunity to have an insider’s view on how he works with his employees and clients. In his mind the client comes first, he does everything he can to help his customers to have the proper legal care that they need. His employees are treated with respect and are expected to deliver only the highest quality work for his customers. He has a good grasp of new technologies and implements them in order to benefit his clients.

Ben Sowards

Posted by

I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with Ben for several months now. If you're looking at these reviews to see if you might want to hire a lawyer then look no further. Ben is an all around great guy: hardworking, intelligent, a family man, and willing to make sure everything is clear and concise. He is a man of morals that isn't going to let you down.

Hardworking, Up to Speed

Posted by

Mr. Sowards works hard to meet his clients needs. I have worked with him for several months. He is up to speed on all the important legal matters. His webstore offers a convenient effective way to interact with him for those who cannot reach his office. He has great values, serves his community, and is a family man.

Attorney services

Posted by

As an out of state resident, Mr. Sowards treated our case professionally and efficiently. Very happy with his services and results.

Failed to review documents for accuracy

Posted by

I received several documents on different occasions from Mr Sowards office that contained errors which had to be corrected based upon my discovery. It appears there was was a lack of proof reading and reliance on templates. I also felt there was questionable billing that he refused to correct. I would not recommend this attorney.
Benjamin Sowards' response: Like all attorneys, of course we rely on some template documents. Typically we draft several customized documents for clients for each matter. We also send out drafts on certain transactions which may not be 100% perfect so that we can keep the deal moving along. Please contact me direct at [email protected] to discuss your matter and so that we can resolve this for you.

Attorney endorsements

(11)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Robert Bergman, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 14, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I've know Ben for several years, and while he is technically my competition, I have know his work as an estate planning attorney to be first rate. I endorse him for this.

Elaine Dai, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 8, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Sam Marshall, Trusts Attorney on Mar 10, 2017
Relationship: Other

I would highly recommend Ben's services to anyone. He is caring, detail oriented, and a hard worker. You want him on your team!

Pierre Zado, Mergers and acquisitions Attorney on Mar 31, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I worked with Mr. Sowards on a matter that he brought me on to assist with surrounding an acquisition. He is a consummate professional in every regard and you can depend on him to carry out his duties. He is easy to work with and very knowledgeable. I have no reservations recommending a potential client to Bens office.

Eric Strongin, Business Attorney on May 23, 2013
Relationship: Friend

I endorse Ben. He is knowledgeable, reliable and consistently produces outstanding results for his clients. Ben provides a level of personal service that is rare. He has a large law firm background, but now, through his law firm, he is able to deliver the same high quality work with much a much more individualized approach and attention.

Andrew Dosa, Trusts Attorney on Mar 12, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Ben and I have worked together twice. He is knowledgeable about the law, works quickly to perform the work he has been hired to complete, he works well with his clients and others, and his clients get great results and service.

Michelle Yu, Estate planning Attorney on Jun 27, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Ben is an outstanding attorney with years of excellent training at a large international law firm. Now that he is on his own, he is able to offer his legal and business advice directly to businesses. He is also a very trustworthy and knowledgeable estate planning attorney in the local community and around the Bay Area.

Ahmed Shaikh, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 18, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work. He has a flexible and remarkable planning system that will eliminate probate, reduce or even eliminate estate taxes, and pass assets to the next generation with the care someone who hires him would desire.

Carlos Heredia, Corporate and incorporation Attorney on Oct 18, 2009
Relationship: Co-worker

I worked with Ben at Morrison & Foerster LLP and have collaborated with him since them on other client-related projects. Ben is an experienced and thoughtful attorney who provides his clients with practical and appropriate solutions. He is dedicated to providing high quality legal work and excellent client service at his firm. I endorse and recommend Ben without reservation.

Jeffrey Matsen, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 26, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer's work. I highly recommend Ben as an Estate Planning Attorney. He has an outstanding legal background and is able to translate, quickly and efficiently, his knowledge of law into practical legal service for his clients. Ben has a high level of integrity and a terrific client oriented personality. It is an honor for me to work with him on complicated Estate Planning and Asset Protection matters.

Leslie Daff, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 18, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Ben is an excellent attorney - smart, capable, and caring. I endorse his work.

Cost

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    Legal guides written by Benjamin Sowards