Business Details
21 Years
experience
Trusted Legal Services in Newport Beach, CA
Founded in 2005, Gillies & Robinson is a Newport Beach-based law firm dedicated to delivering expert legal services with personalized attention. Our practice focuses on Business Transactions, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Real Estate Transactions, and Contract Law, serving clients across California with a particular emphasis on Southern California. Combining the experience of a large firm with the cost-effectiveness of a boutique practice, we prioritize client needs through tailored solutions. Our attorneys, Kristin Gillies and Laura Robinson, bring decades of combined legal expertise to small businesses, families, and individuals.We specialize in business succession planning, asset management, and real estate representation while maintaining transparency in all client interactions. Our mission remains steadfast: to provide accessible, high-quality legal counsel that protects clients' interests during life and beyond. With over 18 years of service, we continue to build trust through consistent, ethical representation.
Services
Business Law
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Real Estate Transactions
Contract Law
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer over 18 years of combined legal experience since 2005.
- Our boutique firm provides personalized attention while maintaining large-firm expertise.
- Specialized in business succession planning and probate avoidance strategies.
- Transparent fee structures with cost-effective legal solutions.
- Deep understanding of Southern California's legal landscape.
Services
Business Law
Our business law practice provides comprehensive legal guidance for entity formation, contract drafting, and succession planning. We help small businesses navigate regulatory requirements while protecting their interests through tailored legal strategies. Our attorneys ensure compliance with California business laws while maintaining cost-effective solutions for entrepreneurs.
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans to manage assets during life and ensure efficient wealth transfer after death. Our services include living trusts, wills, and advanced healthcare directives to protect families from probate costs. Clients benefit from strategies that minimize tax liabilities while maintaining privacy and control over their legacies.
Probate Administration
Our probate services guide executors through California's court processes while minimizing estate expenses. We handle asset inventory, debt settlement, and distribution according to wills or trusts. Clients receive support in avoiding probate through proper trust funding while ensuring legal compliance during estate transitions.
Real Estate Law
We represent clients in residential and commercial real estate transactions across California. Our services cover purchase agreements, title transfers, and construction contracts while addressing zoning regulations. Attorneys provide risk mitigation strategies for property investments and development projects throughout Southern California's dynamic real estate market.
Contract Law
Our contract law practice drafts and reviews business agreements to prevent future disputes. We specialize in buy-sell agreements, service contracts, and partnership arrangements that protect client interests. Attorneys ensure enforceability under California law while maintaining clear terms that align with clients' commercial objectives.
People
Kristin Gillies
Attorney
Kristin Gillies brings extensive legal expertise to business and estate planning matters. With over 18 years of experience since founding Gillies & Robinson in 2005, she specializes in asset protection strategies and business succession planning for California clients.
Laura Robinson
Attorney
Laura Robinson focuses on real estate transactions and probate administration. As co-founder of Gillies & Robinson since 2005, she provides tailored legal solutions for Southern California businesses and families while maintaining a commitment to personalized client service.
Questions
What estate planning documents are essential for California residents?
Every California estate plan should include a living trust, pour-over will, and healthcare directives. These documents ensure asset distribution according to your wishes while avoiding probate court delays and expenses.
How does a living trust benefit business owners?
Living trusts protect business interests through succession planning, ensuring smooth ownership transitions while maintaining privacy. They prevent court intervention during incapacity and provide tax-efficient wealth transfer for family-owned businesses.
What distinguishes your real estate legal services?
Our real estate practice combines transactional expertise with construction law knowledge. We handle complex commercial deals and residential transactions while addressing California-specific regulations that affect property investments and development projects.
How long does probate take in California?
California probate typically lasts 12-18 months with court fees consuming 3-8% of estate value. Our estate planning services help clients avoid this lengthy process through properly funded living trusts.
Can I modify my estate plan after creation?
Yes, living trusts remain flexible documents that you can revise during your lifetime. We recommend reviewing estate plans every 3-5 years or after major life events to ensure continued alignment with your financial goals.
