The information provided
here is for informational purposes only. It is not,
nor is it intended to be, legal advice.
You should consult an attorney for
individual advice regarding your own situation.
Professional Experience Since 1984, the principal of
the firm, attorney David A. Solitare, has practiced law in the
corporate and business financial planning arenas, particularly
in connection with tax-sensitive contract drafting
and review.
He has a strong background in tax
planning for individuals and corporations,
and significant
experience in estate planning for high net worth individuals,
wills, probate, trust administration, and business entity formation.
He has represented individuals and companies
before the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court, and state and local tax agencies.
His major projects have included limited partnership and real estate
syndications (including a major private resort hotel acquisition),
and purchases and sales of closely-held businesses.
Mr. Solitare also has two years of tax accounting experience with
the tax department of the international accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers,
in their Los Angeles office.
Education UCLA School of Law, J.D.
UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management, M.B.A, Concentration
in finance and accounting
UCSD, B.A., Economics, magna cum laude
Bar Admissions/Memberships State Bar of California and Taxation
Section
Los Angeles County Bar Association and Taxation Section
San Fernando Valley Bar Association
Court Admissions U.S. Tax Court
Community
Involvement
Serves on the panel
of referral attorneys with the Los Angeles County Bar Association
Lawyer Referral and Information Service, and lectures on the
topics of estate planning and personal finance.
Past Elder and
Deacon at Bel Air Presbyterian Church. Currently teaching Bethel
Bible Series.
Personal
Mr. Solitare resides in
Woodland Hills, is married, and has one child. His hobbies include
backpacking, skiing, and distance running.
MICHAEL N. BALIKIAN
Of Counsel Associate
Professional Experience Mr. Balikian is of counsel
to the firm and has over 22 years experience in the areas
of estate planning, post-death estate administration, business
formation and representation, real estate and tax.
While in law school, Mr. Balikian
served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Lynn Compton
in the Second Appellate District of the California Court
of Appeals.
Education University of the Pacific, McGeorge
School of Law, J.D.
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Masters in Business
and Tax
University of Arizona, B.A. Business Administration
Bar Admissions/Memberships State Bar of California
San Fernando Valley Bar Association
Court Admissions U.S. Tax Court
Community
Involvement
Cofounder of First
Generation Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing
financial resources to low-income seniors
Serves on the Probate
Volunteer Panel of the Los Angeles Superior Court
Member of the Christian
Legal Society
Past Vice-President
of the local chapter of Gideons International
Past member of
the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Foundation Estate and Tax
Planning Advisory Committee
Served as a Vice-Chair
of Planned Giving for the Arthritis Foundation's local board
Personal Mr. Balikian enjoys basketball and
golf. He is married with three children and resides in Thousand
Oaks, California.
SHERIDAN J. HUGHES
Paralegal
Ms. Hughes joined our firm in 2006. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Geography from California State University, Northridge and her paralegal certificate from West Los Angeles College. She currently assists the firm in the areas of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and business entity formation and maintenance. She is also a Notary Public.
A paralegal as her second career, Ms. Hughes has flown 25 years with Continental Airlines as a flight attendant.
Ms. Hughes enjoys marathon running and gardening and has traveled extensively around the world. She currently resides in Simi Valley, California.