Our Services

Civil Appeals

After a lawsuit is brought to trial and a decision is rendered by a judge or jury, chances are one of the parties will not be satisfied with the outcome. The California Court System is set up in three levels—the Supreme Court, which is the trial court, the Courts of Appeal, and finally the Superior Court. The Courts of Appeal and Superior Court are courts of review and their only function is to look at trial rulings to determine if the law was followed and if there was any reversible error on the trial judge’s part.

Not every case can be appealed, and the process is complicated and challenging. The party bringing an appeal must show why they deserve to be heard, what the error or errors were, and the remedy they should receive. The reviewing courts begin with the assumption that there was no error and the trial ruling should stand. With this understanding, if you are considering an appeal, you need to be prepared for a difficult, uphill battle from the start.

Not all attorneys handle appeals and not all appellate attorneys are certified as Appellate Specialists. If you are considering appealing a trial ruling, you need experienced, qualified, and understanding attorneys who will achieve the best outcome possible.

The attorneys at Evans Kingsbury LLP specialize in appeals and writs in both the California state courts and federal Ninth District Court of Appeal. Noreen Evans has been certified by the State Bar as a specialist in civil writs and appeals. Together, Noreen and Deirdre Kingsbury bring decades of appellate experience to your case with a winning track record that speaks for itself.

Civil Litigation

Bringing a lawsuit, or defending a suit brought against you, can be a scary, anxiety-inducing experience. Whether you are involved in a legal matter as an individual or as a business, you have legal rights. To protect your rights, you need an attorney who has brought and defended many cases, and who has established a solid reputation in the Sonoma County and surrounding area in Northern California.

At Evans Kingsbury LLP we are not afraid to take on complex matters, with sophisticated issues, against powerful opponents. We handle real property disputes, environmental challenges, breach of contract, trust disputes and more to achieve great results for our clients, against great odds and powerful interests.

In California, the majority of all cases settle before going to trial. So although courtroom abilities and trial advocacy is very important for a litigation attorney, private negotiation and creative resolution skills can be even more valuable. We pride ourselves in our ability to thoroughly prepare a case for trial while maintaining a civil relationship with our opponents in order to facilitate a fair settlement if possible.

Trusts & Estates Litigation

Even with the best financial planning, sometimes heirs and beneficiaries dispute the terms of a Will, Trust, or other estate planning documents. Usually, these disputes involve family members or close friends who are all suffering from the loss of their loved one at the same time.

Noreen Evans and Deirdre Kingsbury have represented trustees, beneficiaries, and even attorneys in probate cases at both the trial and appellate levels. Attorney Evans has worked closely with California’s Elder Abuse Act, first when she was a legislator and now as a private attorney. Deirdre Kingsbury was also the successful appellate attorney in one of the leading California cases in Elder Financial Abuse. Protecting the desires of our senior citizens is an important mission at Evans Kingsbury LLP.