Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP

Law Firm in Visalia, CA

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP

Law Firm in Visalia, CA

Firm Overview

The law firm of Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP meets the legal needs of individuals, families, businesses, farmers, real estate developers and others throughout the local community and beyond our local boundaries. Our experienced lawyers and staff are dedicated to providing professional and effective legal services in a wide variety of areas, including Business Law, Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer, Probate, Civil Litigation, and Water Law.
Our firm was founded over 100 years ago and remains the oldest and most trusted continuously running law firm in Tulare County. Our firm has grown and evolved along with the local community and our local businesses for several generations. Although the firm is involved in traditional legal matters affecting all businesses and individuals, it particularly enjoys being involved in new, innovative and challenging issues and developments having far-reaching future implications.

The firm has achieved the highest rating for legal ability in Martindale-Hubbell.

Main Office

Main Office
1102 North Chinowth Street
Visalia, CA 93291

Phone

559-733-5770

Fax

559-733-4922

Business

Our business law services assist area businesses throughout the entirety of their operations.

We handle business formation, ongoing business transactions, business dissolutions and dispute resolution. Ruddell Cochran Stanton Smith & Bixler, LLP can meet the varied legal needs you and your business may experience.

Comprehensive business law services in the San Joaquin Valley:
As the oldest continuously operating law firm in Tulare County, our firm has advised businesses through many changes in our many years of practice. We have substantial experience identifying the goals of business owners and developing strategies to reach those goals. Our attorneys offer complete business law services in the following areas:

Business formation: We work closely with business owners during the critical beginning stages of business formation. Depending on the type of business, number of partners, liabilities and other factors, we advise on choice of entity. We handle formation of entities such as corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability companies (LLCs).

Ongoing business transactions: We meet the ongoing legal needs of businesses in the areas of company mergers and acquisitions, stock sales, asset sales, buy-sell agreements, cross-purchase programs, entity purchase programs, business reorganizations and sales contracts.

Business litigation: Our firm protects the rights of business owners involved in business disputes, breach of contract claims, creditor actions, business dissolutions and more. We participate in mediation, arbitration and litigation, pursuing the method most pertinent to your situation.

Family business reorganizations: Our lawyers frequently represent family farms of significant wealth. Farms often involve multi-generational relationships. We can guide you and your family through farm reorganizations, restructuring and spinoffs. This is often done in partnership with our estate planning services, which focus heavily on wealth transfer.

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Gary H. Ruddell

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Mr. Ruddell was born in Caldwell, Idaho, on January 16, 1945. He is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara (B.A. cum laude, 1966) and University of San Francisco (J.D., 1969). Mr. Ruddell was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1970. He is a member of the Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1981) and the State Bar of California. Mr. Ruddell, in addition to business formation, real estate acquisition and sales, and other transactional work, focuses on estate planning utilizing wealth transfer programs for families with large estates, probate and trust administration. He continues to handle real property development, both commercial and residential. Recent projects include Mary's Vineyard, Rancho Viejo, and Key West Shopping Centers in Visalia, California; Del Lago, a 620-acre community development in Tulare, California; The Courtyards, a 20-acre commercial and office complex; Shannon Ranch, a 600-acre residential and commercial development in Visalia, California; Village West, a 30-acre commercial project and Marsh Street Commons, a mixed use residential and commercial condominium project in San Luis Obispo, California.

Areas of Law:
-Estate Planning
-Business Law
-Business Transactions
-Contracts
-Real Estate
-Residential Land Use
-Probate
-Estate Administration
-Trusts and Estates
-Wills
-Commercial Land Use

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
-Admitted in 1970, California
-1970, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
-1970, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Law School Attended:
University of San Francisco
Class of 1969
J.D.

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1966
B.A.
with honor

Birth Information:
Born in 1945
Caldwell, Idaho, January 16, 1945

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1981); State Bar of California.

Education

University of San Francisco
Juris Doctorate, 1969

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Gary H. Ruddell

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Mr. Ruddell was born in Caldwell, Idaho, on January 16, 1945. He is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara (B.A. cum laude, 1966) and University of San Francisco (J.D., 1969). Mr. Ruddell was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1970. He is a member of the Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1981) and the State Bar of California. Mr. Ruddell, in addition to business formation, real estate acquisition and sales, and other transactional work, focuses on estate planning utilizing wealth transfer programs for families with large estates, probate and trust administration. He continues to handle real property development, both commercial and residential. Recent projects include Mary's Vineyard, Rancho Viejo, and Key West Shopping Centers in Visalia, California; Del Lago, a 620-acre community development in Tulare, California; The Courtyards, a 20-acre commercial and office complex; Shannon Ranch, a 600-acre residential and commercial development in Visalia, California; Village West, a 30-acre commercial project and Marsh Street Commons, a mixed use residential and commercial condominium project in San Luis Obispo, California.

Areas of Law:
-Estate Planning
-Business Law
-Business Transactions
-Contracts
-Real Estate
-Residential Land Use
-Probate
-Estate Administration
-Trusts and Estates
-Wills
-Commercial Land Use

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
-Admitted in 1970, California
-1970, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
-1970, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Law School Attended:
University of San Francisco
Class of 1969
J.D.

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1966
B.A.
with honor

Birth Information:
Born in 1945
Caldwell, Idaho, January 16, 1945

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1981); State Bar of California.

Education

University of San Francisco Juris Doctorate, 1969


Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Richard H. Cochran

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Phi Delta Phi.

Areas of Law:
-Business Law
-General Practice
-Wills
-Trusts
-Probate
-Trust Administration

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1973, California

Law School Attended:
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
Class of 1973
J.D.

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1965
B.A.

Birth Information:
Born in 1943
Dinuba, California, March 19, 1943

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1990); State Bar of California.

Education

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
Juris Doctorate, 1973

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Richard H. Cochran

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Phi Delta Phi.

Areas of Law:
-Business Law
-General Practice
-Wills
-Trusts
-Probate
-Trust Administration

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1973, California

Law School Attended:
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
Class of 1973
J.D.

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1965
B.A.

Birth Information:
Born in 1943
Dinuba, California, March 19, 1943

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1990); State Bar of California.

Education

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific Juris Doctorate, 1973


Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Glenn A. Stanton

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Areas of Law:
-Real Estate
-Landlord and Tenant Law
-Construction Law
-Trusts and Estates
-Corporate Law
-Business Law

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1976, California and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

Law School Attended:
Pepperdine University School of Law
Class of 1976
J.D.

Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1972
B.A.

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 2003-2004); State Bar of California (Member, Real Property Law Section); Tulare County Trial Lawyers (Past Director).

Education

Pepperdine University School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1976

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Glenn A. Stanton

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Areas of Law:
-Real Estate
-Landlord and Tenant Law
-Construction Law
-Trusts and Estates
-Corporate Law
-Business Law

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1976, California and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

Law School Attended:
Pepperdine University School of Law
Class of 1976
J.D.

Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1972
B.A.

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 2003-2004); State Bar of California (Member, Real Property Law Section); Tulare County Trial Lawyers (Past Director).

Education

Pepperdine University School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1976


Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
D. Zackary Smith

Attorney in Visalia, CA
Associate Editor, Santa Clara Law Review, 1981-1982.

Areas of Law:
-Water Law
-Business Law
-Real Estate
-Construction Law
-Estate Planning
-Probate

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1982, California and U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of California

Law School Attended:
University of Santa Clara
Class of 1982
J.D.

University Attended:
Brigham Young University
Class of 1978
B.S.

Birth Information:
Born in 1954
Big Spring, Texas, August 19, 1954

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association; State Bar of California.

Education

University of Santa Clara
Juris Doctorate, 1982

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
D. Zackary Smith

Attorney in Visalia, CA
Associate Editor, Santa Clara Law Review, 1981-1982.

Areas of Law:
-Water Law
-Business Law
-Real Estate
-Construction Law
-Estate Planning
-Probate

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1982, California and U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of California

Law School Attended:
University of Santa Clara
Class of 1982
J.D.

University Attended:
Brigham Young University
Class of 1978
B.S.

Birth Information:
Born in 1954
Big Spring, Texas, August 19, 1954

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association; State Bar of California.

Education

University of Santa Clara Juris Doctorate, 1982


Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Matthew W. Bixler

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Member, Board of Directors, and Former President of the Tulare-Kings County Estate Planning Council.

Areas of Law:
-Business Law
-Real Estate
-Construction Law
-Eminent Domain
-Zoning Law
-Land Use
-Trusts and Estates
-Homeowners Association Law
-Estate Planning
-Wills
-Probate
-Civil Litigation
-Business Litigation
-Partnership Law
-Corporate Law

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1996, California and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

Law School Attended:
University of California at Los Angeles
Class of 1996
J.D.

University Attended:
Pepperdine University
Class of 1993
B.S.
magna cum laude

Birth Information:
Born in 1971
Tulare, California, June 9, 1971

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association; State Bar of California.

Education

University of California at Los Angeles
Juris Doctorate, 1996

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Matthew W. Bixler

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Member, Board of Directors, and Former President of the Tulare-Kings County Estate Planning Council.

Areas of Law:
-Business Law
-Real Estate
-Construction Law
-Eminent Domain
-Zoning Law
-Land Use
-Trusts and Estates
-Homeowners Association Law
-Estate Planning
-Wills
-Probate
-Civil Litigation
-Business Litigation
-Partnership Law
-Corporate Law

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1996, California and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

Law School Attended:
University of California at Los Angeles
Class of 1996
J.D.

University Attended:
Pepperdine University
Class of 1993
B.S.
magna cum laude

Birth Information:
Born in 1971
Tulare, California, June 9, 1971

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association; State Bar of California.

Education

University of California at Los Angeles Juris Doctorate, 1996


Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Daniel L. Evans

Associate

Daniel L. Evans was born and raised in Visalia, California. He graduated summa cum laude from La Sierra University in Riverside, California with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2010. He received his Juris Doctor in 2013 from Chapman University School of Law. At Chapman, Mr. Evans served as the Production Editor of Chapman's Nexus Journal of Law and Policy and a mediator in the Superior Court of Riverside County through Chapman Law's Mediation Clinic.

While attending law school, Mr. Evans worked as a law clerk and intern for several law firms, the Orange County Office of the County Counsel, and the Superior Court of Orange County.

Mr. Evans' areas of practice include business law, estate planning, trust administration and probate, and real estate law.

Areas of Practice:
-Business Law
-Estate Planning
-Trust Administration and Probate
-Real Estate Law

Bar Admissions:
-California, 2013
-U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 2013

Education:
Chapman University School of Law, Orange, California
J.D. - 2013

La Sierra University, Riverside, California
B.A. summa cum laude
Major: History

Professional Associations and Memberships:
-State Bar of California, Member, 2013 - Present
-Tulare County Bar Association, Member, 2013 - Present

Past Employment Positions:
-Orange County Superior Court, Legal Research Intern, 2013
-Orange County Office of the County Counsel, Intern, 2012

Education

Chapman University School of Law, Orange, California
Juris Doctorate, 2013

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Daniel L. Evans

Associate

Daniel L. Evans was born and raised in Visalia, California. He graduated summa cum laude from La Sierra University in Riverside, California with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2010. He received his Juris Doctor in 2013 from Chapman University School of Law. At Chapman, Mr. Evans served as the Production Editor of Chapman's Nexus Journal of Law and Policy and a mediator in the Superior Court of Riverside County through Chapman Law's Mediation Clinic.

While attending law school, Mr. Evans worked as a law clerk and intern for several law firms, the Orange County Office of the County Counsel, and the Superior Court of Orange County.

Mr. Evans' areas of practice include business law, estate planning, trust administration and probate, and real estate law.

Areas of Practice:
-Business Law
-Estate Planning
-Trust Administration and Probate
-Real Estate Law

Bar Admissions:
-California, 2013
-U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 2013

Education:
Chapman University School of Law, Orange, California
J.D. - 2013

La Sierra University, Riverside, California
B.A. summa cum laude
Major: History

Professional Associations and Memberships:
-State Bar of California, Member, 2013 - Present
-Tulare County Bar Association, Member, 2013 - Present

Past Employment Positions:
-Orange County Superior Court, Legal Research Intern, 2013
-Orange County Office of the County Counsel, Intern, 2012

Education

Chapman University School of Law, Orange, California Juris Doctorate, 2013


Firm Overview

The law firm of Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP meets the legal needs of individuals, families, businesses, farmers, real estate developers and others throughout the local community and beyond our local boundaries. Our experienced lawyers and staff are dedicated to providing professional and effective legal services in a wide variety of areas, including Business Law, Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer, Probate, Civil Litigation, and Water Law.
Our firm was founded over 100 years ago and remains the oldest and most trusted continuously running law firm in Tulare County. Our firm has grown and evolved along with the local community and our local businesses for several generations. Although the firm is involved in traditional legal matters affecting all businesses and individuals, it particularly enjoys being involved in new, innovative and challenging issues and developments having far-reaching future implications.

The firm has achieved the highest rating for legal ability in Martindale-Hubbell.

Main Office

Main Office
1102 North Chinowth Street
Visalia, CA 93291

Phone

559-733-5770

Fax

559-733-4922

Business

Our business law services assist area businesses throughout the entirety of their operations.

We handle business formation, ongoing business transactions, business dissolutions and dispute resolution. Ruddell Cochran Stanton Smith & Bixler, LLP can meet the varied legal needs you and your business may experience.

Comprehensive business law services in the San Joaquin Valley:
As the oldest continuously operating law firm in Tulare County, our firm has advised businesses through many changes in our many years of practice. We have substantial experience identifying the goals of business owners and developing strategies to reach those goals. Our attorneys offer complete business law services in the following areas:

Business formation: We work closely with business owners during the critical beginning stages of business formation. Depending on the type of business, number of partners, liabilities and other factors, we advise on choice of entity. We handle formation of entities such as corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability companies (LLCs).

Ongoing business transactions: We meet the ongoing legal needs of businesses in the areas of company mergers and acquisitions, stock sales, asset sales, buy-sell agreements, cross-purchase programs, entity purchase programs, business reorganizations and sales contracts.

Business litigation: Our firm protects the rights of business owners involved in business disputes, breach of contract claims, creditor actions, business dissolutions and more. We participate in mediation, arbitration and litigation, pursuing the method most pertinent to your situation.

Family business reorganizations: Our lawyers frequently represent family farms of significant wealth. Farms often involve multi-generational relationships. We can guide you and your family through farm reorganizations, restructuring and spinoffs. This is often done in partnership with our estate planning services, which focus heavily on wealth transfer.

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Gary H. Ruddell

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Mr. Ruddell was born in Caldwell, Idaho, on January 16, 1945. He is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara (B.A. cum laude, 1966) and University of San Francisco (J.D., 1969). Mr. Ruddell was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1970. He is a member of the Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1981) and the State Bar of California. Mr. Ruddell, in addition to business formation, real estate acquisition and sales, and other transactional work, focuses on estate planning utilizing wealth transfer programs for families with large estates, probate and trust administration. He continues to handle real property development, both commercial and residential. Recent projects include Mary's Vineyard, Rancho Viejo, and Key West Shopping Centers in Visalia, California; Del Lago, a 620-acre community development in Tulare, California; The Courtyards, a 20-acre commercial and office complex; Shannon Ranch, a 600-acre residential and commercial development in Visalia, California; Village West, a 30-acre commercial project and Marsh Street Commons, a mixed use residential and commercial condominium project in San Luis Obispo, California.

Areas of Law:
-Estate Planning
-Business Law
-Business Transactions
-Contracts
-Real Estate
-Residential Land Use
-Probate
-Estate Administration
-Trusts and Estates
-Wills
-Commercial Land Use

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
-Admitted in 1970, California
-1970, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
-1970, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Law School Attended:
University of San Francisco
Class of 1969
J.D.

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1966
B.A.
with honor

Birth Information:
Born in 1945
Caldwell, Idaho, January 16, 1945

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1981); State Bar of California.

Education

University of San Francisco
Juris Doctorate, 1969

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Gary H. Ruddell

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Mr. Ruddell was born in Caldwell, Idaho, on January 16, 1945. He is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara (B.A. cum laude, 1966) and University of San Francisco (J.D., 1969). Mr. Ruddell was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1970. He is a member of the Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1981) and the State Bar of California. Mr. Ruddell, in addition to business formation, real estate acquisition and sales, and other transactional work, focuses on estate planning utilizing wealth transfer programs for families with large estates, probate and trust administration. He continues to handle real property development, both commercial and residential. Recent projects include Mary's Vineyard, Rancho Viejo, and Key West Shopping Centers in Visalia, California; Del Lago, a 620-acre community development in Tulare, California; The Courtyards, a 20-acre commercial and office complex; Shannon Ranch, a 600-acre residential and commercial development in Visalia, California; Village West, a 30-acre commercial project and Marsh Street Commons, a mixed use residential and commercial condominium project in San Luis Obispo, California.

Areas of Law:
-Estate Planning
-Business Law
-Business Transactions
-Contracts
-Real Estate
-Residential Land Use
-Probate
-Estate Administration
-Trusts and Estates
-Wills
-Commercial Land Use

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
-Admitted in 1970, California
-1970, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
-1970, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Law School Attended:
University of San Francisco
Class of 1969
J.D.

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1966
B.A.
with honor

Birth Information:
Born in 1945
Caldwell, Idaho, January 16, 1945

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1981); State Bar of California.

Education

University of San Francisco Juris Doctorate, 1969


Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Richard H. Cochran

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Phi Delta Phi.

Areas of Law:
-Business Law
-General Practice
-Wills
-Trusts
-Probate
-Trust Administration

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1973, California

Law School Attended:
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
Class of 1973
J.D.

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1965
B.A.

Birth Information:
Born in 1943
Dinuba, California, March 19, 1943

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1990); State Bar of California.

Education

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
Juris Doctorate, 1973

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Richard H. Cochran

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Phi Delta Phi.

Areas of Law:
-Business Law
-General Practice
-Wills
-Trusts
-Probate
-Trust Administration

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1973, California

Law School Attended:
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
Class of 1973
J.D.

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1965
B.A.

Birth Information:
Born in 1943
Dinuba, California, March 19, 1943

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 1990); State Bar of California.

Education

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific Juris Doctorate, 1973


Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Glenn A. Stanton

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Areas of Law:
-Real Estate
-Landlord and Tenant Law
-Construction Law
-Trusts and Estates
-Corporate Law
-Business Law

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1976, California and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

Law School Attended:
Pepperdine University School of Law
Class of 1976
J.D.

Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1972
B.A.

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 2003-2004); State Bar of California (Member, Real Property Law Section); Tulare County Trial Lawyers (Past Director).

Education

Pepperdine University School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1976

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Glenn A. Stanton

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Areas of Law:
-Real Estate
-Landlord and Tenant Law
-Construction Law
-Trusts and Estates
-Corporate Law
-Business Law

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1976, California and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

Law School Attended:
Pepperdine University School of Law
Class of 1976
J.D.

Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law

University Attended:
University of California at Santa Barbara
Class of 1972
B.A.

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association (President, 2003-2004); State Bar of California (Member, Real Property Law Section); Tulare County Trial Lawyers (Past Director).

Education

Pepperdine University School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1976


Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
D. Zackary Smith

Attorney in Visalia, CA
Associate Editor, Santa Clara Law Review, 1981-1982.

Areas of Law:
-Water Law
-Business Law
-Real Estate
-Construction Law
-Estate Planning
-Probate

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1982, California and U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of California

Law School Attended:
University of Santa Clara
Class of 1982
J.D.

University Attended:
Brigham Young University
Class of 1978
B.S.

Birth Information:
Born in 1954
Big Spring, Texas, August 19, 1954

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association; State Bar of California.

Education

University of Santa Clara
Juris Doctorate, 1982

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
D. Zackary Smith

Attorney in Visalia, CA
Associate Editor, Santa Clara Law Review, 1981-1982.

Areas of Law:
-Water Law
-Business Law
-Real Estate
-Construction Law
-Estate Planning
-Probate

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1982, California and U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of California

Law School Attended:
University of Santa Clara
Class of 1982
J.D.

University Attended:
Brigham Young University
Class of 1978
B.S.

Birth Information:
Born in 1954
Big Spring, Texas, August 19, 1954

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association; State Bar of California.

Education

University of Santa Clara Juris Doctorate, 1982


Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Matthew W. Bixler

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Member, Board of Directors, and Former President of the Tulare-Kings County Estate Planning Council.

Areas of Law:
-Business Law
-Real Estate
-Construction Law
-Eminent Domain
-Zoning Law
-Land Use
-Trusts and Estates
-Homeowners Association Law
-Estate Planning
-Wills
-Probate
-Civil Litigation
-Business Litigation
-Partnership Law
-Corporate Law

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1996, California and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

Law School Attended:
University of California at Los Angeles
Class of 1996
J.D.

University Attended:
Pepperdine University
Class of 1993
B.S.
magna cum laude

Birth Information:
Born in 1971
Tulare, California, June 9, 1971

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association; State Bar of California.

Education

University of California at Los Angeles
Juris Doctorate, 1996

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Matthew W. Bixler

Attorney in Visalia, CA

Member, Board of Directors, and Former President of the Tulare-Kings County Estate Planning Council.

Areas of Law:
-Business Law
-Real Estate
-Construction Law
-Eminent Domain
-Zoning Law
-Land Use
-Trusts and Estates
-Homeowners Association Law
-Estate Planning
-Wills
-Probate
-Civil Litigation
-Business Litigation
-Partnership Law
-Corporate Law

Experience & Credentials:

Position:
Partner

Admission Details:
Admitted in 1996, California and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

Law School Attended:
University of California at Los Angeles
Class of 1996
J.D.

University Attended:
Pepperdine University
Class of 1993
B.S.
magna cum laude

Birth Information:
Born in 1971
Tulare, California, June 9, 1971

Associations & Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association; State Bar of California.

Education

University of California at Los Angeles Juris Doctorate, 1996


Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Daniel L. Evans

Associate

Daniel L. Evans was born and raised in Visalia, California. He graduated summa cum laude from La Sierra University in Riverside, California with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2010. He received his Juris Doctor in 2013 from Chapman University School of Law. At Chapman, Mr. Evans served as the Production Editor of Chapman's Nexus Journal of Law and Policy and a mediator in the Superior Court of Riverside County through Chapman Law's Mediation Clinic.

While attending law school, Mr. Evans worked as a law clerk and intern for several law firms, the Orange County Office of the County Counsel, and the Superior Court of Orange County.

Mr. Evans' areas of practice include business law, estate planning, trust administration and probate, and real estate law.

Areas of Practice:
-Business Law
-Estate Planning
-Trust Administration and Probate
-Real Estate Law

Bar Admissions:
-California, 2013
-U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 2013

Education:
Chapman University School of Law, Orange, California
J.D. - 2013

La Sierra University, Riverside, California
B.A. summa cum laude
Major: History

Professional Associations and Memberships:
-State Bar of California, Member, 2013 - Present
-Tulare County Bar Association, Member, 2013 - Present

Past Employment Positions:
-Orange County Superior Court, Legal Research Intern, 2013
-Orange County Office of the County Counsel, Intern, 2012

Education

Chapman University School of Law, Orange, California
Juris Doctorate, 2013

Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith & Bixler, LLP
Daniel L. Evans

Associate

Daniel L. Evans was born and raised in Visalia, California. He graduated summa cum laude from La Sierra University in Riverside, California with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2010. He received his Juris Doctor in 2013 from Chapman University School of Law. At Chapman, Mr. Evans served as the Production Editor of Chapman's Nexus Journal of Law and Policy and a mediator in the Superior Court of Riverside County through Chapman Law's Mediation Clinic.

While attending law school, Mr. Evans worked as a law clerk and intern for several law firms, the Orange County Office of the County Counsel, and the Superior Court of Orange County.

Mr. Evans' areas of practice include business law, estate planning, trust administration and probate, and real estate law.

Areas of Practice:
-Business Law
-Estate Planning
-Trust Administration and Probate
-Real Estate Law

Bar Admissions:
-California, 2013
-U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 2013

Education:
Chapman University School of Law, Orange, California
J.D. - 2013

La Sierra University, Riverside, California
B.A. summa cum laude
Major: History

Professional Associations and Memberships:
-State Bar of California, Member, 2013 - Present
-Tulare County Bar Association, Member, 2013 - Present

Past Employment Positions:
-Orange County Superior Court, Legal Research Intern, 2013
-Orange County Office of the County Counsel, Intern, 2012

Education

Chapman University School of Law, Orange, California Juris Doctorate, 2013


Contact Us