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Gregory R. Brockbank
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Gregory R. Brockbank
Marin Law Center
101 Lucas Valley Road
Suite 380
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: (415) 472-4400 | Fax: (415) 472-7400
http://www.marinlawcenter.com
Affordable Fees - Consultations to Full Representation
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
Individuals or couples who want to avoid probate by getting a Living Trust, Pour-over will, and two Durable Powers of Attorney.
Sub-Categories
Estate Planning
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
We do brief consultations to full representation at low hourly fees. We can often provide the advice needed for clients to represent the matter themselves. We can also prepare all the forms necessary for an eviction or eviction defense, and appear in court if necessary.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Renting & Leasing
- Renting & Leasing
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
Although we can do complex litigious divorces, we specialize in low flat fees in relatively simple and uncontested divorces.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Child Support
- Custody
- Visitation
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
Although we can do complex litigious divorces, we specialize in low flat fees in relatively simple and uncontested divorces.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
Individuals or couples who want to avoid probate by getting a Living Trust, Pour-over will, and two Durable Powers of Attorney.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 7
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1985
Bar Number: 121349
Other Court Admissions
Only the standard one that comes with passage of the bar and being sworn in. (I don't have the separate admission to argue in front of the State Supreme Court.)
Association Memberships
Marin County Bar Association
Continuing Education
I have taken numerous courses both from our local Marin County Bar Association, and also from private providers, on family law, divorce law, and estate planning.
Example Cases
Divorce: Many dozens of relatively uncontested cases, plus a few highly contested cases; Landlord/Tenant law: 100+ tenant representations (consultations to full representation), plus several dozen landlord representations (consultations to full representations); Living Trust Packages: several dozen living trust packages.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
San Francisco State University
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1975
Focus and Accomplishments:
I was the Student Representative on the School Creative Arts Council from the Theatre Arts Department. I received my B.A. in Theatre Arts, having stage-managed a grand opera, among numerous other shows I performed in and worked on crews for, and as a graduate student, designed lights for numerous other shows as well.
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Hastings College of the Law
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1985
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Founded in 1994 as Lawyers on Duty by Fred A Rico Hurvich, Esq., and renamed Marin Law Center in 1999. Originally a general civil practice non-litigation firm, we now do litigation as well since I, new managing partner (and now owner), joined the firm in 2002. We continue to emphasize low fees through low hourly rates, and flat fees (where appropriate) for relatively uncontested divorces and living trust packages.
Previous Employment Summary
Before I was the owner of Marin Law Center, I had a general civil law practice in San Rafael for the past 20 years, since graduating from law school and passing the bar exam.
Activities and Awards
I have been extremely active in the community as well during the past 20 years, having served on the boards of several dozen civic and political organizations.
I am a long-time member of the Affordable Housing Committee of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce (now called the "Advocates for Housing and Economic Development"). I am also a 16-year member of the College of Marin Board of Trustees (currently the Board President). Also, the current President of the Social Justice Center of Marin, and a candidate for Chair of the Marin Democratic Party.
Further political information about myself, and my current campaign for State Assembly, may be found at www.gregbrockbank.com.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
We have always emphasized giving the clients the option to educate themselves, primarily by offering them one of the Nolo Press books we sell in our lobby.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We frequently review documents prepared by clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
We frequently coach clients for Small Claims Court, and even Superior Court, by role-playing, and advising them on documentation and key points that should be made.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided that I wanted to help everyday people solve their everyday legal problems by advising them, negotiating for them, drafting documents for them, and going to court for them when necessary.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My work experience prior to becoming an attorney is not terribly relevant, but my community service experience for the past 20 years is.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I became interested in landlord tenant law because I was an apartment manager before and during law school. I became interested in family law because there is so much need for low-cost divorce attorneys who help people get through a difficult situation without making things worse, as too many divorce attorneys do. And I do living trust packages in order to spare people the waste of time and attorney fees inherent in the probate process.
What do you like best about your career?
I derive great satisfaction out of providing clear, concise, affordable legal advice for clients, and enjoy the smiles on their faces when I make something clear, relieve their minds from worry, and/or solve their problems.
Tell us about your law firm:
I use paralegals as needed, including Cynthia Ruyf, who worked 19 years for one of the top certified family law practitioners in the county. My office manager/receptionist/legal secretary is Tamara Sauer, who has been with the firm for over 10 years, and is a wonderful initial and ongoing point of contact for clients.
What are your strengths and style?
Wanting to explain things in the clearest and most concise way possible, at the lowest possible hourly rate, so clients can get what they need with a minimum of time and money. I also like to think I provide first-rate service and representation.
Sometimes people hire a lawyer to be a "shark", but I submit that people are better off with civil, reasonable people, and I think I am one of those.
Personal Interests:
Civic and political organizations (I've served on several dozen boards and chaired a dozen), newspaper reading, and exercising.
Office Manager/Assistant
Tamara Sauer
Fax
(415) 472-7400
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Under $1,000 for relatively uncontested divorces, depending on real estate, minor children, and other factors. Living Trust packages are $700 for individuals and $900 for couples.
Hourly Rates
$220 per hour for attorney time billed in 15-minute increments.
Free Initial Consultation?
Based on $220 per hour, in 15-minute increments ($55 per quarter hour)
Typical Retainer
Typically, we don't charge a retainer, but we may ask for an estimated flat fee, almost always less than $1,000.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
