Probate Litigation Bootcamp

as of 8/20/25 3:00 p.m. registration has closed due to maximum capacity.  

The all-day Bootcamp will cover probate litigation from Petition to Trial, with presentations by attorneys and judges.  

Topics

• Petitions and Oppositions
• Attacking the Pleadings: Demurrer, Anti-SLAP and MSJ
• Discovery after Death: Planning and Executing Discovery that Actually Helps
• Tools for Protecting the Vulnerable: Probate Elder Abuse Restraining Orders, Financial Elders Abuse Actions and Attachments
• Attacking and Defending the Fiduciary: Fiduciary Duties; Suspension and Removal; Accountings; Clawbacks, Surcharge, and Attorney’s Fees
• Tee'ing Up the Case for Mediation
• Evidence, Trial, Motions in Limine, Experts, Damages, and Remedies

Keynote Speaker

Honorable Stephen M. Murphy San Francisco Superior Court

Presenters

Honorable Mary E. Wiss San Francisco Superior Court	Honorable Sandra K. Bean Alameda County Superior Court	Frank Busch Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass	Honorable Ana Maria Luna, Ret. Signature Resolution	Honorable Roger L. Lund Ventura Superior Court
Ciarán O'Sullivan Law Offices of Ciarán O'Sullivan	Stacie Polashuk Nelson Holland & Knight	Honorable Glen M. Reiser, Ret. JAMS	John S. Rueppel JKZ	Alicia Gámez Gamez Law
Fred C. Crombie Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass

Panel I: On Your Marks: Petitions and their Responses
Speakers
Honorable Glen M. Reiser, Ret., JAMS
Alicia Gamez, Gámez Law 
Topics
· What are the Elements of a Probate Petition?
· Action versus Special Proceeding
· Probate and Civil Procedure
· Reponses to Petition - Options and Risks

Time: 9:05 - 10:05 a.m. | MCLE:  1 Hour of Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialization Credit
Panel II: Attacking the Pleadings: Demurrer, Anti-SLAP and MSJ
Speakers
Honorable Ana Maria Luna, Ret., Signature Resolution
Ciarán O'Sullivan, Law Offices of Ciarán O'Sullivan
Fred C. Crombie, Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass
Topics
· Challenging the Judge
· Motions to Disqualify Opposing Counsel
· Demurrers
· Anti-SLAPP
· Motions for Judgment on the Pleadings
· Motion for Summary Judgment/Adjudication
· Five Year Rule

Time: 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. | MCLE:  1 Hour of Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialization Credit
Panel III: Discovery after Death: Planning and Executing Discovery that Actually Helps
Speakers
Honorable Mary E. Wiss, San Francisco Superior Court
Frank Busch, Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass
Topics
· Discovery options
· Probate-specific strategies
· Practical tips to create value

Time: 11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. | MCLE:  1 Hour of Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialization Credit
Panel IV: Tools for Protecting the Vulnerable: Probate Elder Abuse Restraining Orders, Financial Elders Abuse Actions and Attachments
Speakers
Honorable Ana Maria Luna, Ret., Signature Resolution
Frank Busch, Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass
Topics
· What qualifies as elder/dependent adult abuse
· Who can seek an EARO (standing issues)
· Steps to obtain/defend against an EARO
· Enforcement of EARO, including fees
· Elder abuse attachments

Time: 12:40 - 1:10 p.m. | MCLE: .5 Hours of Civility
Panel V: Civility in the Legal Profession
Keynote Speaker
Honorable Stephen M. Murphy, San Francisco Superior Court
Topics
· Best practices in and outside of court
· Trial and judicial civility
· The role of sanctions

Time: 1:20 - 2:50 p.m. | MCLE:  1.5 Hours of Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialization Credit
Panel VI: Attacking and Defending the Fiduciary: Fiduciary Duties; Suspension and Removal; Accountings; Clawbacks, Surcharge, and Attorney’s Fees
Speakers
Honorable Sandra K. Bean, Alameda County Superior Court
Honorable Roger L. Lund, Ventura Superior Court
Topics
· Fiduciary Duties
· Accountings 
· Attorney’s Fees
· Suspension and Removal
· Surcharge
· Claw backs

Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | MCLE:  1 Hour of Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialization Credit
Panel VII: Tee'ing Up the Case for Mediation
Speakers
Honorable Glen M. Reiser, Ret., JAMS
Honorable Roger L. Lund, Ventura Superior Court
Honorable Ana Maria Luna, Ret., Signature Resolution
Honorable Sandra K. Bean, Alameda County Superior Court
Topics
· What preparation is appropriate?
· Information: Discovery or Accountings?
· Role of the Fiduciary
· Role of the Mediator
· Mediator's proposal
· Court Approval

Time: 4:05 - 5:05 p.m. | MCLE:  1 Hour of Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialization Credit
Panel VIII: Crossing the Finish Line: Evidence, Trial, Motions in Limine, Experts, Damages, and Remedies
Speakers
John S. Rueppel, JKZ
Stacie Polashuk Nelson, Holland & Knight
Topics
· Insights into preparing for trial including a pretrial checklist 100 days out to trial
· Importance of the trial brief and educating the judge
· The ins and outs of working with and presenting experts
· Post trial work including briefing, motions and statements of decision

Reception immediately follows.

Section Chairs
Alicia Gámez, Law Office of Alicia M. Gámez and Frank Busch, Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass

Event Code: G250510
For a printable flyer, click here.
For related events, click here. 

Cost

To Register

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2. Select Proceed to Checkout to enter payment information, then Submit Order to complete the registration process.

Program Access
This is an in-Person program only.  Virtual access will not be available. This conference will not be recorded. 

For the "Probate Litigation Bootcamp" program  reservations are finalized 15 days before the event, and BASF has already paid in full for each registration. Therefore, cancellations or refund requests after 8/6/25 cannot be accepted. For cancellations before this deadline, a $10 handling fee will be deducted from your refund. Please complete the Event Cancellation Form and direct any questions to events@sfbar.org.

For CLE events longer than 1.5 hours, and for special events such as conferences, symposiums, professional development training programs, a 50% refund is available if you cancel at least 10 business days prior to the event. Please complete the Event Cancellation Form.  If you are unable to attend, you may send a substitute. Please complete the Event Cancellation Form.

MCLE Notice
To receive MCLE credit, you must sign in during the designated MCLE registration period. This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. BASF is a certified provider: Provider #103

Accessibility
People with disabilities and/or special requests should contact BASF regarding reasonable accommodations.