Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Hinton.
Hi Katherine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in San Francisco, making me a sixth generation San Franciscan and a California native. I aspired to be an attorney since my childhood. I was inspired by several attorney family members on my mother’s side of the family, and my father’s work as a San Francisco Police Lieutenant fostered an early appreciation for the justice system. My father used to bring me to the courthouse to observe proceedings first-hand. I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science in three years, and went directly to law school in Los Angeles, where I earned my Juris Doctor degree in 2015 and passed the California state bar at 24 years old. During law school, I gained valuable experience through internships with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, White Collar Crime Unit, Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation and Guidance Software. My first job out of law school was a continuation of my Lions Gate internship, working in-house in the Office of the General Counsel. After graduation, I continued at Lions Gate in the Office of the General Counsel before pursuing my passion for real estate, wills, and trusts as an Associate at a Los Angeles law firm. Eventually, I began taking on my own cases and founded my own firm. I am licensed to practice law in California, before all district courts, the Central District of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Considering my work with real estate law and passion for real estate, I also hold a California real estate broker’s license.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No path is ever easy, but every obstacle has been a valuable learning experience. One of the greatest challenges is managing a demanding case load with the high standard I require in all my work. I do not believe succeeding in a demanding career is about balance, but rather about prioritizing and efficiency. I do not only prioritize tasks by day, but more so by week or month. At any given time, I am always aware of the trials, mediations and depositions I have at minimum within the next two months. Prioritizing and planning my work a month, week, or weeks in advance changed my efficiency and work product for better. Learning to prioritize tasks beyond just the present day allows for growth, preparation and ensures I am never “behind.” A full schedule pushed me to refine my systems and routines to seamlessly operate. My system includes calendar alerts and alarms on my phone for every call, deadline and meeting. Once I had the proper routines in place, I could easily organize my calendar to allow me the time and focus needed to conduct client meetings, draft estate plans, engage in mediations, take and defend depositions, and prepare for trial simultaneously without missing a beat.
As you know, we’re big fans of KMH Law Group. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I focus on real estate and wills & trusts matters, two areas of law that are closely connected. On the wills and trusts side, I handle litigation and transactional matters. My litigation cases involve the challenge or defending of wills and trusts based on undue influence, fraud, duress or lack of testamentary capacity allegations. I also handle disputes regarding inactive or negligent successor trustees, drafting errors, and probate administration, which is required when a person dies without a trust, or with only a will.
In addition to litigation, I provide comprehensive estate planning services, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, real estate deeds, corporation and limited liability company services. Many people own real estate, one of the many interplays between wills & trusts and real estate. I offer real estate litigation services including title issues, lot-line disputes, easements, restrictive covenants, nondisclosure in real estate sales, and partition actions, a very common dispute that arises when co-owners disagree on selling a property.
What sets my practice apart is the dual perspective I bring as both a litigator and a drafter. My courtroom experience gives me insight into the common mistakes that make an estate plan vulnerable or ripe for litigation, allowing me to draft documents that are airtight and stand up in court. Likewise, as a drafter, I know what must be included in documentation and can easily litigate these issues. My drafting experience also gives me the precision necessary to effectively litigate will, trust and real estate issues.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the ocean and I will never get enough of it. My favorite time of year at the beach is September through November, when it still feels like summer, but the summer-time crowds have left. Most of my time at the beach is spent with my two young children, my husband, our dog, and my parents, who rarely miss time with their grandchildren.
Pricing:
- Estate Planning Services are offered at a flat rate fee.
- Litigation Services are billed hourly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kmhlawgroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmhlaw/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KMHLawGroup
