Brad N. Baker

• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Estate Planning
• Trust and Estates

Brad brings a sophisticated yet common sense approach to estate planning. He offers a highly personalized approach that takes into account the individual situation and goals of each of his clients, creating an estate plan that reflects their needs and wishes. Brad’s substantial background in family law helps him to understand and anticipate the generational issues involved in developing an effective estate plan. Brad has experience in both federal and state courts. Since the late 1980s he has concentrated his practice on trusts, estate planning and probate, including litigation in these areas.

Because of Brad’s extensive work in probate litigation throughout his career, he knows the litigation process well and is careful to keep his clients out of the courtroom through strategic drafting. “I can tell my clients come in apprehensive,” he says, “and leave with greater peace of mind. The process wasn’t nearly as rigorous and complicated as they’d feared.” Brad has over 48 years of civil and probate litigation experience ranging from multiple billion-dollar class action matters, arguing breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA before the U.S. Supreme Court, jury trials in both civil and criminal matters, and judge trials in family law and probate.  

Brad has been successful over the years in getting parties to a “safe place” via settlements.  The uncertainties of litigation are far from “a safe place”, and the time and expense of litigation must be a major factor to be considered not just in the initial stages of litigation, but throughout the duration of the matter.  However, if litigation is the path that needs to be taken, our firm is extremely well equipped to not only litigate, but also to actually bring trial experience to bear in the courtroom. Brad’s credibility with the courts and with fellow attorneys assists in moving matters to resolution.

After volunteering with Venice Legal Aid, Brad embarked on a partnership with law school classmate Kent Burton and they established Baker and Burton in May of 1976 in Venice and later moved to Hermosa in 1980. Albro Lundy III joined the firm in 1994, adding his litigation skills to the team. “I prefer to think of myself as a counselor of law,” Brad says. He is a third generation Southern California resident and enjoys being with interesting people any time in any setting. He considers himself to be one of the most fortunate individuals on earth to get to associate with wonderful clients and to share the journey with marvelous co-workers and partners as the firm has grown over the years.

His current practice focuses on estate planning and probate/trust litigation. Brad is one of the few attorneys who has had the privilege of arguing twice before the United States Supreme Court as well as twice being a member of the “Billion Dollar Club” for his role in the energy class action settlements. He is a member of the California State Bar Association and the Los Angeles County and South Bay Bar Associations. He also is the current chairperson for the non-profit board of H.E.L.P., Helping Elders Live Productively, to help provide seniors with services that assist with the mental health of our senior population.