Business Details
44 Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Ventura & Westlake Village
Since our founding in 1982, we have attracted some of the best and brightest legal minds to become the largest law firm in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. Our two full-service offices in Westlake Village and Ventura provide expert counsel across 15 specialized practice groups, including civil litigation, estate planning, taxation, business transactions, and family law. Guiding Californians through complex transactions and legal challenges, our attorneys combine cutting-edge expertise with personalized service, making us a leading choice for businesses and individuals.Our team includes current and past officers of the State Bar of California, business leaders, entrepreneurs, law professors, and former Deputy District Attorneys and Public Defenders. We are deeply committed to community service through pro bono work and active participation in civic, professional, and charitable organizations. With over four decades of dedication to excellence, we continue to provide experienced, committed legal counsel rooted in local knowledge and a passion for serving our clients and community.
Services
Business Transactions
Estate Planning
Civil Litigation
Family Law
Taxation
Real Estate Law
Intellectual Property
Employment Litigation
Environmental Law
Personal Injury
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience serving California clients.
- Our team includes certified specialists in estate planning and appellate law.
- We offer 15 specialized practice groups to address diverse legal needs.
- Our attorneys hold leadership roles in state and local bar associations.
- We combine big-firm expertise with personalized service and local roots.
Associations and certifications
- The State Bar of California
Services
Business Transactions
Our Business Transactions practice advises clients on mergers, acquisitions, contracts, and corporate governance. We provide strategic counsel to businesses of all sizes, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations while protecting client interests. Our attorneys have decades of experience in structuring and negotiating complex commercial deals.
Estate Planning
We help individuals create comprehensive estate plans through wills, trusts, and advanced directives. Our certified specialists design strategies to minimize tax liabilities, protect assets, and ensure smooth wealth transfer. We also assist with probate and trust administration matters across California.
Civil Litigation
Our Civil Litigation team represents clients in complex disputes involving contracts, real estate, and business conflicts. We combine trial-ready advocacy with strategic settlement approaches to achieve favorable outcomes. The practice includes appellate specialists handling high-stakes appeals and writ proceedings.
Family Law
We handle all aspects of family law including divorce, child custody, support, and property division. Our attorneys provide compassionate yet aggressive representation, prioritizing clients' interests while navigating emotionally sensitive matters with professionalism and discretion.
Real Estate Law
Our Real Estate practice covers land use, zoning, development, and transactional matters. We represent developers, property owners, and public agencies in matters involving commercial and residential properties, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and local ordinances.
People
Neal P. Maguire
Managing Partner
Neal P. Maguire leads the firm as Managing Partner, bringing decades of experience in business litigation and corporate governance. He actively mentors junior attorneys and maintains leadership roles in the Ventura County Bar Association.
John C. Orr
Founding Partner
Founding Partner John C. Orr specializes in trusts and estates, combining legal expertise with practical insights from his background as a local rancher. He has shaped the firm's community-focused values since its 1982 founding.
David B. Shea
Partner
David B. Shea is a certified specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law. He authors legal analyses on nonprobate assets and advises clients on complex estate planning strategies to protect their legacies.
Jessica M. Wan
Partner
Jessica Wan contributes her intellectual property expertise to the firm's technology and innovation practice group. She represents clients in trademark, patent, and copyright matters across various industries.
Wendy C. Lascher
Partner
Wendy C. Lascher, a certified appellate law specialist, handles complex appeals and writ proceedings. Her strategic approach to litigation strategy has secured favorable outcomes in high-profile cases across California.
Questions
What practice areas does Ferguson Case Orr Paterson specialize in?
We offer 15 specialized practice groups including business transactions, estate planning, civil litigation, family law, real estate, intellectual property, and environmental law.
Does the firm handle cases outside California?
While based in California, we represent clients in matters with jurisdictional reach beyond state boundaries through our network of legal partnerships.
Are there certified legal specialists on staff?
Yes, we have attorneys certified by The State Bar of California in estate planning, trust & probate law, and appellate law.
What community involvement initiatives does the firm support?
Our attorneys actively participate in pro bono services and support civic organizations, professional associations, and charitable causes across Ventura County and neighboring regions.
