Business Details
37 Years
experience
Trusted Legal Representation in Westlake Village, CA
Catanese & Wells is a boutique law firm established in 1989, dedicated to delivering optimal legal results through personalized service. Our team of experienced trial lawyers specializes in equine law, estate litigation, civil litigation, and business law, serving clients in California and beyond. With over 30 years of combined experience, including senior attorney T. Randolph Catanese's 35+ years in legal practice, we prioritize resolving cases efficiently while maintaining aggressive representation in litigation when necessary.Our approach combines deep legal expertise with a client-focused philosophy, supported by dedicated paralegals and legal staff. We serve Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Santa Barbara counties, with a proven track record in state, federal, and appellate courts. Our commitment to transparency and communication ensures clients receive tailored strategies aligned with their unique legal needs.
Services
Equine Law
Estate Litigation
Civil Litigation
Business Law
Trust Litigation
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of experience in equine law expertise.
- Our team provides relentless, client-focused representation to achieve optimum results.
- We maintain an extensive track record of litigation victories in state and federal courts.
- Priority on strengthening client relationships through transparent communication.
- Our holistic approach combines legal expertise with business and tax planning insights.
What people say
Great experience
Knowledgeable attorneys
Won my case
Professional representation
Confident with him
Services
Equine Law
Our equine law practice covers all aspects of horse-related legal matters, including purchase agreements, breeding contracts, and litigation. We represent owners, trainers, and industry professionals in disputes involving property rights, liability, and regulatory compliance. With decades of specialized experience, we provide tailored solutions for complex equine legal challenges.
Estate Litigation
We handle contested wills, trust disputes, and fiduciary duty breaches with strategic courtroom representation. Our team specializes in resolving inheritance conflicts, elder financial abuse cases, and complex probate matters. We combine litigation expertise with discreet handling of sensitive family dynamics and high-net-worth estates.
Civil Litigation
Our civil litigation practice covers business disputes, contract enforcement, and real estate conflicts. We represent clients in state and federal courts, focusing on breach of contract claims, partnership disputes, and commercial litigation. Our approach emphasizes early case assessment and efficient resolution while preparing for aggressive trial advocacy.
Business Law
We provide comprehensive business legal services including entity formation, contract negotiation, and dispute resolution. Our practice covers mergers and acquisitions, shareholder disputes, and regulatory compliance. We serve businesses from startups to publicly traded companies with tailored legal strategies for growth and risk management.
Trust Litigation
Our trust litigation practice addresses trustee misconduct, trust modification, and beneficiary disputes. We handle contested trust administrations, fiduciary accounting challenges, and complex trust interpretation issues. Our attorneys combine probate expertise with courtroom experience to protect client interests in trust-related conflicts.
People
T. Randolph Catanese
Senior Attorney
Practicing since 1983, Mr. Catanese founded the firm in 1989 and specializes in equine law, estate litigation, and business disputes. He has lectured at national equine law conferences and serves on the American Horse Council Tax Bulletin board.
Douglas R. Hume
Attorney
Admitted in 1997, Mr. Hume focuses on business formation and capital raising, serving as general counsel to multiple companies. He brings extensive experience in corporate transactions and business dispute resolution to the firm.
Bradley W.R. Gould
Attorney
Licensed in California since 2019, Mr. Gould has extensive trial experience in both Illinois and California courts. He specializes in complex litigation matters across multiple practice areas including bankruptcy and business disputes.
Robyn Chervenak
Office Manager
With a fine arts background, Robyn manages firm operations and client relations. She brings over 20 years of administrative experience and a client-focused approach to office management and business development.
Ellie Pirastehfar
Litigation Paralegal
Certified paralegal since 1995, Ellie supports litigation matters with expertise in case management and legal documentation. She holds a political science degree and provides critical support in complex litigation cases.
Questions
What areas of law does Catanese & Wells specialize in?
We specialize in equine law, estate litigation, civil litigation, business law, and trust disputes, serving both individuals and businesses with tailored legal solutions.
How long has the firm been in operation?
Catanese & Wells has provided legal services since 1989, with senior attorney T. Randolph Catanese practicing law since 1983.
Do you handle cases outside California?
While based in California, we represent clients nationally and internationally, particularly in equine law matters and complex litigation cases.
What makes your trust litigation practice unique?
Our trust litigation team combines probate expertise with courtroom experience, handling complex disputes involving high-net-worth estates and fiduciary misconduct.
Can you assist with business formation and disputes?
Yes, we provide comprehensive business legal services including entity formation, contract negotiation, and dispute resolution for businesses of all sizes.
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