Kristen E. Caverly is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and is a partner in the firm’s Litigation, Investigations, and Trials Practice Group. Her practice focuses on the administration and resolution of complex trust and estate matters, including disputed trust administrations, fiduciary litigation, probate controversies, and related litigation matters involving estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and business disputes.
Kristen represents fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and other interested parties in sophisticated trust and estate matters, particularly those involving contested issues, high-stakes disputes, and litigation. She has extensive experience guiding clients through all phases of administration and litigation, from pre-dispute strategy, risk assessment, and investigation through trial, appeal, and resolution. Kristen regularly handles sensitive matters involving fiduciary obligations, contested accountings, allegations of misconduct, administration challenges, and disputes arising from the transfer and management of wealth. She works closely with clients to navigate legal, financial, and family dynamics while developing practical strategies designed to protect fiduciaries, preserve estate assets, and resolve disputes effectively.
In addition to her litigation practice, Kristen counsels clients on trust and estate administration matters with a focus on proactive problem-solving, dispute avoidance, and positioning matters for efficient and successful resolution. She also has significant experience handling civil and commercial litigation matters and has represented clients in numerous bench and jury trials, as well as appeals before California appellate courts and the California Supreme Court.
Kristen is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and previously served as Chair of the Trusts and Estates Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association for 2023-2024. She is recognized in the 2025 Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth Disputes in California and has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for her work in trusts and estates litigation and commercial litigation.