Category: News – Blog
SUNDSTEDT | GOODMAN PC LAWYERS PARTICIPATE IN SURF CITY RUN 5K
As a local Huntington Beach law firm, it is important to our attorneys to stay connected to the communitywe serve. We take pride in our ability to be part of such a close-knit community and love that our familyand friends can join us in this endeavor. Huntington Beach is known for its Independent Daycelebrations. Tourists travel from all over the United States to celebrate in our city and locals watch theannual 4th of July Parade and fireworks show over the iconic pier. The Surf City Run 5k is a tradition inthe Huntington Beach Festivities each year and our attorneys love participating in this challenge.
Plan Ahead This Year with Sundstedt & Goodman and Give Your Family Peace of Mind
We are proud to announce that Sundstedt | Goodman PC has expanded its practice to include consulting and drafting Trust and Estate plans for its individual and business-owner clients. Sundstedt & Goodman has always been a place where our first-rate attorneys can guide their clients through litigation, including civil, trust and probate litigation matters. Because of this, we have a unique perspective on Trust and Estate plans. We have seen what happens when bad estate plans fail our clients, promulgating expensive and unnecessary litigation, while also benefiting from our bird’s eye view of what happens when good estate plans offer our clients, their successors, and beneficiaries, certainty, and peace of mind. If your priority is planning ahead for your family and loved ones and creating for them the gift of a seamless process so that they can cope with an unplanned death or gradual incapacity should the need arise, then please call our office today to make an appointment to consult with our attorneys. We can help you create a solid estate plan so that you can breathe easier during these times of uncertainty.
SUNDSTEDT & GOODMAN SETTLE CITY BUS vs. PEDESTRIAN PERSONAL INJURY CASE
The Sundstedt & Goodman firm settled a serious injury claim on behalf of their client against an Orange County city bus company in May of this year for $3.4 million. The claim arose when the client received serious injuries while walking in a crosswalk on a green light, wherein she was struck by a city bus. Sundstedt & Goodman law partner Michael Sundstedt expressed the firm’s philosophy regarding the resolution:
“There is no greater feeling in representing a victim of a serious injury than to know that we have helped our client receive as much compensation as possible to make her/his road to recovery and future needs fulfilled, given the fact that one’s health is a precious gift from God that in reality is worth more than any amount of money.”
The Sundstedt & Goodman firm’s personal injury trial team has been successfully representing victims of serious injuries in a wide variety of circumstances throughout the six Southern California counties, whether in state and federal courts, since 1981.
Michael J. Sundstedt Celebrates his 40th Year in Practice
We love to celebrate milestones of our attorneys here at Sundstedt & Goodman . On May 30, 2021, Partner Michael J. Sundstedt will gratefully mark his 40th year in the practice of law. We are proud of Michael and are thankful for his dedication to our clients!
Lani M. Goodman is a certified legal specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law
In October, 2017 the California Board of Legal Specialization administered the Legal Specialist Examination in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, which Partner Lani M. Goodman was eligible to take as an attorney who has been practicing in the areas of trust and probate law for a substantial percentage of her practice since approximately 2010. We are pleased to announce that Lani passed the rigorous examination and has been certified through the California State Bar as a Certified Legal Specialist in the area of Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. This certification specialist title allows her to offer our clients focused advocacy and expertise in trust and probate litigation matters.
Sundstedt & Goodman Resolve Employment Law Matter for a Fraction of Plaintiff’s Demand
There is no doubt that in the litigious business world of today, that being an employer in California is difficult. The California Labor Code, combined with Federal requirements, can make employers’ compliance complex. This is made more challenging by the ever-changing landscape of applicable wage orders and statutory law.
Even the most careful, conscious and compliant employers may find themselves facing a lawsuit filed by their present or former employees. When this happens, the attorneys at Sundstedt & Goodman start by conducting a thorough analysis of the claims alleged, factual evidence available, and credibility of all potential witnesses. This allows the attorneys to give their employer clients the necessary “ammo” to refute frivolous allegations and to substantiate credible allegations. The attorneys then assist their employer clients to evaluate all facts presented against a backdrop assessment of liability for damages, if any. The attorneys at Sundstedt & Goodman Law Offices strive to zealously advocate for their employer clients and help them to make the best business decision they can, in light of all circumstances presented.
Recently, the attorneys at Sundstedt & Goodman were able to navigate a small-business employer through a complicated and emotional case which centered around allegations of wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. After conducting thorough discovery, including depositions of not just the plaintiff, but several key co-workers, Sundstedt & Goodman Law Offices had substantial evidence to support a Motion for Summary Judgment / Summary Adjudication, which they made on behalf of the employer defendant. The strength of their motion was made evident by the successful mediation which took place prior to the hearing set on their motion. With the assistance of Sundstedt & Goodman , the employer defendant was able to resolve the matter in its entirety for a fraction of the plaintiff’s initial demand.
Sundstedt & Goodman Represent Trustee of Family Trust and Obtain Order Denying Beneficiaries’ Petition for Removal
The attorneys at Sundstedt & Goodman are well-versed in representing trustees, administrators, personal representatives, and other persons serving in a fiduciary capacity. In this particular case, which involved a blended family, the Trustors created a family trust, funding it with specific assets, designed to be split equally between the wife’s children and the husband’s children, on the death of the surviving spouse/trustor. In order to alleviate disputes amongst the step-siblings, and in anticipation of what might be a contentious clash of personalities, the Trustors appointed a neutral, non-family member, professional to serve as Successor Trustee on the death of the surviving spouse/trustor.
The wife/trustor was the surviving spouse. On her death, the professional Successor Trustee took his position and moved forward to administer the family trust. The wife/trustor’s children filed a Petition for Removal of the Trustee alleging breaches of trust, unfitness to administer the trust, failure or declination to act, excessive compensation, and other related allegations under the California Probate Code. The attorneys at Sundstedt and Goodman represented the professional Successor Trustee through a five-day trial in the Superior Court of California, Orange County. Their defense of the Petition was successful and resulted in an Order from the Court denying the beneficiaries’ Petition for Removal and finding specifically that, “removal on any of the grounds cited, based on a preponderance of the evidence standard, is not merited.”