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Innovative Methods
We recognize that each of our clients is unique and that the path to success for one may not be the same as the path for others. Creativity and flexibility are essential to help our clients reach their goals.
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Enduring Values
We strive to harness timeless values such as integrity, inclusivity, respect, perseverance, and good judgment for the benefit of our clients.
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Proven Results
With over 45 years of combined experience, our attorneys have demonstrated that the consistent application of Enduring Values and Innovative Methods provide the greatest opportunity for our clients to succeed.
Our mission is to provide effective and ethical
legal services customized to each client’s needs.
Our Practice Areas
Trust/Probate Administration
Advising successors in various “trusted persons” roles (i.e., trustees, executors, agents, guardians, etc.) in carrying out their duties, understanding and avoiding liability, and fulfilling the wishes of the principal/decedent
Real Estate Law
Purchase/Sale Agreements Quiet Title Actions Leases Real Estate Financing Lis Pendens
Construction Law
Construction contracts Contract disputes Mechanics Liens Construction lending Surety Claims
General Business
Entity Creation Business Purchase/Sale Franchise Agreements Employment Consulting Corporate dissolutions
Contracts
Construction contracts Loan Documents Real Estate Purchase/Sale Agreements Business Purchase/Sale Agreements Employment ContractsOur Team
Anthony Garafola
Retired PartnerTony Garafola has retired as of December 31, 2023, and intends on spending more time traveling, painting, and of course working on his golf game. Tony wishes to thank his family and many friends and colleagues who have assisted him in establishing and growing his law practice for the last 20 years. More importantly, Tony wishes to thank his many clients who have entrusted him with their legal needs during that time.
S. Susan King
PartnerSusan’s law practice initially focused on business formation and compliance, succession planning, sales and acquisitions, and other transactional matters. Susan has formed and counseled business entities of varying sizes and purposes, from both closely‐ held family enterprises to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to project‐specific vehicles for asset protection purposes. With experienced and timely counsel, Susan guided her clients through the ups and downs of operating a business so that her clients could focus and efforts on growing the business.
Her business succession practice naturally expanded into estate planning and trust/probate administration for individuals. Susan then experienced for herself just how difficult it is to help a loved one when unexpected life events occur without advance planning (read her personal story, here). Estate planning and trust/probate administration became her passion over time, culminating in her certification as a legal specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in June of 2021.
Trusts, wills and estates is the primary focus of Susan’s law practice today. She believes that a carefully crafted estate plan is essential for everyone to avoid probate, to communicate one’s wishes to loved ones, and to plan for unexpected life events. She advises on more advanced planning techniques to reduce or eliminate estate tax liability and to achieve philanthropic or charitable goals, among others. Susan’s expertise in both business law and estate planning makes her uniquely suited to assist her clients successfully transferring their life’s work to the next generation.
Click Here for Susan's personal story.
Certification
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization - June 2021Undergraduate Education
University of California Berkeley, B.A. – 2003Law School
University of California at Davis, King Hall Law School, J.D. – 2008Memberships
Sacramento County Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section State Bar of California, Trusts & Estates Section Peregrine School – Board of Directors 100+ Women Who Care – Yolo County
John McCardle
PartnerIn more than 30 years of practicing law, John McCardle has represented clients in a broad spectrum of legal matters in federal and state trial courts, administrative hearings, and appellate courts. His experience as a litigator has taught John “to begin with the end in mind” by envisioning how legal disputes are likely to be resolved, developing an effective strategy for obtaining that resolution, and implementing that strategy while remaining flexible enough to alter the methods selected as circumstances require. More importantly, he learned that many business disputes can be avoided entirely by crafting agreements and other legal documents designed to anticipate such disputes and to establish effective means of resolving disputes when they arise.
In 2019, John started his own firm based on the belief that businesses benefit most when disputes can be avoided rather than litigated. In 2021, he joined forces with local attorneys Anthony Garafola and Susan King to form Garafola, King & McCardle.