Biography
Laurie
Shigekuni
graduated from the University of California,
Hastings College of the Law in 1989 and has been an active member of the
California Bar since that time. In 1983, she received her undergraduate
B.A. degrees from the University of California, Santa Cruz with honors
in Sociology, while also majoring in Biology. After spending six years
in the area of civil litigation at a legal services organization in Oakland,
Ms. Shigekuni started her own practice. She has been specializing in the areas of wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, and trust administration since 1996. Ms. Shigekuni has represented individual clients
as well as groups of clients in both State and Federal Courts in a range
of civil matters. She is concerned about access to the justice system
for underrepresented people and has counseled hundreds of people about
their legal rights. She has trained law students and other attorneys in
matters ranging from housing to disaster assistance. She is a member of
the State Bar of California Estate Planning Section and the California
Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. Her Christian
convictions regarding generosity inform the firm's approach to serving underrepresented individuals.
back to top
Biography
Martha Bridegam graduated from the University of California,
Hastings College of the Law in 1994. She has been an active member of the California Bar since 1995. In 1989, she received a
B.A. with honors from Harvard University. Ms. Bridegam has worked extensively as an attorney for low-income, disabled and homeless San Franciscans, receiving five Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Awards from the Bar Association of San Francisco. She has worked on litigation projects including civil rights, employment and consumer cases. Ms. Bridegam has written two texts for high-school students on current legal issues. She has additional background in journalism and continues to work part-time as a freelance writer, primarily on housing policy and California history.
back to top
Expertise
At the Law Offices of Laurie Shigekuni, we
have the experience to ask our clients the right kind of questions and
explain legal matters in an understandable manner. Unlike some law firms,
the estate planning documents we draft are tailored to meet the long term
care needs of our clients. For example, our documents anticipate the need
for financial assistance in the event that long term nursing care is required.
Our documents are drafted to eliminate the need for court intervention
in the event that someone becomes incapacitated and needs government assistance
for long term nursing home care.
back to top
Vision
Our goal is to provide our clients with
the highest degree of integrity, competence, and service. We understand
that estate planning not only deals with issues of finance, but also involves
human relationships. Through listening to the needs of our clients, we
will provide them with legal solutions that best care for them and their
loved ones.
It is also important to our firm that we serve those who are unable to
financially afford legal services. Thus, we offer a sliding fee scale for
low income clients. As indicated in the biography above, we have significant
experience in public interest work. We will use a portion of proceeds from our estate
planning practice to serve underrepresented individuals with other legal
needs.
back to top
