Experienced Trust & Estate Counsel Helping Individuals and Businesses
Legal Representation In Burlingame, California

James Cummins

Photo of James Cummins
  • Shareholder & Director

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650-292-2901

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James Cummins is a Shareholder, Director, and Principal at Barulich Dugoni & Suttmann Law Group, Inc. Jim is an experienced litigator whose practice is focused on disputes arising out of trusts, estates, and elder abuse. He represents trustees, executors, personal representatives, and attorneys-in-fact in actions involving accusations of trust mismanagement, breaches of fiduciary duty, contests to wills and trusts, and even disinterment. Jim also has significant experience in litigating domestic and international commercial disputes, business disputes in marital dissolution actions, and real property disputes.

Education

  • Santa Clara University School of Law, Santa Clara, California
    • J.D. - 2009
    • Honors: Certificate in Social Justice & Public Interest
    • Honors: CALI Awards: Remedies, and Moot Court Competitor & Exchange Board Member
  • Loyola Marymount University
    • B.A. - 2005

Published Works

  • Co-Author, Probate Court Closed to Disinherited Trust Beneficiaries, Daily Journal, September 27, 2018
  • Co-author, “Smith v. Szeyller: Probate Court Authority for Attorney’s Fee Award under the Substantial Benefit Doctrine for Successful Beneficiaries”, California Lawyers Association Trust and Estates Quarterly Newsletter (Vol 26, Issue 2, 2020)

Classes/Seminars

  • Speaker, Drafting Petitions and Responses, East Bay Trust and Estates Lawyers Litigation Boot Camp, September 12, 2018
  • Speaker, Undue Influence in Will and Trust Contests Under Probate Code 86, Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council, Pleasanton, CA, March 1st, 2018
  • Speaker, Undue Influence in Will and Trust Contests Under Probate Code §86, Marin County Estate Planning Council, San Rafael, CA, September 13, 2017
  • Speaker, Undue Influence Contest in Will and Trust Litigation Probate Code §86 and Family Code §721, EACBA Monthly MCLE Luncheon, Pleasanton, CA, March 16, 2017
  • Speaker, Undue Influence in Will and Trust Contests Under Probate Code 86, Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council, Pleasanton, CA, March 1, 2018
  • Speaker, Attorney Fee Recovery in Trusts and Estates: From Engagement Agreements to Settlement Agreements, San Mateo County Bar Association, July 16, 2020
  • Speaker, Collecting Attorney Fees and Damages in Trust & Estate Litigation, Jerry A. Kasner Virtual Estate Planning Symposium, October 8, 2021

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Silicon Valley Bar Association, Social Chair
  • Alameda County Law Library, Former Board of Trustee Member
  • Irish-American Bar Association of Northern California
  • San Mateo County Bar Association
  • Silicon Valley Organization - San Jose Leadership Class of 2017