SOLUTION FOCUSED LEGAL THINKING

Our staff is seasoned and knowledgeable. We work as a team, sharing our knowledge and expertise, meeting your needs in a prompt and professional manner.

LOCAL TEAM. WORLD CLASS RESULTS.

David Solitare

DAVID SOLITARE

PRINCIPAL

Since 1984, the principal of the firm, attorney David A. Solitare, has practiced law in the corporate and business financial planning arenas, particularly in connection with tax-sensitive contract drafting and review.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

He has a strong background in tax planning for individuals and corporations, and significant experience in estate planning for high net worth individuals, wills, probate, trust administration, and business entity formation.

He has represented individuals and companies before the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court, and state and local tax agencies. His major projects have included limited partnership and real estate syndications (including a major private resort hotel acquisition), and purchases and sales of closely-held businesses.

Mr. Solitare also has two years of tax accounting experience with the tax department of the international accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, in their Los Angeles office.

EDUCATION

UCLA School of Law, J.D.
UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management, M.B.A, Concentration in finance and accounting
UCSD, B.A., Economics, magna cum laude

BAR ADMISSIONS/MEMBERSHIP

State Bar of California and Taxation Section
Los Angeles County Bar Association and Taxation Section
San Fernando Valley Bar Association

COURT ADMISSIONS

U.S. Tax Court

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Serves on the panel of referral attorneys with the Los Angeles County Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service, and lectures on the topics of estate planning and personal finance. Past Elder and Deacon at Bel Air Presbyterian Church. Currently teaching Bethel Bible Series.

PERSONAL

Mr. Solitare resides in Woodland Hills, is married, and has one child. His hobbies include backpacking, skiing, scouting, and distance running.

Michael Balikian

MICHAEL BALIKIAN

OF COUNCIL ASSOCIATE

Mr. Balikian is of counsel to the firm and has over 32 years experience in the areas of estate planning, post-death estate administration, business formation and representation, real estate and tax.

While in law school, Mr. Balikian served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Lynn Compton in the Second Appellate District of the California Court of Appeals.

EDUCATION

University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, J.D.
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Masters in Business and Tax
University of Arizona, B.A. Business Administration

BAR ADMISSIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

State Bar of California
San Fernando Valley Bar Association

COURT ADMISSSIONS

U.S. Tax Court

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
  • Cofounder of First Generation Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing financial resources to low-income seniors
  • Serves on the Probate Volunteer Panel of the Los Angeles Superior Court
  • Member of the Christian Legal Society
  • Past Vice-President of the local chapter of Gideons International
  • Past member of the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Foundation Estate and Tax Planning Advisory Committee
  • Served as a Vice-Chair of Planned Giving for the Arthritis Foundation’s local board
PERSONAL

Mr. Balikian enjoys basketball and golf. He is married with three children and resides in Thousand Oaks, California.