David T. Gibson

Attorney at Law

Currently

Probate Attorney at Los Angeles Superior Court.

Specialized in

Extensive knowledge in the areas of wills and trusts, guardianship, conservatorship, family law, and California civil procedure.

Also specializes in law pertaining to collectives/cooperatives, cannabis regulation, and firearms regulation.

Admissions

Admitted to the bars of the State of California (No. 287866), United States District Court for the Northern District of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Education

May 2012 University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, California
Juris Doctor

• ACLU Hastings Chapter, Founding Member
• Federalist Society (President 2010-2011)
• Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly (Sr. Development Ed. 2011-2012)
• Hastings Int’l & Comparative Law Society (Co-President 2010-2011)
• Law Students for Sensible Drug Policy (Secretary 2010-2012)
• Teaching Assistant, Legal Writing & Research

May 2009 University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, Psychology
Minor in Neuroscience

Spring 2008 University College London, London, England
International Student Exchange Program

Awards

Fall 2012 Witkin and CALI Awards for Academic Excellence: Negotiation and Settlement

Spring 2011 Witkin and CALI Awards for Academic Excellence: Arbitration

Fall 2010 Honorable Mention: Moot Court Oral Argument and Written Brief

Fall 2009 Witkin and CALI Awards for Academic Excellence: Legal Writing

Fall 2007 to Present Golden Key International Honour Society
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Psi Chi National Psychology Honors Society (Executive Board 2008-2009)

Spring 2006 to Present Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society

Fall 2005 to Spring 2009 USC Dean’s List
USC Presidential Scholar

Publications

Journals

2012 Spreading the Wealth: Is Asset Forfeiture the Key to Enticing Local Agencies to Enforce Federal Drug Laws?, 39 Hastings Const. L.Q. 569-91 (2012).

View Online as PDF

Presentations

2022 Expert Guest. Choosing to File in Probate or Civil
California Lawyers Association Trust Me! Podcast, October 31, 2022

2022 The Intersection of Probate and Firearms, Selected Topics
Superior Court of Los Angeles Probate Education Committee, May 12, 2022

Experience

Oct 2018 to Present Los Angeles Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA
Probate Attorney

Jul 2016 to Oct 2018 Los Angeles Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA
Research Attorney, Probate

• Summarized, evaluated, and drafted tentative decisions for probate law and motion calendars
• Organized and prioritized all law and motion matters for ten probate departments
• Performed advanced research regarding substantive and procedural probate issues

Jul 2014 to Jul 2016 Los Angeles Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA
Law Clerk, Probate

• Summarized, evaluated, and drafted tentative decisions for probate law and motion calendars
• Prepared bench memoranda for eight judicial officers in seven departments
• Completed specialized research concerning California statutes, case law, and court rules

Mar 2013 to Jun 2014 Law and Meditation Offices of Pauline Rosen, Manhattan Beach, CA
Associate Attorney

• Made court appearances to argue and oppose motions and requests for orders
• Drafted pleadings, stipulated judgments, MSC and trial briefs, and meet and confer letters
• Assisted with trials, depositions, and settlement conferences

May 2011 to Dec 2011 Kumin Sommers LLP, San Francisco, CA
Law Clerk

• Drafted complaints, pretrial motions, and a tax court petition
• Compiled and responded to pretrial discovery requests
• Collected and analyzed California public records for use as evidence in litigation

Jun 2010 to Jul 2010 Office of the City Attorney, Redondo Beach, CA
Law Clerk

• Performed legal research and prepared memoranda for city attorneys
• Assisted city prosecutor with misdemeanor arraignments and trials
• Aided in discovery and document review

Aug 2009 to May 2010 General Assistance Advocacy Project, San Francisco, CA
Legal Advocate

• Advocated for clients with welfare, landlord-tenant, and other legal issues
• Assisted clients with the preparation of letters and legal paperwork
• Negotiated with SSI, CAAP, and food stamps caseworkers

Jun 2008 to Aug 2008 Los Angeles Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA
Summer Extern to the Honorable Elizabeth Allen White

• Analyzed and summarized legal motions for judicial review
• Researched and briefed cases within submitted motions
• Assisted managing research attorney with tasks for judges