Kenneth E. Mitchell emphasizes tax, probate, trust and estate planning, including litigation, and represents small businesses. He enjoys finding practical solutions to difficult estate, tax, and business problems. Ken received his law degree from the University of San Francisco in 1972, and served three years as an Army legal officer. After working six years as a public defender in Alameda County, he earned a master's degree in taxation from Golden Gate University. In 1982 Ken began practicing law with Kathleen Courts in the predecessor firm to Mitchell & Courts, LLP. The father of three, Ken plays an active role in the community, and has served on several boards of local nonprofit organizations. Ken is a member of both Alameda and San Mateo County Bar Associations. He resides in Millbrae, CA and also meets clients at the firm's satellite office in Redwood City. E-mail: kenm@mitchellcourts.com   Kathleen Courts focuses on providing personalized estate planning counsel to individuals and families, many of whom are involved in personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Kathleen graduated from Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, and has practiced law since 1973; her early career included criminal defense, civil litigation and appeals. Since 1980 she has been a partner in the firm now known as Mitchell & Courts, LLP. Kathleen helps clients develop and understand their estate plans, advises them on trust administration issues, and represents people in conservatorships and guardianships. She is an active member of Women Lawyers of Alameda County, the Alameda County Bar Association, the Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association and the East Bay Estate Planning Council. E-mail: kcourts@mitchellcourts.com   Philip Batchelder practices in trust and estate planning, trust and probate litigation, guardianship, and elder care matters, including nursing home patients' rights and medical decision-making. In 2009, he graduated from the Honors Lawyering Program at Golden Gate University School of Law, where he is now an adjunct faculty member. While a student, he clerked for the National Senior Citizens Law Center and the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, and he organized events to promote student involvement in elder law. Philip is on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and is a volunteer community member of the Ethics Committee of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley. He is a member of the East Bay Estates & Trusts Lawyers (EBTEL), the Alameda County Bar Association, and the East Bay Estate Planning Council. He is also a long-time board member and former executive director of San Bruno Mountain Watch, a conservation group. E-mail: philipb@mitchellcourts.com