About Us

Christine M. Kouvaris

I grew up in Canada and moved to the Bay Area around 2001. My husband and I live in the Cambrian Park area and have two young boys. I have practiced in the trusts and estates field exclusively since 2004, when I began working for a boutique trusts and estates law firm in the South Bay while at law school. I spent 12 years with the firm, and worked on a wide variety of matters in estate planning, trust and probate administration, and conservatorship administration. I enjoy being able to help clients with their estate planning because I am helping them fulfill a goal that is an important part of their life process and that will provide security to their family to know that there is a plan in place. When I assist a trustee or executor with an estate administration following a loved one's death, I guide them through the process from start to finish, and provide them with the necessary legal advice to carry out the terms of the estate plan and to fulfill their duties to the beneficiaries of the estate.

Education

• J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law, 2004
  • Articles Editor, Santa Clara Law Review
  • Recipient of CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Children and the Law
• B.A., University of British Columbia, 2000
• California State Bar Admission, 2005

Professional Organizations

• Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
• Member, State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates Section
• Member, Silicon Valley Bar Association, 2004 to present
  • President, Board of Trustees (2016-2018)
  • Secretary, Board of Trustees (2013-2015)
  • Member, Board of Trustees, 2012 to present
  • Member, Executive Committee
  • Former Co-Chair, New Attorneys Group
• Member, Jerry A. Kasner Estate Planning Symposium, Planning Committee, 2014 to present

Community

• Team Parent, Cambrian Little League (Spring 2017)
• Team Manager, Cambrian Little League T-Ball (2016)
• Team Volunteer, Cambrian Little League T-Ball (2013-2016).l;df
• Assistant Coach, PAL League Soccer (2015)
• Mentor to 1L Students, Santa Clara University School of Law (2010-Present)

Recent Lectures and Publications

• Lecturer, “Conservatorship Accountings,” SVBA New Attorneys Roundtable Group (9/12/12)
• Lecturer, “Estate Planning Basics,” Law Review CLE (1/9/13)
• Lecturer, “Q&A on Conservatorships and Trust Administration,” SVBA New Attorneys Group (5/8/13)
• Lecturer, “Estate Management After Death,” Public Guardian’s Office of Santa Clara County on Behalf of SVBA (6/27/14)
• Lecturer, “Trust Drafting”, SVBA New Attorneys Roundtable Group (11/12/14)
• Lecturer, “The Probate Process From Start to Finish,” NBI (1/23/15)
• Lecturer, “Custom Drafting Specific Clauses in Trusts,” SVBA New Attorneys Roundtable Group (Sept 2015)
• Lecturer, “Trust 101,” National Business Institute (2015)
• Lecturer, "HEMS," SVBA (Oct 2015)
• Lecturer, "HEMS," SMCBA (March 2016)
• Lecturer, "HEMS," East Bay T & E Lawyers (May 2016)
• Lecturer, "Estate Planning from A to Z," NBI (June 2016)
• Lecturer, "Ethics for New Estate Planners," SVBA New Attorneys Roundtable Group (Sept 2016)
• Lecturer, "HEMS," CALCPA (March 2017)
• Co-Author, "The Planning, Adminstration and LItigation of HEMS," California Trusts and Estates Quarterly (Spring Quarterly 2017)

Professional Recognition

• Super Lawyers, 2016, Northern California Rising Stars
• Super Lawyers, 2017, Northern California Rising Stars