MEMBERS OF FIRM
William M. Nassar (Managing Partner) born Methuema, Massachusetts; admitted to bar, 1994, California. Education: University of Redlands (B.S.B.A.); Western State University (J.D.). Director, Inland Empire Estate Planning Council, 2002. Member: San Bernardino County and American Bar Associations; State Bar of California (Member, Sections on: Real Property, Estates and Trusts; Corporations); Riverside County Inns of Court. Practice Areas: Estate Planning(20%); Probate(20%); Business Litigation(20%); Corporate Law(20%); Bankruptcy Chapter 7(20%).Email: William M. Nassar
John W. Short (Senior Litigator) born San Diego, California; admitted to bar, 1991, California; 1994, U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Education: California State University, San Bernardino (B.A., 1986); Loyola Law School (J.D., 1990). John Short practices in the area of business litigation, including but not limited to contract litigation, real estate litigation and personal injury litigation. In 1991, John was admitted to the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, and is a member of the Riverside and San Bernardino County Bar Associations, as well as the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court. John is also a court appointed arbitrator in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. He brings to the firm his knowledge and skill in avoiding protracted litigation, arriving at successful conclusions for businesses and individuals in the community. Member: Riverside County and San Bernardino County Bar Associations; State Bar of California; Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court; Joseph Campbell Inn of Court. [Photographer's Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy, 1973-1977]. Practice Areas: Business Litigation(25%); Contract Disputes(25%); Real Estate Litigation(25%); Personal Injury Litigation(25%).Email: John W. Short
JUNIOR PARTNER
E. Joan Nelms (Junior Partner) born Vernon, Texas, August 7, 1943; admitted to bar, 1990, California; 1996, U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Education: Saddleback College; Western State University (J.D., 1989). E. Joan Nelms is in private Practice in Redlands, CA with the law firm of William M. Nassar & Associates. She practices in the areas of Probate, Trusts, Estate Planning, conservatorship, guardianship and Probate-Trust Litigation. Ms. Nelms received her J.D. from Western State University - College of Law and is certified by the state bar of California to practice in the areas of Probate, Trust and Estate Planning. Prior employment as an attorney includes time with Hartnell, Lister & Moore as well as employment with the County of San Bernardino as a Research Attorney for the Probate Department. Ms. Nelms also regularly serves as court-appointed counsel on conservatorship and guardianship case in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Ms. Nelms is a contributing editor to the CEB publications on conservatorship and guardianships. Member: San Bernardino and Riverside Bar Associations; State Bar of California. Fellow: San Bernardino and Riverside Counties Inns of Court; Inland Empire Estate Planning Committee. (Certified Specialist, Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). Practice Areas: Estate(15%); Probate(20%); Trust Law(15%); Guardianship(10%); Elder Law(10%); Conservatorship(30%).
ASSOCIATES
Andrew J. Beechko (Associate) born Dansville, Pennsylvania; admitted to bar, 1999, California; 2008, U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Education: California State University (M.B.A., 1980); California Southern Law School (J.D., 1996). AJ Beechko left the corporate law sector in December 2006 where he spent the previous eight years in the Business Law sector as Senior Legal Counsel for Invensys, a multibillion dollar multinational software and hardware company. As Senior Legal Counsel he developed and implemented corporate policies and procedures for business development, sales, human resources, and operations. In addition, AJ negotiated multinational purchase and sale contracts, product liability litigation and settlements for the company, as well as managed the company's real estate leasing issues. He also provided legal expertise for software and other intellectual property licensing. Prior to Invensys, AJ served as the world-wide contracts manager for Bourns, Inc. located in Riverside California. Inland Empire Estate Planning Counsel. Member: Orange County and San Bernardino County Bar Associations; State Bar of California (Treasurer, Executive Committee, Law Practice Management and Technology Section, 2000-2003). Practice Areas: Corporate Law(20%); Contract Construction and Negotiations(20%); Technology Law(10%); Business Law(30%); Estate Planning(20%).Email: Andrew J. Beechko
Mark McGuire (Associate) born Porterville, California, 1971; admitted to bar, 2008, California and District of Columbia; U.S. District Court, Southern District of California. Education: Sonoma State University (B.A., 1995); Western State University - College of Law (J.D., 2008). Born and raised in Porterville California. Graduated from Sonoma State University with a BA in philosophy. Married with two boys. Employed as a project manager for SeaSpace Corporation in San Diego. Graduated with a JD from Western State University. Passed the July 2008 California Bar Exam. Admitted to the Federal Bar Central District of California. Mr. McGuire has experience in the areas of Probate, Estate Planning, Business and Corporate Law, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law and Bankruptcy. Member: San Bernardino County and Riverside County Bar Associations; State Bar of California; Inland Empire Estate Planning Council; Federal Bar Central District of California, Inns of Court Inland Empire. Practice Areas: Estate Planning(20%); Probate(20%); Business Law(20%); Criminal Law(20%); Bankruptcy Chapter 7(20%).Email: Mark McGuire
Walter T. Moore (Associate) born Los Angeles, California, June 3, 1957; admitted to bar, 1989, California. Education: Western State University (J.D., 1989). Member: Admitted State Bar of California, 1989; Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, 2009 Memberships San Bernardino County Bar Association; State Bar of California. (Also Practicing Individually). Practice Areas: Probate(40%); Estate Planning(30%); Guardianship and Conservatorship (30%).