Noteworthy
Special Counsel, Brown White & Osborn LLP (2010-Present); Partner, William M. Nassar & Associates (2005-2009); Associate, Driscoll & Reynolds (2001-2005); Senior Associate, Haight, Brown & Bonesteel (1996-2001); Associate, Kinkle, Rodiger & Spriggs (1994-1996); Associate, Brinley & Schott (1992-1994); Associate, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo (1990-1992); United States Navy (1973-1977); United States Forest Service, Del Rosa Hot Shots (1972).
Education and Honors
Loyola Law School (J.D., 1990); California State University, San Bernardino (B.A. Art, 1986).
Professional Associations
State Bar of California’s Trust & Estates Section; Conference of California Bar Associations, Board Regional Director (2014-present ), Advisory Council Director, (2013-2016); San Bernardino County Bar Association, Board Director (2011-present), Vice President (2019-present), Secretary-Treasurer (2018-2019), Bench/Bar Committee (2015-present); Riverside County Bar; Joseph B. Campbell American Inn of Court (2006-present); Public Service Law Corporation of the Riverside County Bar Association, Board of Directors, (2001-2010).
Bar Admissions
California (1991); United States District Court, Central District of California.
Community Affiliations and Activities
Crestline-Lake Gregory Chamber of Commerce, Board Director (2010-present); Appointed to the Lake Gregory Improvement Committee by Second District Supervisor, Janice Rutherford (2010-2019); Appointed to the Crest Forest – Crestline Sign Committee by Second District Supervisor, Janice Rutherford, (2014-2016); Incorporate Lake Gregory, Board Director (2017-present).
A representative sampling of Mr. Short’s experience is as follows:
Civil Litigation
- Defense verdict for nation-wide fast food chain franchise in spilled “hot coffee” in drive-thru litigation.
- Defense verdict for Church against congregant in slip and fall occurring after Sabbath services.
- Plaintiff verdict and recovery of real property in neighbor versus neighbor boundary dispute.
- Defense verdict for amusement park against patron injured on ride.
Probate Estate and Trust Litigation
- Successfully defended beneficiary and successfully prosecuted cross-complaint against other family members in trust contest; successfully affirmed the trial court’s decision at the Court of Appeal.
- Successfully obtained beneficiary’s share of multi-million dollar estate and secured order removing trustee for improper administration of trust; successfully affirmed the trial court’s decision at the Court of Appeal.
- Successfully defended against caregiver’s claim to take decedent’s real property after his lengthy relationship with decedent; decedent’s estate successfully awarded to her disabled son for his life care.
- Successfully represented property owner who purchased home in the 1980’s and allowed seller to remain in the home with a life estate; seller lived to be 107 years old and sued buyer for elder abuse because she “forgot” she sold the property to him 30 years earlier.
Conservatorships and Conservatorship Litigation
- Frequently represent the elderly and the developmentally disabled in conservatorship proceedings and trials.
- Successfully represented a limited conservatee in securing the right to marry after a protracted proceeding.
- Represented conservatees against health care facilities seeking to terminate life-sustaining procedures.
Guardianships and Guardianship Litigation
- Represented the wishes and interests of many minors in guardianship proceedings and trials, often against parents with substance abuse issues.
- Represented family members seeking to protect their minor relatives in guardianship proceedings.
Appellate Cases
- Motion for summary judgment affirmed on appeal in negligence action on the dance floor at a Beverly Hills hotel.
- Trial court’s finding of no elder abuse by step-son against step-father, brought by step-father’s children, affirmed on appeal.
- Court of Appeal affirmed trial court’s decision to remove successor trustee for multiple breaches of fiduciary duties while managing multi-million dollar estate.
- Successfully appealed, in part, on behalf of County Superintendent of Schools and four school districts to reverse trial court’s sustaining of demurrer without leave to amend in action against city and city council, city redevelopment agency, and county and county board of supervisors.
- Successfully appealed, in part, on behalf of County Superintendent of Schools and four school districts, an order dismissing writ of mandate and complaint for validating proceeding. Meaney v. Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency (1993) 13 Cal.App.4th