Katherine Becker is a managing partner of Jones, Lester, Schuck, Becker & Dehesa, LLP, in Santa Paula, California, where her practice focuses on estate planning, trust and estate administration, conservatorships, guardianships, and special needs trusts.  She is recognized by the State of California Board of Legal Specialization as a certified specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law.  She is a member of the panel for court appointed counsel for conservatees in the Ventura County Superior Court.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Ms. Becker has worked in the probate law area for over 15 years – the first four years as a paralegal.  She has extensive experience assisting families through the planning and administration process.

Ms. Becker has taught and lectured at legal continuing education courses on various topics including estate planning, conservatorships, trust administration, probate, animal law, and cultural sensitivity and bias since 2011.

Ms. Becker was associate counsel in Breslin v. Breslin (2021) 62 Cal.App.5th 801, where the Court of Appeal also affirmed the probate court’s authority under PC §17206 to order the parties to mediation.

Ms. Becker was recognized by the Southern California Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Ms. Becker is an AV (Preeminent) ™ peer-review-rated attorney by LexisNexis/Martindale Hubbell since 2019.

EDUCATION & TRAINING:

Ms. Becker earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College in 2005.  She earned her paralegal certificate from the University of California Santa Barbara in 2007, and in 2010, she earned her Juris Doctor degree from Ventura College of Law.  While in law school, Ms. Becker had externships with the Probate research attorneys for the Ventura Superior Court, and with the Ventura County District Attorney. She was on Dean’s List each year of law school and graduated with honors. She also studied abroad through University of San Diego’s program in Paris, France.

Ms. Becker (formerly Hause) is a native of Ventura County, and attended such schools as Mound Elementary, Cabrillo Middle School, and Ventura High School.
Bar Admissions

Since completing her legal education, Ms. Becker has been admitted to practice by the State Bar of California, and the U.S. District Courts for the Central, Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of California.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Ms. Becker is an active member of the Ventura County Bar Association. Her involvement with the local legal community is extensive. Ms. Becker sits on the Executive Board for the Estate Planning and Probate Section of the Ventura County Bar Association and is the Treasurer of the Women Lawyers of Ventura County.  She has previously been the President of the Women Lawyers of Ventura County, the Ventura County Barristers, as well as a board member of the Ventura County Bar Association Executive Committee and the Mexican American Bar Association.  Ms. Becker also founded the Animal Law Section of the Ventura County Bar Association and was president of it for several years.

Ms. Becker served as a board member of the California Young Lawyers Association from 2013-2016, and as a Special Advisor from 2016-2017.

Ms. Becker resides in Camarillo with her husband and their two children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking and wine tasting.