“Mr. Costin has represented me in both business and personal matters for many years. I have always found him to be impeccably professional, thoughtful and creative no matter the complexity of the issue. His manner instills confidence and the results he achieves justify it.”

– Bart Van Voorhis

Chris Costin, co-founder of the firm, practiced law in Sonoma County for over 38 years. His practice covered a broad range of real estate and business matters, including civil litigation, land use, and reorganization. His litigation practice included construction defect, environmental contamination, real estate finance, purchase disputes, and partnership matters. He has extensive trial experience — among his many victories, he won a $25-million verdict, one of the largest jury verdicts ever awarded in Sonoma County. Chris possesses an uncanny ability to remember obscure, but relevant, points of law off the top of his head. He could quickly and precisely evaluate the tax and bankruptcy implications of a contract question or legal dispute. As a result of his deep legal knowledge, Chris was one of the most sought-after counselors in the North Bay and was often retained by other attorneys.

Chris is a long-time supporter of the arts in Sonoma County. He served as president of Main Stage West, the theater company in Sebastopol, and was one of the founders of “Shakespeare in the Cannery,” which debuted in 2014 with an enchanting production of “Romeo and Juliet.”

Practice Areas

  • Real Estate Litigation

  • Commercial Litigation

  • Reorganization and Bankruptcy

Admissions

  • California State Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals – Ninth Circuit

  • U.S. District Courts – Central and Northern California Districts

Education

  • Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley
    (J.D., Order of the Coif, 1976) Editor, Ecology Law Quarterly

  • University of California, Berkeley (A.B., 1972)

Publications

  • Syndication for Brokers

Associations

  • Member, Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee of the California
    Judicial Council

  • Executive Committee, Board of Directors of the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts

  • Member, Richard M. Sangster Inn of Court for Marin/Napa/Sonoma Counties