David Hamilton portrait

David S. Hamilton

Attorney

909-931-0879909-931-0879

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David S. Hamilton is an estate planning, trust, and probate attorney in Varner & Brandt’s Ontario office. He has focused his career on helping clients in the areas of estate planning, wills and trusts, probate and trust administrations, conservatorships, fiduciary accountings, and special needs trusts. David is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by The State Bar of California.

David’s astuteness and attention to detail are highly regarded in the legal community. He is well-liked by clients for his compassionate, patient, and attentive demeanor. David is a member of the Riverside and San Bernardino County Bar Associations. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the American Bar Association.

David received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Organization Leadership from Chapman University. He earned his Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from the University of La Verne College of Law. During law school, David served as editor in chief for both the University of La Verne Law Review and the Journal of Law, Business & Ethics. David also competed on La Verne Law’s National Moot Court Competition Team. David made the Dean’s List every semester and earned a CALI award for achieving the highest grade in 13 courses. For his legal writing, David was recognized in the National Order of Scribes by the American Society of Legal Writers.

In his time away from the office, David enjoys spending time with his family, playing acoustic guitar, reading, and traveling.

Focus

  • Estate Planning
  • Wills & Trusts
  • Probate
  • Trust Administrations
  • Conservatorships
  • Guardianships
  • Fiduciary Accountings
  • Special Needs Trusts

Honors & Awards

  • Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star 2021–2024
  • Avvo Client’s Choice Award 2023 & 2024
  • Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating
  • National Order of Scribes, 2015
  • CALI Award (Highest Grade) in Federal Income Taxation, California Civil Procedure, Remedies, Business Organizations II, Law Practice Management, Lawyering Skills Practicum, Business Organizations I, Law Review Seminar, Professional Responsibility, Moot Court Honors: Advanced Appellate Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, Math and Physics for Lawyers, and Legal Analysis and Writing I

Community Involvement & Pro Bono

  • Riverside County Barristers Association, former member at large

Publications

  • It’s My Copy and I’ll Sell It If I Want To: Capitol Records, LLC v. ReDigi Inc., 97 J. Pat. & Trademark Off. Soc’y 232 (2015)
  • Special Needs Trusts: Planning, Drafting, and Administration (CEB) (update author for Chapter 2: Ethical Considerations when Planning for Persons with Disabilities, Chapter 7: Funding Third Party Special Needs Trusts, and Chapter 16: Special Needs Trusts Accounting)

Presentations

  • Protect Your Family, Your Life, and Your Future—Lunch and Learn: Estate Planning + Asset Protection Workshop, 2020
  • Estate Planning for Incapacity—Educating America Tour: California Alzheimer's & Caregiver Conference, 2022

Memberships

  • San Bernardino County Bar Association
  • Riverside County Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Education

  • University of La Verne College of Law, JD, magna cum laude, 2015
  • Chapman University, BA, 2009

Admissions

  • The State Bar of California
  • United States District Court, Central District of California
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Affiliations

  • University of La Verne Law Review, Editor in Chief
  • Journal of Law, Business & Ethics, Editor in Chief