Attorney At Law

Scott has been practicing law in the High Desert and Inland Empire since 1997.  Scott was previously the co-founder and Managing Attorney of Vondra & Shields from 1999 – 2002, was the founder and Managing Attorney of Shields, Hanna & Hayton from 2004 – 2013, and is still closely associated with, and of counsel to, Vondra & Hanna, also one of the High Desert’s premier law firms.

Scott has also served as CEO, President, and vice-president of, and on the board of directors for several highly successful and emerging technology companies. Scott’s expertise in mergers and acquisitions, combined with his deep understanding of technology and the technology industry, make him rather unique in his field. It is this background, experience, and expertise that makes Scott sought after by corporate executives looking to merge with or acquire competitors or other technologies that will enhance and expand their products and services.

Scott has a passion for business, and is a true entrepreneur at heart, especially when it comes to technology. Scott’s many years of business experience on a wide range of industries have given him unique insights in how to startup companies, market and grow companies, sell and acquire companies, and put deals together for his clients. Scott understands business at every level, and understands what it takes to create companies and make them successful. Small and larger companies will benefit by having Scott on your team to consult and coach you through not only legal issues, but to provide expert advice on business plans, marketing strategies, management help, shareholder advice, how to use technology to enhance your business, and many other important business knowledge and skills. This unique knowledge and skill set can be invaluable to small businesses that may not have the resources to hire expensive people with those many skill sets.

As passionate as Scott is about law and technology, his greatest love is his wife Dorene who is his high school sweetheart, best friend, and wife of over 30 years. They are the proud parents of eight children (not a typo!), and have three beautiful grandchildren. Scott loves soccer and loves coaching soccer, and has coached many teams of all ages for many years. Scott also is a strong supporter of the amazing organization that produces so many amazing young men known as the Boy Scouts of America, and he has served in many capacities in the organization over 4 decades. Scott has held various positions of responsibility in a number of community and youth organizations, and in his church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints more commonly known as the Mormon Church). Scott is fluent in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Tahitian.

Attorney At Law: Estate Planning

Julia is licensed to practice law in both California and Tennessee.  She is also licensed to practice before all Federal Courts in California, the United States District Courts in California and the United States Supreme Court.

Julia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English from University of California, Los Angeles, in 1989, and earned recognition as a Regents’ Scholar.  Thereafter she graduated from Pepperdine School of Law in Malibu, California, in December, 1991, earning her Juris Doctorate degree as a member of the Dean’s List and simultaneously earning a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Strauss Institute for Alternative Dispute Resolution, which rigorous program equates to half of an advanced Master’s Degree in Law.  She was honored to be selected by the Late Honorable Judge Anthony Piazza to serve a judicial clerkship in the San Bernardino County Superior Court prior to passing the California Bar Exam.

Julia holds a license as an Affiliate Broker in Tennessee and is associated with the 5th largest real estate brokerage firm in the United States, Crye-Leike, Realtors, using her expertise in law to assist clients in real estate transactions.  Julia served as Judge Pro Tem in both the Municipal and Superior Courts of the County of San Bernardino, State of California, on several occasions, and she has been an Adjunct Professor at Victor Valley Community College, teaching Business Law I and II, Legal Research and Writing and Family Law.

Julia currently practices law in matters of estate planning, probate and trust administration.  Estate planning services generally include the preparation of wills, trusts (including revocable, irrevocable and charitable trusts), powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and funding of all trusts.  When the transfer of assets of a decedent requires a probate, services include representation of executors and administrators of estates from inception until final distribution of the Estate.  In cases wherein the assets of a decedent are held in trust, she represents successor trustees in all aspects of finalizing the trust’s administration through to final distribution.  Although her practice is now limited to the areas of Estate Planning and Administration, she has extensive experience in litigation, both criminal and civil; injury claims; family law; bankruptcy and taxation. 

Active in her communities, Julia is a Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary Club, a certified budget counselor through Crown Financial Ministries, has coached middle school softball, played recreational city league softball, is an active member of her church, frequently serves the homeless through Room in the Inn, and has become an addicted runner, completing several half marathons and even covered the full marathon distance.  For many years, she served her local bar association in the capacities of Secretary and Treasurer.

Julia and her husband, Terry, raise three children, who are currently all teenagers, with their oldest about to start college in the Fall, 2012.