James P. Hurlbutt:  Attorney James Hurlbutt was born in Visalia, CA in 1955.  He graduated from Santa Clara University in 1977 and UC Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law in 1980.  He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1980.  During the 1980s, he was also admitted to the United States District Courts for the Central, Eastern and Northern Districts and the US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.  Professional affiliations include the Tulare County and State of California Bar Associations, Tulare-Kings Counties Estate Planning Council, and California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Hurlbutt is a community leader, having served on boards of many community organizations and as President of the Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation, the Visalia Rotary Club, and the Visalia Chamber of Commerce.

Tracy Wilson:  Paralegal Tracy Wilson received her Associate of Science degree and Paralegalism Certificate from College of the Sequoias in Visalia in 2003.  The same year she received the 2003 Outstanding Legal Research Award from the COS Paralegal Program, which is an American Bar Association approved program.  Since completing her studies, Tracy has met all continuing education requirements for paralegals set forth by the California State Business and Professionals Code.  Our office is proud of Tracy's wonderful skills  in Probate and Trust Administration, Conservatorships, Legal Research and Litigation, and in her excellent client relations.

Donna Martin:  Before joining our staff in 2005, Legal Secretary Donna Martin had 12 years of managerial law office experience.  She also worked as a corporate administrative assistant and had her own bookkeeping business.  With her diverse skills, Donna assists clients and Attorney Hurlbutt in invaluable ways, preparing documents, fact-gathering, trouble-shooting, and scheduling client appointments and court dates.

Karen Hurlbutt:  Office Manager Karen Hurlbutt has 11 years of legal experience, first as a paralegal, then an office manager.  Karen has a Bachelors Degree in Journalism/Public Relations from Calfornia State University, Fresno and a Paralegal Certificate from the American Bar Association-approved Paralegal Program at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, CA.  Before setting up this solo practice office for her husband, she worked as a legal research assistant at the Tulare County Law Library, then as an independent paralegal for several local attorneys. Now, Karen handles all aspects of managing the law office, including client billing, payroll, administration and maintenance of our computer network, and office supply procurement.

Cassandra Cypert:  File Clerk/Court Runner Cassandra Cypert began working at our office during her senior year at Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia.  She keeps our files organized and up to date and makes daily trips to the courthouse to file and record legal documents on behalf of our clients.  Cassie is now a student at College of the Sequoias in Visalia.