AN ASSOCIATION OF ATTORNEYS OTHER THAN A PARTNERSHIP
The firm of Heinly, Benson, Killian & Kramer has continuously served the transactional, business formation, estate planning and administration, and bankruptcy needs of clients throughout the Southern California area since 1980. Clients have been represented in these fields and others throughout such a period, to their substantial benefit. The firm remains at all times prepared to assist those in need of relief or representation in these complex and specialized fields.
Heinly, Benson, Killian & Kramer has been part of the Orange County legal community since 1980 and places a high premium on building and maintaining good client relationships. The firm provides both litigation and transactional services in the areas of Business and Corporate Law, Estate Planning, Real Estate, Contracts, Bankruptcy, Debtor-Creditor Law, Trademarks, Copyright, Personal Injury, Collections, Criminal Defense, and related client counseling.
Business & Corporate Law
Estate Planning
Real Estate
Business & Corporate Law
Business and corporate law encompasses the legal regulations guiding businesses’ formation, operations, and closure, managing contracts, corporate governance, mergers, employment laws, and compliance. Its focus is to ensure legal adherence, resolve disputes, and safeguard the rights of stakeholders within the framework of commercial activities and established legal norms.
Estate Planning
Estate planning involves creating a comprehensive strategy for the management and distribution of one’s assets and properties upon death or incapacitation. It typically includes the drafting of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other legal documents to ensure the desired transfer of assets and the protection of beneficiaries.
Real Estate
Real estate law encompasses the legal principles and regulations governing the ownership, use, and transactions involving land and properties. It includes a broad spectrum of issues such as property acquisition, leases, zoning laws, land use regulations, title transfers, financing, and property development. Real estate law aims to ensure the lawful transfer of property rights, resolve disputes, protect both buyers’ and sellers’ interests, and navigate the complexities of property-related transactions within the boundaries of established legal frameworks and regulations.
Contracts
Bankruptcy, Debtor-Creditor, Collections
Personal Injury
Contracts
Contract law governs the creation, enforcement, and interpretation of agreements between individuals, businesses, or entities. It establishes the rules for forming legally binding contracts, outlining the obligations, rights, and responsibilities of involved parties. This area of law covers various types of contracts, their validity, performance, breach, and remedies for resolving disputes that may arise from contractual relationships. Contract law aims to ensure fairness, clarity, and enforceability in agreements, emphasizing the parties’ intentions and protecting their interests while upholding legal standards and obligations.
Bankruptcy, Debtor-Creditor, Collections
Bankruptcy law encompasses the legal framework designed to provide relief and a structured process for individuals or entities unable to meet their financial obligations. It involves various chapters under which debtors may seek relief, reorganization, or liquidation of assets to settle debts, with each chapter offering different avenues for debt resolution. Bankruptcy law aims to balance the interests of creditors and debtors while facilitating an orderly distribution of assets, offering debtors a fresh start, and ensuring fair treatment and protection for both parties involved in the process.
Personal Injury
Personal injury law pertains to legal remedies sought by individuals who have suffered harm, whether physical or emotional, due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions of another party. It covers a broad spectrum of cases, including accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, and wrongful death. Personal injury law aims to provide compensation for the damages incurred, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, through negotiations or litigation. It navigates complex legal principles to establish liability, assess damages, and ensure fair compensation for the injured party, striving to restore them as closely as possible to their pre-injury condition.
Trademarks & Copyrights
Criminal Defense
Trademarks & Copyrights
Trademark and copyright law safeguard intellectual property rights by providing legal protection for creations and distinctive symbols. Trademark law focuses on protecting symbols, names, phrases, or designs that distinguish goods or services, preventing unauthorized use that could cause confusion among consumers. Copyright law, on the other hand, safeguards original creative works, including literature, music, art, and software, granting exclusive rights to creators for reproduction, distribution, and adaptation of their works. Both trademark and copyright laws aim to prevent infringement, protect the rights of creators, and foster innovation while providing a framework for legal recourse against unauthorized use or reproduction of protected intellectual property.
Criminal Defense
Criminal defense law involves legal representation for individuals accused of committing a crime. It encompasses a range of legal strategies and actions aimed at safeguarding the rights of the accused throughout the criminal justice process. Attorneys in this field work to construct a defense, examine evidence, challenge the prosecution’s case, negotiate with prosecutors, and advocate for the defendant in court proceedings. The objective is to ensure a fair trial, protect the defendant’s rights, and strive for the best possible outcome, whether through acquittal, reduced charges, or minimized penalties, while upholding the principles of justice and the presumption of innocence.
At Heinly, Benson, Killian & Kramer, our attorneys bring decades of experience and a shared commitment to serving clients with integrity, clarity, and proven results. We have been serving our clients’ complex and unique legal needs for over 43 years to their substantial benefit.
Dale Harding Heinly
Founder (In Memorium)
Bruce F. Benson
Attorney At Law
Gene P. Killian
Attorney At Law
Valerie L. Kramer
Attorney At Law
Dale Harding Heinly
Founder (In Memoriam)
A respected attorney and visionary leader, James Heinly established our firm with a dedication to ethical, client-first practice. His legacy continues to guide our work today.
Bruce F. Benson
Attorney at Law
STATE BAR ADMISSIONS: California (1979)
COURT ADMISSIONS: All Courts of the State of California
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: State Bar of the State of California
AREAS OF PRACTICE: Criminal Defense, DUI Defense, Personal Injury
Gene P. Killian
Attorney at Law
STATE BAR ADMISSIONS: California (1979), Colorado (2001)
COURT ADMISSIONS: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; All Courts of the State of California; All Courts of the State of Colorado
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: State Bar of the State of California; State Bar of the State of Colorado; National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys; Orange County Bankruptcy Forum
AREAS OF PRACTICE: Trusts, Wills, and Estates; Bankruptcy Representation for Both Creditors and Debtors, Business Formations; Contracts and Transactions
Valerie L. Kramer
Attorney at Law
STATE BAR ADMISSIONS: California (1984)
COURT ADMISSIONS: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; United States Supreme Court; All Courts of the State of California
In addition to her law degree, Mrs. Kramer has a MBA in the areas of finance and accounting.
GOAL: To provide excellent legal counsel while keeping the clients’ bottom line in mind.
AREAS OF PRACTICE: Both litigation and transactional matters in the areas of Business and Corporate Law, Contracts, Real Estate, Trademark, Copyright, Collections and general civil matters.