Mediators

Mark Russakow

Founding Partner

Mark Russakow is a seasoned trust and estate litigator and skilled mediator with more than 30 years of experience in high-stakes disputes. As a partner at Trust Law Partners, he has handled contested trusts and wills, fiduciary misconduct claims, and complex probate matters across California. Clients turn to Mark when the case is too contentious, too emotional, or too complicated to risk an uncertain trial.

Mark’s background is firmly rooted in the courtroom. He has tried civil jury cases and contested probate matters on both the plaintiff and defense sides. That experience gives him a clear sense of how judges view evidence, how juries respond to family conflict, and what a “realistic” outcome actually looks like. In mediation, he uses that perspective to help parties weigh risk, understand likely results, and structure resolutions that are practical, enforceable, and focused on preserving assets. 

Colleagues and clients describe Mark as calm, direct, and relentlessly patient. He is comfortable staying with a difficult case for as long as it takes, including multi-party disputes that stretch over months or years. Even in highly charged family fights, he has a reputation for lowering the temperature, finding the real points of leverage, and moving the discussion back toward solutions.

Mark’s professional record reflects the respect he has earned in the field. He has been selected to Super Lawyers 14 times, named a Rising Star 3 times earlier in his career, and maintains a 10.0 rating on Avvo. Those recognitions mirror what his clients already know: he brings serious trial experience, careful preparation, and practical judgment to every mediation.

Whether the dispute involves a contested amendment, a fight over a trustee’s conduct, or a complex set of charitable and family interests, Mark’s goal is the same: help the parties reach a resolution that they can live with, without giving up the leverage and discipline that comes from knowing how these cases play out in court.

Jeff Lowe

Managing Partner

Jeffrey R. Loew is a trust and estate litigator who has spent more than twenty years in the middle of high-stakes fiduciary disputes. As Managing Partner and Chief Legal Officer at Trust Law Partners, he has tried, negotiated, and resolved cases on behalf of beneficiaries, trustees, and other fiduciaries, which gives him a grounded perspective on what it really takes to settle serious cases outside of court.

Jeff’s mediation work grows out of that deep litigation background. He has represented clients at both the trial and appellate levels in contested trusts and wills, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and complex multi-party estate matters. Because he has seen how judges think about evidence and how juries react to family conflict, he is able to talk candidly with parties about risk, strength, and weak spots. That honesty helps people move from “what I wish would happen” to “what is realistically achievable.”

Few mediators bring Jeff’s credentials to the table. He is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, a designation held by a very small number of California attorneys and even fewer full-time litigators. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), has been selected repeatedly to Super Lawyers and named among the Top 100 Attorneys in Northern California, and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Litigation – Trusts and Estates. For more than a decade, he has also served on the court-approved trust and probate mediation and settlement conference panels in San Mateo County and Santa Clara County.

In mediation, Jeff is steady, practical, and engaged. He spends time understanding how each side sees the case, then connects that perspective to what is likely to happen if the dispute continues in court. Parties appreciate that he does not sugarcoat legal realities, but he also does not dismiss the emotional weight of family disputes. His goal is to help people make informed choices that protect assets, reduce litigation risk, and let them move on.

Jeff is also a regular speaker and instructor on trust and estate litigation topics. He teaches other lawyers about fiduciary duties, trust contests, and settlement strategy, which keeps him closely connected to current law and practice. That same teaching instinct shows up in mediation sessions, where he helps parties understand not just what a proposal says, but why it works and how a court is likely to view it.

Whether the case involves a contested amendment, a fight over trustee conduct, or a complex estate with multiple families and charities involved, Jeff brings litigation-tested judgment, patience, and clear analysis. Parties turn to him when they need a mediator who understands high-value trust and estate disputes from every angle and can help them reach a resolution that will stand up in the real world.

Jeff Hall

Senior Partner

Jeff Hall is a seasoned trust and estate litigator and mediator who has spent his career in the middle of serious fiduciary disputes. As a partner at Trust Law Partners, he has represented beneficiaries, trustees, and other fiduciaries on both sides of contested trust, will, and estate matters. That dual perspective gives him a clear understanding of how each side views the case, and what it will take to bring them to common ground.

Jeff’s mediation work is grounded in years of trial and negotiation experience. He has handled matters involving contested amendments, allegations of trustee misconduct, and complex multi-party estates. Because he knows how judges analyze evidence and how unpredictable trial outcomes can be, he is able to talk candidly with parties about risk, leverage, and realistic results. His focus is always on helping people resolve disputes in a way that protects assets and avoids the escalating costs and stress of prolonged litigation.

Clients and colleagues value Jeff’s calm, methodical approach in emotionally charged settings. He listens carefully, isolates the real points of disagreement, and then works with the parties to explore solutions that are both practical and durable. He understands that trust and estate cases are not just about money, but about family history, expectations, and a lifetime of relationships, and he balances that reality with a clear view of what the law will and will not do.

For high-net-worth families, complex estates, and disputes that already feel stuck, Jeff brings a combination of litigation insight, negotiation skill, and steady judgment. His goal in every mediation is straightforward: help the parties reach a fair resolution they can live with, and do it in a way that reduces conflict rather than prolonging it.

Matthew Thompson

Senior Attorney

Matthew Thompson is a seasoned litigator and mediator with more than a decade of experience representing clients in high-stakes disputes and a solid track record for settling cases. As a Senior Attorney at Trust Law Partners, Matt’s primary focus is on trust and probate litigation. Known for his strategic acumen and approachable style, he combines rigorous legal analysis with a genuine commitment to client advocacy.

A Colorado native, Mr. Thompson earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado Denver, graduating with Dean’s List honors. He went on to obtain his Juris Doctor from Western State College of Law in Fullerton, California, and was admitted to the California State Bar in 2012. He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of California.

Following his admission to the bar, Mr. Thompson founded and managed his own successful practice, handling complex matters in family law, contract disputes, and personal injury litigation. This broad-based litigation background has proven invaluable in his work at Trust Law Partners, where he represents beneficiaries and heirs in disputes involving wills, trusts, and estates.

Colleagues and clients alike commend Mr. Thompson for his ability to diffuse tense situations and negotiate favorable resolutions without unnecessary conflict. At the same time, he is recognized as a formidable advocate in the courtroom when litigation becomes necessary.

For Mr. Thompson, trust and probate litigation is both a legal and moral calling:

“Wills and trusts litigation is an incredibly rewarding area of law. We often seek justice for the elderly and infirm who have been taken advantage of in moments of vulnerability, and we ensure their true wishes for their loved ones are honored.”

Mr. Thompson is available to represent clients across Trust Law Partners’ offices in Pasadena, San Mateo/Silicon Valley, San Diego, Newport Beach, and Santa Barbara.