Attorneys & Staff
The attorneys at Hyden Zakheim, LLP have a motto: “Find out what your client wants and figure out how best to accomplish that goal.” You will often hear your attorney ask: “If I had a magic wand that can resolve all your issues, what would you ask me to do?” Of course we don’t have magic wands, but our attorneys will work with you to prioritize your “wishes” into a list of clearly defined goals, then structure your case to gain the best results. This is not to say that we promise to make all your wishes come true but, each client deserves an attorney who will honestly explain what can be done and structure the most effective and cost efficient approach to accomplish your goals.
So, what should you consider when hiring an attorney? Practicing law is 40% science and 60% art. That is why you should look for an attorney with the right “paint brush” for you. We encourage you to ask questions. Some things to consider:
Experience and Knowledge
Experience and Knowledge
Dedication
Dedication
Advocacy
Advocacy
Management of Costs
Management of Costs
Firm Overview
At Hyden Zakheim, LLP we recognize a client hires an attorney to solve a particular issue. From the comfort of our San Ramon offices, we make the process as pleasant and as painless as possible. At the first meeting, feel free to interview us as we discuss with you your legal issues and strategies.
Tim Hyden
Simona Zakheim
Amanda Sinclair
Andrea B. Green
Melissa
Ashley
Shannon
Tim Hyden
- Civil Litigation
- Family Law
- Probate and Probate Litigation
- J.D., McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento, California, 1986
- B.A., University of California, Davis, Davis, California, 1982
- Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley, Board of Directors
- Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council
- Professional Fiduciary Association of California, Affiliations Member
- Contra Costa County Bar Association, Member
- Adjunct Professor of Law, John F. Kennedy School of Law, Pleasant Hill, CA, 1999 – Present
- Speaker, Continuing Legal Education, Contra Costa County Bar Association
- Speaker, Brown v. Board of Education Seminar, John F. Kennedy School of Law
Simona Zakheim
- Family Law
- Immigration
My family immigrated to the United States in 1978 when I was 8 years old. I still have childhood memories of life outside the United States. Some memories are pleasant, others are not. Growing up in the US under the watchful eye of hard working immigrants taught me to strive for success at every turn. I learned to fight for my beliefs, I learned perseverance and most of all I learned that I can define the direction of my achievements. These lessons helped me graduate toward the top of my class from Loyola School of Law, New Orleans in 1995.
My first position after law school was with a firm in down town Los Angeles, focusing on general civil litigation. In 1997 I moved to Northern California where I married my husband. After a few more years as an employee in the legal field, I decided to take some of my parents’ lessons and strike out on my own.
My family background coupled with my experience in law and running a business provides my clients with an attorney who is strong, compassionate and has the resolve and determination to fight for her clients. As an attorney I have learned the law. But as a business owner, I have developed strategies to problem solve, negotiate and help my clients achieve their goals. When taking on a new matter, I work with my client to first determine the most effective course for the case. This includes defining the goals and objectives, but it also requires a careful analysis of my client’s personality. Some clients are fighters and need an aggressive knight who battles for the client’s beliefs. Other clients prefer a more collaborative approach and need an attorney who finds creative solutions outside the courtroom. Finally, I believe that as a good advocate I need to provide not only a “legal win” for the client, but a “win” that can actually translate to that client’s real world.
In sum, I believe an attorney and her client share a bond that reaches a step beyond the law. It’s no accident that attorney-client communication is privileged just as communication between doctors and religious leaders. Clients often share their confidences, their concerns and their fears. It’s my job to tailor my representation for each client to independently match the needs of that individual. It is with these beliefs, convictions and human understanding, that I offer my services to my clients.
Mrs. Zakheim has been practicing law in California since 1996. Her areas of practice include family, estate planning, and business. Although there is no way to quantify success in family law cases (unfortunately almost all end in divorce) her typical clients have this to say about her:
- J.D., Loyola University New Orleans School of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1995
- B.A., California State University, Northridge
- Contra Costa County Bar Association
- California State Bar
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council
Amanda Sinclair
- Estate Planning
- Special Needs Trust Planning
- Trust Administration
- Probate
My practice focuses primarily on estate planning, special needs planning and administrations, probate matters, including administrations and other matters before the probate court, and trust administrations.
I received my Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1993. I went on to earn my juris doctor from the UC College of the Law, San Francisco, with a Tax Concentration in 1997. I was admitted to the State Bar of California in December 1997 and became a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, & Probate Law, by the State Bar of California, Board of Specialization in 2017. I am also a licensed California real estate broker.
I find deep, professional satisfaction assisting and advising clients during times of personal difficulty and stress. I am happy to interface with other service providers, such as accountants, realtors, and financial advisors, to provide seamless client service. My clients include individuals, trustees, executors, guardians, conservators, personal representatives, private fiduciaries, and non-profit agencies. For those of you who know me, I have a child with very severe cognitive, developmental, and medical challenges and have a passion for providing exceptional legal services and support to people living with disabilities or people with loved ones living with disabilities.
I have been associated with Hyden Zakheim, LLP since March 2016. Prior to joining Hyden Zakheim, LLP, I was a partner at Trust & Probate Law Group for nine years. Previously, I practiced in the areas of global stock planning, international corporate structuring, business entity formation, venture financing, and corporate governance, including human resources, real property, and tax matters.
I was born in Augsburg, Germany and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. My personal interests include volunteering for organizations assisting families with children with special needs and local libraries, dachshunds, running, and hiking. Of particular interest to me is helping families with children living with autism, special medical needs, or developmental disabilities in order to maximize their potential, independence, security, and happiness. In May 2013, I joined the Family Advisory Council at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland as a council member and I recently served as the President of the Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council, a multi-disciplinary group of professionals dedicated to improving the estate planning and administration profession.
I was born in Augsburg, Germany and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. I received my Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1993. I received my juris doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law with a Tax Concentration in 1997. I was admitted to the State Bar of California in December 1997. I am also a licensed California real estate broker.
My practice focuses primarily on probate matters, including administrations and other matters before the probate court, conservatorship matters, trust administration, and trust & estate planning. Court accountings are of particular interest to me.
I find deep, professional satisfaction assisting and advising clients during times of personal difficulty and stress. I am happy to interface with other service providers, such as, accountants, realtors, and financial advisors, to provide seamless client service. My clients include individuals, trustees, conservators, personal representatives, and non-profit agencies.
I have been associated with Hyden Zakheim, LLP since March 2016. Prior to joining Hyden Zakheim, LLP, I was a partnter at Trust & Probate Law Group for nine years. Before joining Trust & Probate Law Group, I practiced in the areas of global stock planning, international corporate structuring, business entity formation, venture financing and corporate governance, including human resource, real property, and tax matters.
My personal interests include volunteering for organizations assisting families with children with special needs and local libraries, running, and hiking. Of particular interest to me is helping families with children living with autism, special medical needs, or developmental disabilities in order to maximize their potential, independence, security and happiness. In May 2013, I joined the Family Advisory Council at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland as a council member.
- J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1997
- B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 1993
- Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley
- Tri-Valley Estate Planning Council
- Contra Costa County Bar Association, Member
- California State Bar
Andrea B. Green
- Estate Planning
- Trust Administration
I was born in Decatur, Illinois, but I consider myself to be a Southern California Girl, having spent most of my formative years in the outskirts of the San Fernando Valley. I graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1992, where I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree as a double major in Business Economics and Law & Society. After college, I moved up to the San Francisco Bay Area where I worked in Public Accounting. After a few years, I decided to return to school and get my law degree. In 1998, I received my juris doctor from the Law School formerly known as University of California, Hastings College of the Law (now known as UC Law, San Francisco). While at Hastings, I received the American Jurisprudence award for Federal Income Tax, and a CALI Excellence for The Future Award in both tax and contract writing. I was admitted to the State Bar of California in December 1998.
Prior to joining Hyden Zakheim, LLP, I drafted Estate Plans at Trust & Probate Law Group and was a legal writing and research associate in Pleasanton and Hayward. Today, I assist our clients by bringing a background in accounting and tax matters, as well as in family law, contract drafting and estate planning. My practice focuses primarily on drafting documents for estate plans and trust administrations.
I am happy to find myself at a firm that cares so deeply about the clients and helping them through personal difficulty. I enjoy working with other professionals to provide the best service to our clients.
- J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law (now known as UC Law, San Francisco), 1998
- B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara, 1992
Melissa
Melissa has gained extensive hands-on experience since 2002 when she entered the legal field as a secretary. She obtained the Certified Core Paralegal certification and obtained her Associates of Arts with IT Cybersecurity Certificate. In 2015, she was awarded Employee of the Year (Private Sector) by the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce. Melissa then dedicated 1 year as an Ambassador Chair for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce in 2016. In addition to her accomplishments, she has extensive Family Law experience: from drafting complex motions to mediation preparation to trial advocacy. Melissa’s knowledge and experience surpasses many attorneys. Melissa continues with her memberships with the American Bar Association, the Contra Costa Bar Association, and an avid LGBTQ supporter throughout California.
Ashley
Ashley graduated from UC Davis in 2011 with a B.A. in Sociology. She began her legal career working with Ms. Sinclair as an administrative assistant and bookkeeper in February 2014, then became a Notary in July 2014. After a year of legal experience, Ashley became a paralegal in August 2015. She then joined HZ in March 2016 as a Paralegal, Notary, and Bookkeeper.
Shannon
Our fantastic legal assistant joined our team in 2023 and comes to us with a host of experience. She is happy to help with many issues, including scheduling of appointments.