Dear Mark,

On the legal side you have given my wife and me peace of mind with your diligent review and update of our Family Trust and Wills. The complexity and pit falls that await anyone without a Living Trust, Last Will and Testament, etc. can only be explained and limited by a person of your caliber.

Thank you for the extra effort you have extended on our behalf and feel free to share my feelings and opinions with whomever you choose.

Sincerely, Anthony W.

Three years ago, my wife passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. As a result, I was left with several complicated issues that needed to be addressed legally. I was referred to Mark McGowan, who I met with shortly thereafter. I was immediately impressed.

Mark listened intently, asked tough questions and was always interested in my opinion. I never felt uncomfortable or rushed in any of our meetings. His advice was spot on.

In summary, Mark pointed me in the right direction, kept me focused, and gently guided me through the most difficult time of my life. Brian S.

We have never been in a situation where we absolutely needed an attorney. But the time came when we did. Mark was recommended to us by work associates. From the very beginning at our first meeting, after listening to our explanations, Mark put us at ease with the words, “I want you to set your worries aside, I do this every day and I’m very good at what I do.” Those confidently spoken words did calm our concerns.

After carefully listening and asking more questions, Mark went into action. Over time, our situation was resolved with Mark keeping us informed both verbally and in writing every step of the way. Mark is the definition of professionalism and his explanations were clear and concise.

Hopefully we will never need an attorney again but if we do it will be comforting to return to Mark once again. Just as he said during his first meeting, he is very good at what he does! Ron and Sue S.

Dear Mark, You have been my go to person for the last 4+ years in my domestic partner situation. The last several months you have given me advices that I was sometimes reluctant to take. Fortunately I followed your advice and it saved me a great deal of money I had expected to have to pay. Your professional expertise I am sure I will seek in the future. My sincere thank you for your work on my part. Yours truly, Peggy M.

I have worked with Mark McGowan since 2009. Mark has been reliable and reasonable (fees) throughout a complicated probate issue. I count on Mark and his top notch office staff to inform and educate me on issues that periodically arise. Even when I lived overseas, Mark’s staff kept in touch. They were able to submit documents on my behalf and reschedule appearances when needed. His calm and always professional demeanor is reassuring when appearing in court. I would whole-heartedly recommend Mark McGowan. Christine M.

Dear Mark,

You may not recall this, but my wife and I are second generation clients of yours. You prepared my Mother’s updated trust documents following her move to the desert. That’s how we came to contact you. And now having completed the update of our own trust, I just want to say thanks for a great job. Also, thank you for exceeding our timeline and cost expectations! It was all good!

Happy New Year to you and Elder Mae Charles V.

Mark McGowan has been my attorney for over ten years. He handles all my personal trust affairs in a professional manner. He has always been available to take my calls and answer any questions or concerns that I may have.

Additionally, Mark’s assistant Elder Mae, is very knowledgeable and helpful.

I would certainly recommend Mark’s office to anyone who is looking for a dignified, professional, and knowledgeable law practice.

Sincerely, Marie C.

Mark McGowan has done a wonderful job in handling my affairs in an efficient and professional manner. His ability to explain complicated issues to me makes important issues easier to make. Mark is very professional and puts you at ease, because you know quickly that you have come to the right place and are in good hands.

His intelligence and legal education are at the highest level, as you can tell from his Stanford University and Stanford Law School background. He is also a man of highest integrity and character. And his fees are surprisingly reasonable.

I would strongly recommend Mark’s office to anyone.

Sincerely, Nona E.

Mark is very important in our lives. Mark is very comfortable to work with; so much so that though my wife is not very interested in such things, she is very comfortable sitting and speaking with Mark about any matter. We would highly recommend him to anyone and, in fact, became acquainted with him through a referral made by our neighbor about 12 years ago who had used Mark for many, many years, and we are very happy that she sent him our way, and absolutely would recommend him to any of our friends, relatives or neighbors. Harry W.

I actually was going to interview 3 individuals and as soon as I found Mark, I knew he was the one. I found him to be very interested in me personally in that he wanted to know about my whole background. ….Mark’s practice is unique in that I am able to go to him for not only legal matters but financial matters. It is all kind of under one roof and I don’t have to go to an extra party. Yolonde G.

Mark is a Stanford University Phi Beta Kappa graduate and a graduate of Stanford Law School. He has served the Desert since 1987 and has an integrated practice which can be of great value to clients. Bill K.

Mark McGowan has been a great help to me, setting up my trust, advising me on real estate holdings and my farm here in Georgia. His ability to explain complicated issues to me makes important issues easier to make. I would recommend him and in fact I now run things by him before I sign anything. We all have holes in our education and a fellow like Mark can protect us from ourselves. Lu G.

Mark McGowan has done a wonderful job in handling our estate planning for over 10 years. Mark has responded to all of our questions and concerns with great thoroughness.

My wife and I feel that we couldn’t be in better hands. Dean F.

Dear Mark,

We appreciate the sound advice and attention to detail that you provided in the recent preparation of our estate, trust, and health related documents.

You let us express our concerns, interests, and wishes, and then explained how they could be accomplished in the most effective way. Of particular note was your emphasis on the details of estate administration and taxation minimization. Also, your inquiry technique of many “what ifs” really brought everything into focus.

Our thanks to you and also your most able, efficient and pleasant administrative assistant.

Sincerely, Howard and Monique C.

Mark:

We have utilized you and your legal talents over the past 10+ years, and as this is the beginning of a new year, we wanted to say how much we appreciate your efforts. Your continued professionalism and timely approach to our issues, ranging from real estate arbitration to advice and execution of our trusts, have ensured us of peace of mind.

Thank you. Bob and Norma S.

Mark has handled by legal issues quickly and efficiently. I have complete satisfaction with his services. His assistant, Elder Mae, is also extremely knowledgable and quite an asset to Mark’s practice. Kim B.

For the Desert Bar Attorney Recognition Award I submit the name of Mark McGowan for your consideration.

As his co-worker I this year witnessed Mark’s working through the entire year for hundreds of tough hours above and beyond the very small amount for which he could be paid in order to protect others’ inheritance interests that included that of a five-year old beneficiary who would have otherwise been unrepresented, and whose beneficiary interests would have been otherwise jeopardized.

This was done by Mark at great personal sacrifice, in the face of retaliatory tactics and bad faith litigation, to see that Decendent’s trust terms were not ignored or trampled upon, that there be accountability, and that the right thing be done.

Hats off to Mark, who has so earned the recognition of his highly regarded peers. E. M. McClellan

I found myself needing to seek legal conservatorship over my mother’s estate due to a terminal illness. I let my fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages. Mark McGowan was the first and only attorney I called. We met a few days later. After our initial meeting, I felt and knew that everything would be handled with professionalism and grace. And it was. My husband and I consider Mark McGowan our attorney for our estate now and a consummate professional that our children will be able to rely on in the future. James P.