Attorney Profiles
William G. Priest, Jr.
Firm principal William G. Priest, Jr. has more than 40 years of legal experience and maintains a diverse practice, handling real estate, business, and construction matters for businesspeople, contractors, and real estate brokers in the San Jose area and throughout California. An expert in franchise and contract law, he handles business formations, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. Leasing, franchise offering reviews, commercial property owner and landlord representation, and business opportunity due diligence reviews are important aspects of his practice. Though Mr. Priest is an experienced and tenacious litigator, he also assists clients in pursuing alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration. He frequently serves as a third party neutral in mediations and arbitrations involving his areas of expertise.
Mr. Priest is a licensed real estate broker and an experienced businessman. He served as a Captain in the United States Navy and Naval Reserve (now retired) and served for more than three years in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era. Outside of his practice, Mr. Priest is involved in a wide range of community activities. He has served as a Judge Pro-Tem for the Santa Clara County Superior Court since 1980. Currently a professor of real property law at Lincoln Law School, he frequently teaches and lectures to continuing education organizations, realtor groups, business brokers, community colleges, civic groups, bar associations, and universities.
Admissions
- California
- Idaho (inactive)
- U.S. District Courts, Districts of Idaho; Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
Education
- J.D., University of Idaho College of Law, 1968
- B.A., Washington State University, 1961
Memberships
- Santa Clara County Bar Association (President, 1999)
- San Jose Downtown Association (Since 1988)
- Silicon Valley Capital Club (Past Chair, Board of Governors, since 1990)
- California Association of Realtors (Since 1986)
- California Association of Business Brokers (Since 1985)
- California State Bar Association (Since 1971)
Community Involvement
- Presiding Hearing Officer, San Jose Civil Service Commission, 1981-1993.
- Community Legal Services, Inc. (Past Director)
- Bay Area Legal Aid, Inc. (Past Director)
- Santa Clara County Bar Association Law Foundation (Past Director)
- Silicon Valley Campaign for Legal Services (Co-Founder; Board of Directors emeritus)
- Fair Judicial Election Practices Commission (Member, 1998-1999)
- San Jose Campaign Review and Ethics Board (Chair, 1994-1997)
- San Jose Civil Service Commission (Chair, 1986, 1991-1993)
- San Jose Charter Revision Commission (Member, 1985-1986)
- Kiwanis of San Jose (Life Member; Division Lt. Governor, 1986-1987; President, 1975-1976; "Kiwanian of the Year," 1979)
Richard van't Rood
Richard van't Rood possesses more than 20 years of legal experience and focuses his practice on construction, real estate, and land use matters. As a licensed general contractor, Mr. van't Rood understands the legal and practical implications of real estate development and construction matters. Mr. van't Rood frequently provides pro bono legal services to local charitable and community organizations.
Admissions
- California, 1989
- Utah (inactive)
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, District of Utah
- California Contractor's license, Class B number 890126
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Brigham Young University Law School
- B.A., Japanese language, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Community Involvement
- Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks (Member)
- Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout)
- Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation (Board Member, 2000-2008)
- San Martin Neighborhood Alliance (Board member, 2004-2009)
