James Watts | Estate Planning

The Law Office of James F. Watts

James Watts | The Law Office of James F. Watts

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James Watts is originally from Webster Groves, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Prior to attending law school, James served five years in the United States Air Force finishing his military service commitment as a Captain and Missile Crew Commander of a Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launch crew at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Arizona. After the Air Force James worked as a National Park Service Ranger at Saguaro (pronounced Sa-War-Oh) National Park near Tucson, Arizona.

James graduated from California Western School of Law, in San Diego, California in 1977 and was admitted to the California Bar the same year. Since then James has been serving clients in the areas of Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law. To further his education James attended University of San Diego Graduate Law School where he earned his Masters of Laws Degree (LL.M) in Taxation which has enabled him to better analyze the tax planning needs of his clients and advise them.

In addition to practicing law James also served for three years as an instructor of estate planning at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). James enjoys long bike rides, international travel and spending time with his family. James is married to Rosy Watts who is a Mexican Attorney who is authorized to practice law in all states of Mexico. Rosy worked in the court in Tijuana for 18 years (starting at age 16) before she left the court to open her own law practice.

Bar Membership:

Member, State Bar of California, 1977.
Certified specialist, Estate planning, trusts and probate, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, 1996–present.

Education:

University of San Diego Graduate Law School, Masters of Law degree (LL.M) in Taxation, 1983.
California Western School of Law, San Diego, CA, Juris Doctor, 1977.
Southeast Missouri State University, Bachelor of Science in Zoology; Minor in Chemistry.
University of Arizona, continuing education while on duty in the USAF.

Publications:

“Liquidation and Re-incorporation as a Tool of the Tax Planner”, Taxes—The Tax Magazine, July 1983 edition
The Criminal Law Enforcement Authority of Park Rangers in Proprietary Jurisdiction National Parks—Where Is It?, 13 Cal. Western L. Rev. 126 (1976).