Edward J. Watson
Of Counsel

633 Menlo Avenue, Suite 230
Menlo Park, CA 94025
p: (650) 324-1110
f: (650) 752-6392

180 Montgomery Street, 16th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
p: (415) 362-0900
f: (415) 362-2744

ed@watsonmachado.com

Edward J. Watson
OF COUNSEL
​
​Mr. Watson is of counsel who works out of both the Menlo Park and San Francisco offices, where he advises individuals, families, business clients and charitable and non-profit organizations on their legal matters, including the creation of comprehensive estate plans, focusing on such issues as wealth transfer, family dynamics, planning for incapacity and estate and income tax planning. He also guides and oversees executors and trustees in the administration of estates and trusts. He also serves as a fiduciary in a number of estate and trusts, many of which are long term trusts, established by clients for the benefit of their families and other beneficiaries. Mr. Watson began his career with the accounting firm of John Forbes and Company, after law school, obtaining his license as a CPA, before joining the firm of Dreher, Dreher & Garfinkle in 1974. He became a partner of that firm in 1978. In 2001, the firm, Dreher, Garfinkle & Watson merged with Shearer, Lanctot & Noelke to become Watson and Lanctot, LLP. Mr. Watson has served on the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Northern California since 1996. He also serves as advisor and board member to various nonprofit and religious groups including St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Mateo County and the Capuchin Franciscan Order of California Foundations. He holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of San Francisco and received his law degree from the University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law. Mr. Watson is married and lives in Burlingame, CA where he raised four children. 

Admitted to Bar: February, 1973

Licensed California Certified Public Accountant (inactive status)

Education: 
B.S. Accounting Specialist, University of San Francisco 
J.D., UC Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law

Memberships: 
Bar Association of San Francisco, Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section
​American Association of Attorney-CPAs 

Practice Areas: Estate Planning, including complex tax and charitable planning, Trust and Probate Administration, Business Succession Planning, Corporate and General Business