On this page
About the practice
C. Bruce Hamilton is a Palo Alto attorney whose small practice centers on wills, trusts and estate planning, along with the administration and disputes that can follow a death or a contested trust. The firm lists two offices. The Palo Alto office is at 260 Sheridan Avenue, Suite 200, close to the California Avenue Caltrain station. A second office is at 95 South Market Street, Suite 300, in downtown San Jose.
The firm says it has served individuals for more than 25 years across the South Bay, from San Mateo to San Jose. Its website presents the work as a specialized practice rather than a general one. It promises honest assessments of each matter, good or bad. It also promises careful attention to detail. The site also says the office returns phone calls within one business day.
Practice areas
The firm groups its work into four areas on its practice page:
- Wills, trusts and estate planning. The documents that set out who receives property and who manages it.
- Trust and probate estate litigation. Disputes over trusts and estates, which can involve trustees, beneficiaries or other family members.
- Trust and probate administration. The work of settling a trust or taking an estate through probate after someone dies.
- Real estate and business transactional advice. Help with property and business deals rather than courtroom matters.
The website does not break these headings into detailed service lists, so ask on the first call whether your matter fits. This page describes the practice only. It is not legal advice. Nothing here should stand in for a conversation with a lawyer about your own situation.
About the attorney
According to the firm's attorney profile, C. Bruce Hamilton was born in San Francisco and raised in Palo Alto, where he lives with his wife and three children. He holds Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor degrees from Brigham Young University and a Master in Taxation from New York University.
The profile lists a range of professional and civic roles. It names membership in the Trusts and Estates section of the California State Bar and the Executive Committee of the State Bar's Business Law Section. It also lists service as president and board member of the Financial Planning Forum, membership in the Professional Advisors group for the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford and a seat on the Palo Alto citizens committee for HUD Community Block Grants. The profile does not give dates for these roles. You can confirm any California lawyer's license status through the State Bar of California's public attorney search.
How to get started
The website invites new clients to call for a free consultation. The Palo Alto number is 650-329-5992 and the San Jose number is 408-850-9998. There is also a contact email listed on the site. Office hours are not posted on the website, so plan on an appointment rather than a walk-in visit.
The site describes its fees as competitive and reasonable but does not publish rates. Ask how billing works at the first meeting and get the terms in writing before work begins, so you know what a will, a trust or a court matter is likely to involve.
A little preparation makes a first meeting more useful. Gather any existing will or trust, a rough list of what you own, such as a home or accounts. Add the names of the people involved. If a trust or estate is already in dispute, bring any letters or court papers you have received.
Who the firm suits
The practice is aimed at individuals and families rather than large companies. It fits Palo Alto residents who want a local lawyer for a first will or trust and people updating older documents. It also suits family members serving as a trustee or executor, along with anyone facing a disagreement over a trust or estate. The real estate and business work makes it a possible fit for owners who want help with a property or business transaction.
With offices in both Palo Alto and San Jose, the firm can also work for families spread across the Peninsula and the South Bay. A family home is often the largest asset in a local estate, so our Palo Alto real estate guide gives useful background on the housing market. Our living in Palo Alto page covers the wider picture for residents.
Visiting the Palo Alto office
The Sheridan Avenue office sits a short walk from California Avenue, one of Palo Alto's two main shopping streets. Our California Avenue guide covers the restaurants, cafes and Sunday farmers market nearby. If you come by Caltrain, the California Avenue stop is only a few minutes away on foot. Drivers should allow a few extra minutes to find a space and check posted time limits.
Location and getting there
C. Bruce Hamilton, Attorney at Law is at 260 Sheridan Avenue, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area of Palo Alto. Our California Avenue guide covers what else is around.
The California Avenue Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.
Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).
Hours
| Monday to Friday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
|---|
Hours from OpenStreetMap contributors, checked October 29, 2026.
What is nearby
- Caffe Riace, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
- Cafe Pro Bono, restaurant, 0.1 mi
- The Farm, restaurant, 0.1 mi
- The Coder School, school or studio, 0.1 mi
- FedEx Office Print and Ship Center, California Avenue, service business, 0.2 mi
- Bowden Park, 0.2 mi
- Peers Park, 0.5 mi
- College Terrace Library, 0.5 mi
Other professional services nearby: WilmerHale (0.2 mi); Lee Aldinger Insurance (0.3 mi); Irvin, Abrahamson & Company (0.3 mi); Law Offices of Nancy M. Martinez, P.C. (0.3 mi). Browse the full professional services list.
Before you go
- Most firms meet by appointment only. Call or email before visiting the office.
- Ask about fees, billing and what is included before you sign an engagement letter.
- Check professional licenses through the relevant California board, such as the State Bar or the Department of Real Estate.
About this listing
Checked October 29, 2026 against Official website; Attorney profile; Practice areas; About the firm; Contact page. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is C. Bruce Hamilton, Attorney at Law in Palo Alto?
C. Bruce Hamilton, Attorney at Law is at 260 Sheridan Avenue, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 0.2 miles away.
Does C. Bruce Hamilton offer a free consultation?
Yes. The firm's website invites people to call for a free consultation. The Palo Alto number is 650-329-5992. The site says calls are returned within one business day.
What kind of law does C. Bruce Hamilton practice?
The firm lists four areas: wills, trusts and estate planning; trust and probate estate litigation; trust and probate administration; and real estate and business transactional advice.
Does the firm have an office outside Palo Alto?
Yes. Besides the Palo Alto office on Sheridan Avenue, the firm lists an office at 95 South Market Street, Suite 300, in downtown San Jose. That office's number is 408-850-9998.
What are C. Bruce Hamilton, Attorney at Law's hours?
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..