Theodore M. Hankin
Founding Partner
A Southern California native, Theodore “Ted” M. Hankin has been practicing law since 1977. Over the past 40 years, he has continuously combined his experience in finance and business law to deliver quality counsel tailored to his clients’ needs and objectives. Mr. Hankin is well-known in the community and has a reputation as a top-rated lawyer. He works out of Messina & Hankin's Newport Beach office.
Mr. Hankin applies his considerable knowledge in the field of business law to advocate for clients dealing with transactions and litigation, from the formation of a business to its operation and dissolution. He is also a competent real estate and estate planning lawyer, taking care to protect his clients’ financial interests and assert their wishes in these complex matters.
Professional Experience
After graduating from Hastings College of Law with his Juris Doctor degree in 1977 and passing the bar, Mr. Hankin immediately began practicing law. He worked as a partner at the Santa Ana law firm of Oster, Suchman & Hankin and then worked as a sole practitioner in Newport Beach for 22 years before becoming the Chair of the Estates, Probate, and Wills Department at AlvaradoSmith, APC. He then became a partner at Lytton Williams Messina & Hankin, LLP.
Through his decades in practice, Mr. Hankin has amassed a considerable amount of experience inside and outside of the courtroom. He has represented numerous high-profile business clients and banks and has extensive estate planning experience. He has represented clients before the Internal Revenue Service, Securities & Exchange Commission, National Credit Union Administration, and more. No opponent is too formidable for Mr. Hankin’s experience and drive.
Education
- University of California Los Angeles, Bachelor’s in Economics (1974)
- University of California, Hastings College of the Law, Juris Doctor (1977)
Admitted to Practice
- All California State Courts (1977)
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- Certified Public Accountant (1978)
Memberships & Associations
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of California
- Orange County Bar Association - Masters Division
- American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants
- California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Awards & Recognitions
- Who's Who Top Attorneys of North America (2018-2019)
Published Articles:
- Is Probate in California Always Required When Someone Dies? - May 1, 2017, The Valley Business Journal