OUR ATTORNEYS
Regardless of your specific industry, our experienced business attorneys consider your success a top priority. We’ve got the knowledge, real-world business experience and guidance that can optimize protection and keep your business running smoothly. Plus, we give you the tools to make smart business decisions and resolve legal matters efficiently, affordably and with your long-term success in mind.
TODD WINTER, ESQ.
TODD WINTER, ESQ.
Managing Partner
Todd Winter started his firm specifically to focus on small to medium-sized corporate clients in the Western U.S. Todd and his team have been providing corporate, transactional, real estate, and trademark services to clients since 2007 through WINTER LLP’s offices in Orange County, San Francisco, and Scottsdale, Arizona; adding Truckee, California as his home base in 2016.
Over the last 20 years, WINTER LLP has become known as one of the most creative and trusted boutique law firms in California and Arizona, led by Todd’s vast knowledge and expertise in corporate structures, real estate, regulatory compliance (local and state), and intellectual property. He represents some of the largest trademarked brands in California.
As part of Mr. Winter’s ongoing representation of clients, a large portion of his days are spent advising clients on operational, compliance, and general corporate and business needs. In fact, Todd is often relied on as much for his business and operational expertise, as he is for his legal knowledge.
In addition to his role as an attorney and Managing Parter to WINTER LLP, Todd is also a licensed real estate broker through his separate real estate company, WINTER REALTY, which focusses on helping to locate and acquire commercial properties all throughout California. He has helped clients acquire over $60M worth of commercial properties throughout California since 2017.
Prior to founding WINTER LLP, Mr. Winter served as General Counsel to Kittrich Corporation for seven (7) years at its worldwide headquarters in Southern California. Kittrich is a multi-national privately held consumer-products company with offices located throughout the U.S., Canada, China and Hong Kong and has over 500 employees.
Todd earned his B.A. in Economics, with Minors in Japanese and Marketing from the University of Iowa in 1993. Shortly thereafter he started his first career in the high-tech software industry. During the mid-90’s, he worked for two international (Israel and UK) software companies until he ultimately landed in California where he worked as the Western Regional Manager N.A. for a Belgian software and hardware manufacturer in the printing and packaging industry. Todd worked in this capacity prior to and during law school at Chapman University School of Law, where he earned his J.D. in December 2003. Mr. Winter was admitted to the California Bar in June of 2004, and the Arizona Bar in May 2005.
HIEN WINTER, ESQ.
HIEN WINTER, ESQ.
In May 2004, Mrs. Winter received her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law. During law school, Hien completed consecutive summer law programs in Barcelona, Spain, and Tokyo, Japan. In 2003, she clerked for an international law firm in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, focusing on foreign investments in Vietnam.
Prior to law school, Hien received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Davis, in 2000. While at Davis, she interned with the Voluntary Legal Services Program of Northern California where she was first exposed and inspired to work in public interest.
In October 2002, Hien began working at the Public Law Center (PLC) as a volunteer law student. She then accepted a full-time staff attorney position at PLC in December 2004 where she managed the Telecommunications Rights Project, Human Trafficking Collaborative, and the South East Asian Legal Outreach Project (SEALOP). Fluent in both French and Vietnamese, Hien provided culturally sensitive legal assistance and representation to clients on all matters, but in 2006 began specializing in consumer issues.
Hien currently serves as a staff attorney for the California Public Utilities Commission, working on communications matters on behalf of California consumers and the Commission. Combined with her diverse education, specialized language skills and experience with consumer law issues, Hien offers her clients a broad range of experience.
- More than ten years of consumer law experience
- Extensive knowledge and experience in administrative law proceedings, including utility matters
- Experience in appellate proceedings
“WINTER LLP’s well-rounded and resolution-driven approach to legal services provides me the optimal opportunity to utilize my legal expertise and skills to the benefit of clients.”
WENDY (HUAN) LEI, ESQ.
WENDY (HUAN) LEI, ESQ.
Of Counsel
Wendy received her Bachelor’s Degree from University of California, Berkeley in 2011 and Juris Doctor from Chapman University Fowler School of Law in 2016. While at UC Berkeley, she was a First Violinist in the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, and excelled in legal studies classes, thus sparking her interest in legal work. While in law school, Wendy competed with the Alternative Dispute Resolution team, participated in the Mediation Clinic at the Riverside County Superior Court, and was a Merit Scholar.
Wendy is passionate about the legal profession because at WINTER LLP, she has seen first-hand the advantages a strong legal foundation can provide to clients – whether it be through obtaining trademark protection or ensuring compliance with government laws in connection with land use and zoning permits. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants and attending concerts.
Wendy is an associate attorney at WINTER LLP’s Orange County office, with a primary focus in the areas of intellectual property law and municipal planning/land use law. She also assists individuals and businesses with corporate formation and contract drafting and review.
JOHN A. KIM, ESQ., CPA
JOHN A. KIM, ESQ., CPA
Of Counsel
John has more than 10 years of experience working as a financial auditor, IRS Revenue Agent and Big Four tax attorney. He has represented small, midsize and Fortune 500 companies in numerous tax matters, including examinations, alternative dispute resolution arrangements, Pre-filing Agreements, Private Letter Rulings, Closing Agreements and litigation support.
John has advised on transactions and provided both tax due diligence and controversy representation on various tax and accounting matters, including R&D Credit, Mitigation, 9100 Relief, Restricted Interest, Listed Transactions, Accounting Methods, Statute of Limitations, Accumulated Earnings Tax, Debt versus Equity analysis, Uniform Capitalization Rules, Section 453A and 1274 Interest, Penalty and Interest Abatement, Domestic Production Deduction, Basis and Earnings and Profit Studies, FIN 48 Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions, FAS 5 Accounting for Contingencies and FAS 109 Accounting for Income Taxes.
John also has extensive experience in computing and defending the R&D Credit for large companies in the aerospace, pharmaceutical, apparel and other manufacturing industries.
John received his Juris Doctorate degree from Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa and is a member of the California State Bar. In addition, he’s a Certified Public Accountant from the California Board of Accountancy.
- Personalized, quality service of a small firm, backed with extensive IRS and “Big 4” experience
- In-depth experience and expertise in tax, accounting and law—assuring you top quality service
- A wide range of tax, accounting and legal services that meet critical business or personal needs
“I chose to work with Todd Winter and WINTER LLP because they are forward-thinking business partners who offer a full suite of complementary services to their clients with a very personalized touch.”
