Attorneys
Leticia "Leti" Martinez - Founding Partner
Leticia Martinez, known as Leti, is a distinguished estate planning attorney and a founding partner of Ambrecht & Martinez, LLP. With a dedicated focus on legacy planning and family business strategies, Leti brings a holistic approach to her practice, catering to high-net-worth individuals and families, business owners, corporate executives, and professional service firms.
Education: Leti earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the University of California, Davis in 1998, graduating with high honors. Her commitment to excellence continued as she delved into the legal realm, obtaining a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from University of California, San Francisco (formerly Hastings College of Law) in 2002. During her legal studies she was an active participant at Hastings, as Managing Editor of the Hastings Law Journal and earning the distinguished Moot Court Oral Advocate Award in 2001.
Areas of Expertise: Leti's areas of specialty encompass a wide spectrum of legal domains, including estate and tax planning, family business succession planning, asset protection, trust administration, and probate litigation. Her comprehensive understanding of these areas allows her to offer tailored solutions to diverse clients with unique needs.
Recognition and Awards: Leti's commitment and excellence have earned her recognition from the Pacific Coast Business Times. She received the Top 50 Women in Business award in 2016 and was honored in the 40 Under 40 category in 2015. These awards underscore her distinction as a leader in business in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.
Community Engagement: Leti has a rich history of dedicated service to her local community. She served for four years as the Walk Event Chair of the Alzheimer’s Association, overseeing The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Santa Barbara. Her commitment extends to various boards and committees, having previously served on the boards of UCSB Affiliates, Friends of the Santa Barbara Public Library, Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care of Santa Barbara Planned Giving Committee, and The Women’s Fund Santa Barbara. An active member of Santa Barbara Women Lawyers, Leti is also a regular volunteer at Calvary Chapel, Santa Barbara Children’s Ministry and CEF’s Good New’s Club.
Personal Life: Leti resides in Santa Barbara with her husband Edward and their two young children, Christian and Isabella and their golden doodle, Cody. Fluent in Spanish, she values connecting with her community and bringing legal expertise to diverse cultural backgrounds.
Leti Martinez's exceptional career, from her legal expertise to her impactful community involvement, showcases her dedication to providing personalized, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive services in estate planning and family business strategies. Her commitment to excellence and community enrichment establishes her as a trusted leader in the legal profession and the Santa Barbara community.
John W. Ambrecht - Founding Partner
With over five decades dedicated to integrating sophisticated and complex estate and tax planning for family business succession, John W. Ambrecht is a seasoned professional and a founding partner of Ambrecht & Martinez, LLP.
Education: John earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1966 and pursued his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at UCLA two years later. His commitment to excellence continued as he delved into the legal realm, obtaining a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Loyola University in 1973 and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University (NYU) in 1974.
Professional Admissions: John was admitted to the State Bar of California (1974), the United States Tax Court (1976), the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (1978), and the United States Court of Federal Claims (1986). These credentials reflect his extensive legal expertise and broad jurisdictional reach.
Distinctions and Awards: Throughout his illustrious career, John has received numerous accolades, including the Super Lawyer Award in 2013. His consistent recognition as one of the Top Attorneys in Southern California for 12 consecutive years attests to his exceptional legal prowess.
Professional Achievements: John's work has provided sustained longevity for family assets, addressing complex planning issues arising from clients' ties to multiple jurisdictions, both nationally and internationally. His expertise spans trusts and estate planning, asset protection, and tax controversies. Notably, he was a principal and founder of Families & Wealth, LLC, dedicated to creating succession, estate, and family governance plans in situations involving family issues or dysfunctions.
Professional Memberships and Community Involvement: Active in various associations, John is a distinguished member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Since 2000, he served multiple years as a Board Member of Westmont College Foundation in Montecito, CA, showcasing his commitment to community engagement. John is currently an active board member of the St. Vincent’s Board, Santa Barbara.
John W. Ambrecht's extensive experience, educational background, and commitment to excellence make him a trusted leader in the intricate field of estate and tax planning. His dedication to solving complex issues and his active involvement in professional organizations reflect a passion for creating lasting legacies for families and their assets.