Natalie N. Mutz

Attorney

Natalie Mutz works with the firm’s trust and estate practice group, focusing on all aspects of estate planning, trust administration, and trust litigation. In addition, Ms. Mutz has a keen interest in business and corporate law, land use, and real estate matters. She is committed to providing thoughtful, comprehensive estate planning services to individuals and families from all walks of life, ensuring they have the tools to protect their assets, provide for their loved ones, and plan for the future with confidence. With 15 years of litigation experience, she takes pride in helping clients develop strategic plans that proactively minimize risks and prevent potential conflicts.

Originally from southern California, Ms. Mutz grew up in northwestern Washington state. She earned her B.A. in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and her law degree from Southwestern Law School. She is proficient in Spanish.
Before beginning her legal career, Ms. Mutz traveled the world extensively while working for the JET Program in Osaka, Japan. She returned to California in 2007 to begin her legal career.

Dedicated to her community, Ms. Mutz serves as the Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors for the Santa Barbara Women Lawyers, and as chair of its Membership and Advocacy Committees, a member of its Community Outreach, Fundraising, and Scholarship Programs, and leads a mentoring circle, among other contributions. She previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Montessori Center School and remains involved in the school’s Site Development committee. For each of the past three years, she has enjoyed judging Santa Barbara County’s annual High School Mock Trial Competition. An avid equestrian, she also volunteers several hours each week with Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center. In her free time, she enjoys reading, making art, and spending time with friends and family.

Professional Experience

  • Represented a corporate landowner in an enforcement action by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, negotiated a Streambed Alteration Agreement, and facilitated the satisfaction of a judgment requiring remediation and restoration of 6 acres along the Santa Ynez River.
  • Drafted a Declaration of Covenants Conditions and Restrictions for a proposed new build-to-rent housing development.
  • Assisted a local independent school in obtaining a Conditional Use Permit for the prospective development of a new school site.
  • Assisted a nonprofit organization in obtaining County entitlement to rezone and develop a 11-acre parcel of agricultural land for affordable housing.
  • Obtained a favorable settlement for an aviation logistics consultancy in a contract dispute with its customer.
  • Secured a favorable settlement for a business partnership in a professional accounting malpractice lawsuit.
  • Obtained a million-dollar federal jury verdict for a patternmaker and clothing manufacturer in a commercial dispute with a large clothing design company.
  • Represented a bestselling author in a federal lawsuit for breach of contract against a movie studio.
  • Settled a boundary line dispute for a client whose neighbor had an encroaching fence.
  • Defended an insurance company in a bad faith claim arising under a homeowners insurance policy.
  • Represented homeowners in a premises liability case arising from an unknown dangerous condition on their property.
  • Successfully defended a homeowners’ association in a premises liability suit where trespasser was injured while using the property for recreational purposes.
  • Served as Cumis counsel to a corporate contractor in a construction defect litigation.

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • California Bar Association
  • Santa Barbara County Bar Association
  • California Women Lawyers
  • Santa Barbara Women Lawyers

Education

  • Southwestern Law School, J.D.
  • University of California, Santa Cruz, B.A., Politics
  • Autonomous University of Barcelona, International Politics

Community Involvement

  • Montessori Center School Board of Trustees (2022-2024), Development Committee (2021-2022), Site Committee (2024-2025)
  • Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Board of Directors (2024 President), Programs Committee (2024), Annual Dinner Committee (2024), Advocacy Committee (2022-2024), Onward & Upward Scholarship Committee (2023), Community Outreach Committee (2021-2023), Fundraising Committee (2023-2024)
  • Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Foundation Board of Directors (2023 President)
  • Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee / Legislative & Advocacy Committee (2023-2024)
  • Santa Barbara Women’s Health Coalition / Maternal Health Committee and Adolescents through Young Adults Committee (2023)
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