Loeb Secures Appellate Win in Trust Dispute Involving Prominent Fresno Businessman’s Estate

Loeb & Loeb is pleased to announce a significant appellate victory on behalf of firm client, Brent Smittcamp, successor trustee of The Robert Smittcamp Trust and son of the late Robert Smittcamp. Robert was a prominent figure in the Fresno, California, community—a respected businessman, philanthropist and former CEO of Lyons Magnus, a leading food products company. He was also the former co-owner of Wawona Packing, a major fruit company in California’s San Joaquin Valley.

The dispute began in 2021, when Robert’s second wife filed a probate petition challenging the validity of the trust and the characterization of certain assets. Following a five-day bench trial in 2023, the Fresno County Superior Court ruled in favor of Brent Smittcamp, upholding the terms of Robert’s revocable trust and charitable remainder trust, as well as Brent’s actions as trustee.

The petitioner appealed, and the California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District, heard oral argument in May 2025. On May 30, the court issued its decision, affirming the trial court’s judgment in full.

The Loeb team was led by the following members of the firm’s Private Client department: partner Ronald Pearson; David Nelson, partner and co-chair of the Trust & Estate Litigation practice; and senior counsel Lilian Walden Givens.