BoutinJones
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Kelley M. Lincoln
Shareholder
Kelley has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and defense wins in federal and superior courts across California. She has successfully handled probate litigation cases involving high-value estates, businesses, large-scale real property, and millions of dollars at stake. She has tried and won cases involving claims of undue influence, elder abuse, and breach of fiduciary duty. In business and real estate litigation, she has obtained complete defense verdicts in breach of contract and fraud cases. Her trial successes span probate, commercial, and real estate disputes, making her a trusted advocate for clients facing complex legal challenges.
Kelley began her career in escrow and title insurance litigation, successfully defending title companies against high stakes claims and securing non-suit and summary judgments in complex cases. As her practice expanded, she handled real estate and business disputes, including breach of contract claims, lien priority battles, and agricultural lease conflicts. Since 2018, she has focused on estate litigation, handling will contests, undue influence claims, elder abuse, and fiduciary misconduct cases. She has taken numerous probate disputes to trial, securing favorable verdicts in cases with considerable financial implications. Whether representing omitted heirs in large estates or resolving probate issues in business disputes, she delivers results with a strategic and relentless approach.
I thrive when I am in trial, but my goal is always to try to resolve litigation disputes before trial becomes inevitable.
“Whether it’s a multi-million dollar dispute between a trustee and a beneficiary, or a feud among business partners, my favorite aspect of trial is being able to present my client’s story to the judge or jury in a compelling way.”
I am a proud member of the 5 AM Club and love what I can accomplish before the sun rises. Later in the day, I enjoy reading personal development books, going to concerts and spending time in Truckee, California.
Experience
Probate and Trust Litigation
Tried multi-million-dollar cases involving undue influence, elder abuse, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud across multiple California counties. Secured a favorable verdict for a wrongfully omitted heir and litigated probate-related business disputes involving deceased partners and significant assets.
Civil, Commercial and Business Litigation
Obtained complete defense verdicts in breach of contract and fraud cases, including a $700,000 claim against a real estate broker and a $200,000 claim against a car dealership owner, with the latter upheld on appeal.
Title Insurance and Escrow Litigation
Defended title insurers against multi-million-dollar claims, securing a non-suit judgment in a complex case and defeating a federal bad faith insurance claim via summary judgment. Successfully handled lien priority disputes, often resulting in full releases of adverse trust deeds.
Real Estate Litigation
Defended a tenant farmer in arbitration, preserving lease rights and securing equitable access to adjacent fields. Won trial judgments in property possession and easement disputes, including post-foreclosure litigation and a two-week bench trial affirming easement rights.
Involvement
Professional Associations and Memberships
Vice-Chair of the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Leadership Sacramento Program Class of 2025
Sacramento Metro Chamber Leadership Sacramento Alumni, Class of 2008
Board Member of YMCA of Superior California, 2023 to present.
Executive Chair of Operation Protect and Defend, 2018-2019
Executive Committee Member, Operation Protect and Defend, 2012-2019
President, Sacramento Network of Chico State Alumni, 2014-2018
Member at Large, Chico State Alumni Association Board of Directors, 2014-2020
Executive Committee Member, Chico State Alumni Association, 2018-2020
Honors
California Super Lawyer
Sacramento Magazine Top Lawyer
Sacramento Business Journal Best of the Bar