Harry Equen Westover

He was born in Hollywood on November 11, 1931. Harry’s family was prominent in legal and political circles. His grandfather was a Judge and newspaper man with his grandmother being the first woman elected to the Arizona State Legislature. Harry’s parents were Helen Louise and Harry Clay Westover. Harry’s dad became a Superior Court Judge for Orange County before being appointed as Collector of Internal Revenue for the Sixth District of California. Harry S. Truman later appointed Harry Clay Westover as a Federal District Court Judge, with his dad being honored to give one of the eulogies for President Truman. Harry’s sister Dorothy Wallace Westover was District Council for the IRS in the Southern California Region.

Harry attended Black-Foxe Military Institute where he met his oldest friend, Frank Wood. He attended Hollywood High and the University of Arizona. He became President of Sigma Nu Fraternity where he met his wife LeeAnn, affectionately known as Kitty, at a social mixer. It was love at first sight and they were engaged within the year. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in mechanical engineering and from there attended UCLA Law, with LeeAnn also transferring for her senior year of college.

Harry became an estate, wills and trust lawyer. His specialty was probate litigation and handling complicated matters of administration. His accomplishments include Chairman of the Probate and Trust Law Section of the Orange County Bar Association; General Counsel of First American Trust Company from 1987-1989; Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel; Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law; and he qualified as an expert witness in the Courts of Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. He has also acted as arbitrator, mediator and Judge Pro Tem in the Probate Department of the Orange County Superior Court. Harry also taught Wills and Trusts at Pepperdine Law School and Western State University as an adjunct professor.

Harry had a close relationship with his older cousin John Westover, a trial attorney in Phoenix. In 1994, the two cousins tried the Merrill Miller case which was covered by a series of local newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times. This lawsuit helped to stop the predatory practices of lawyers who were inheriting from their clients. After winning the case, the California State Legislature took note and not long thereafter adopted new law limiting transfers to drafting attorneys.

Harry was a mentor to many men and women who were either starting their careers or looking for a change. He encouraged people to find a line of work that inspired them. His own enthusiasm for the law was contagious and his knowledge of probate unmatched—so much so that he developed the reputation for being the “Dean of the Orange County Trust and Estate Bar.” Without question, he improved the social and professional standards of the society of lawyers in Orange County.

He had numerous partners in the practice of law with various iterations of partnerships starting with Turner & Westover; Westover & Currey; Westover, Currey, Matsen & Mack; Westover & Vollmer; Westover & Matthews, Harry E. Westover & Associates; and ending with Westover & Westover where he practiced with his son Barrett.

Harry had a great love of boating and fishing. He raised his three kids on boating and spent many summers at Emerald Bay and Cherry Cove in Catalina. Harry fished locally and in the Sea of Cortez. When the granddaughters came along, he took them on annual fishing trips to Los Barriles, Mexico. He was a member of The Avalon Tuna Club, Southern California Tuna Club, Balboa Angling Club, Shark Island Yacht Club and The Balboa Yacht Club.

Harry’s wife preceded him in death almost two years ago as did his oldest son Britten Westover. He is survived by his son Barrett and his daughter Alyssa who are both probate and trust lawyers. Harry has four grandchildren Cheryl, Ashley, Victoria, and Jackie, each of whom he is immensely proud. He inspired each to become caring, honest and fiercely independent women.