StoneBridge Counsel APC

StoneBridge Counsel APC is a San Francisco-based law firm focused exclusively on property tax law. The attorneys here have spent years working through California's complex assessment system, representing commercial and residential property owners before county assessment appeals boards and the State Board of Equalization. They know the local market conditions, assessor practices, and procedural quirks that can make or break an appeal. The firm handles everything from routine over-assessments to contested commercial valuations worth tens of millions. Clients range from individual homeowners who suspect their tax bill doesn't reflect reality to institutional investors managing large portfolios across multiple California counties. StoneBridge takes a methodical approach, grounding every case in solid appraisal data and a clear legal strategy rather than hoping the assessor makes a mistake.

StoneBridge Counsel APC offers a full range of property tax services for California property owners. Their core work is assessment appeals, where they challenge the county assessor's valuation by presenting independent appraisal evidence and legal arguments to the Assessment Appeals Board. They handle both informal review requests and formal board hearings, which means clients don't have to escalate unless it makes strategic sense. Beyond appeals, the firm reviews properties for ongoing assessment accuracy, especially useful after market downturns when assessed values can lag behind falling prices. They also assist with Proposition 13 base year value disputes, change-in-ownership analyses, and new construction exclusion claims. For business clients, they handle personal property assessments and filing compliance to reduce audit exposure. StoneBridge also advises on property acquisitions, flagging assessment risks before a deal closes so buyers aren't surprised by a reassessment in year two. Their post-sale reassessment reviews are particularly valuable for commercial buyers in San Francisco, where the gap between market price and assessed value can be substantial. The firm works on a contingency basis for most appeal matters, so clients pay only when they save.

The process starts with a free property review. StoneBridge looks at the current assessed value, recent sale data, comparable assessments in the neighborhood, and any relevant market conditions. If there's a reasonable case for reduction, they'll explain what they found and what the potential savings look like before asking for a commitment. If you decide to move forward, they prepare a formal appeal application and gather supporting evidence, typically an independent appraisal or market analysis. The county has its own review process before a formal hearing is scheduled, and StoneBridge handles all communication with the assessor's office during that period. Many cases settle at this informal stage. If the case goes to a formal hearing, their attorneys present the evidence directly to the Assessment Appeals Board. After a decision is issued, they review the outcome and advise on next steps if the result wasn't satisfactory. Throughout the process, clients get straightforward updates without a lot of legal jargon.

StoneBridge Counsel APC primarily serves property owners in San Francisco County but regularly handles matters across the broader Bay Area, including San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties. They're familiar with the assessor practices and market conditions in each of these jurisdictions. For large portfolio clients, they can coordinate multi-county strategies to maximize overall tax savings.