This collection contains court documents filed by and for Petaluma attorney Frank K. Lippett. Includes civil cases related to estates and other matters represented by Lippitt betwen 1904 and 1934. Includes typescript copies of wills and subsequent announcements, attorney notes, court orders and file copies of court transcripts. Records relating to the estate of Martin O'Reilly, dated June 1913-January 1917, were executed by Petaluma attorney Newton A. Johnson; Frank K. Lippitt served as executor.

Frank Kavenaugh Lippitt was born in Petaluma, California, on March 9, 1885. After private schooling with his grandmother in Louisville, Kentucky, he returned to California and took a position in his brother-in-law's San Francisco coal business, then took up law under his father. Frank K. Lippitt entered partnership with his father, attorney (and judge) E. S. (Edward Spaulding) Lippitt (1824-1912), as Lippitt & Lippitt, with offices in the upper stories of the Mutual Relief Building at the corner of Western Avenue and Kentucky Street in Petaluma. He won a number of well-known cases and had a lucrative career, taking over the partnership following his father's death. After Frank K. Lippitt's retirement in June 1917 due to poor health, his associate, Newton A. Johnson (1886-1930), took over the firm until he himself retired and moved to Fresno. Lippitt died at his home in Petaluma on August 14, 1917 at age 52.

2.2 linear feet 2 legal file boxes

Collection does not circulate and may be photocopied or photographed by arrangement only.

Conditions Governing Access: This collection is partially processed. Please contact the Petaluma History Room for access; for contact info and current hours, see