Tule Trust Talks SERIES: #7
TULE TRUST TALKS
A series highlighting the people behind the Tule Basin Land & Water Conservation Trust.
From staff to volunteers to the Tule Subbasin farmers, we’ll hear about their background, and we'll get down-to-earth details on their involvement, and why they're so passionate about Tule Trust.
For this month’s talk, we reached out to Jim Hurlbutt. He’s a board member of the Tule Basin Land & Water Conservation Trust.
Thanks for talking with us, Jim. Please tell us about your background.
Jim Hurlbutt: I was born in Visalia, graduated from Redwood High in 1973, obtained my undergraduate degree from University Santa Clara in 1977, then graduated from Boalt Hall School of Law, UC Berkeley. Then I came back home to Visalia and practiced law in a firm which was founded in part by my father. After working in litigation for about 15 years, I changed to estate planning and probate law. My solo practice, opened in July 2004, specialized in estate planning, probate, and elder law. I retired and closed my office in June 2021.
I’m a hometown boy of Visalia. My Mom and Dad came to Visalia in 1949. Dad was born in Alaska and, at the age of two, moved with his family to Pacific Grove. Mom was born in Oakland. Dad graduated from the University of Santa Clara in 1942 with a degree in Political Science, at a time when the University only had male students. Mom graduated from the College of Holy Name, in Oakland, with a degree in music, at a time when the College only had female students. Mom focused on voice studies; she had a lovely singing voice. Dad served in the army in the Pacific during World War II and Mom served in the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots, a wartime civil service program. They married in 1946. Dad went to law school on the GI Bill and Mom worked to support them. When Dad finished law school, he found work in a law firm in Visalia.
I am the youngest of four children, all raised in Visalia when it was a much smaller town. After I finished my law school studies I moved back to Visalia to practice law. I met my wife Karen when she was the Assistant Manager of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of Fresno State University with a degree in Journalism and Photography. At the Chamber of Commerce, Karen directed, designed, and wrote the monthly Chamber newsletter which won a statewide honor/recognition. We met at a Chamber of Commerce mixer. She was tending bar and made me a drink; I was immediately interested. We married in 1984. Karen later earned a paralegal certificate and worked as an independent paralegal for several law firms, but not for me. However, when I opened my solo law practice in July of 2004, she agreed to serve as the office manager. Her full-time efforts allowed me to concentrate solely on the practice of law and not office management.
We have one child, Lauren, and one grandson, Miles, who is now 18 months old. Karen and I both retired in 2021 and now enjoy traveling and visiting Lauren, her partner, William, and our grandson. After retiring, I discovered pickleball and now spend a good deal of time on the pickleball court.
How’d you become interested in law?
Jim: My father was an attorney and I always enjoyed speech classes, the performing arts, and a good argument. I have a little bit of a school teacher in me and I always thought it could be of service to clients by educating a client concerning their situation and their options, instead of lecturing them. Given my talents and interests, the practice of law seemed to be the best way for me to be of service to people and to earn a living. As noted above, I spent most of my legal career specializing in estate planning, probate, and elder law.
What motivated you to join the Tule Trust’s Board of Directors?
Jim: Kathy Wood McLaughlin, a member of the Board, kept asking me to join and would not take no for an answer. In addition, I have many friends and former clients who are farmers, and I am concerned about the impact of SGMA on the future of agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. As a lifelong resident of Tulare County, I am concerned about the future of agriculture and the future of the local economy.
“I have many friends and former clients who are farmers….As a lifelong resident of Tulare County, I am concerned about the future of agriculture and the future of the local economy. ”
How has your legal background helped with your work at the Trust?
Jim: I’m able to make sure that the structure and procedure of the Trust are sound. In addition, I am trained to identify relevant issues and related facts. I am also trained to solicit relevant material facts from persons who have the requisite technical training and experience. Finally, I am trained to advocate the position of my client and, if possible, seek a productive resolution of disputed issues. I believe that my participation on the Board reflects this background.
In other words: I try to keep my eye on the ball to make sure that the Trust’s structure and procedures are in good order. I also try to keep the Board’s attention on the big picture to make sure that we do not get lost in details.
How does the Tule Trust work towards common goals for a wide variety of community members—for both farmers and their neighboring community members?
Jim: The Trust must communicate its mission to all its constituents and solicit input from all its constituents. The Board must then in good faith take action consistent with its mission.
Additionally, the Board is a pretty good reflection of the community as a whole. The Board members include farmers (Frank Fernandes, Joey Airoso and Frank Junio), a water management expert (Sarge Green), a wildlife/plant/resource management expert (Kathy Wood McLaughlin) and a career manager of public entities with strong ties to the Allensworth community (Kayode Kadara). These Board members have access to the wide range of advocates and interested parties in the community. Accordingly, the Board does not operate in its own isolated cloud. It is indeed a tough task to balance the competing interests of the wider community but the Board members are well positioned to understand and evaluate those competing interests. Further, the Board understands that its resources are limited and it is committed to making financially responsible decisions moving forward.
Every acre we protect and restore begins with you!
To join Jim in his efforts to help protect ag, the local economy, and the community, please donate today!
The Tule Basin Land and Water Conservation Trust is a 501(c)3 dedicated to protecting the southern San Joaquin Valley’s incredible natural resources and preserving a viable farming economy for the future generations.
