Professional Alliances
Matt Walding
Estate Planning Attorney
Matt Walding brings over 20 years of legal experience spanning trusts and estates, tax, business, and non-profit law. Prior to forming Santos Walding LLP, Matt worked in the tax department of two elite New York City law firms, Paul Hastings LLP and Proskauer Rose LLP. He also deepened his practical experience as Senior Director of Tax at Tishman Speyer Properties.
Today, Matt is dedicated to empowering individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to achieve their goals. He specializes in helping individuals of all income levels achieve their trust and estate planning goals.
He works closely with small and mid-sized businesses and their owners, providing counsel on optimal tax and business outcomes in venture formations, acquisition transactions, and successful exits. For non-profit organizations, Matt offers expert guidance on their operations, investments, and transactions.
Activities & Affiliations
Member, California Lawyers Association, Taxation Section
Member, California Lawyers Association, Trusts and Estates Section
Samy Basta
CPA
Samy is a seasoned CPA and tax strategist with over 25 years of experience helping real estate and tech companies keep more of what they earn while scaling for sustainable growth. As the founder of Basta & Company, he leads a team dedicated to simplifying the complex world of taxation so business owners can focus on what truly matters—building and expanding their vision.
Throughout his career, Samy has guided clients ranging from bootstrapped startups to established enterprises, offering tailored solutions that align with both immediate goals and long-term success. His approach combines deep technical expertise with genuine care, ensuring every client feels supported, informed, and empowered.
Outside the office, Samy brings the same passion for creativity and balance to his personal life—whether he’s strumming his oud, perfecting his (now legendary) baklava recipe, or exploring new destinations with his wife, Megan.
Farshad Rostambek
EA
Farshad specializes in developing, implementing and monitoring tax management strategies.
His goal is to provide small businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals with everything they need to make financial decisions effectively and efficiently.
Prior to starting his own firm, Farshad held key tax positions with several other public accounting and wealth management companies.
In early 2003, he founded North Bay International Investments, Inc. (NBI) and was hands-on managing every aspect of NBI from raising capital to analyzing and bidding on investment deals and managing projects
Farshad is a federally authorized tax practitioner empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers for audits, collections and appeals.
Farshad graduated from New York University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He furthered his studies in Accountancy by attending Clarion University to complete the CPA qualifications.