Attorney Robert Lieff Lists His Montecito Estate for $33M

Attorney Robert Lieff has listed a nearly century-old estate in Montecito for $33 million.

The founder of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, the law firm known for litigating such landmark cases as the Exxon Valdez oil spill, is selling the 3.4-acre compound at 2925 Sycamore Canyon Road, according to the Robb Report.

In 2004, Lieff and his then-wife Carole bought the 10,700-square-foot Spanish Colonial Revival mansion for $4.5 million, then spent $2 million more on renovations.

After a divorce, the attorney bought back the seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom estate from his ex-wife in 2012 for nearly $12 million.

Now he and his wife Susan have put the estate known as Los Sueños back on the market. The listing is held by broker Christal Clarke of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.

The two-story mansion, designed by George Washington Smith and Lutah Riggs, was built in 1929 for Rachael Ogilvy Douglas, daughter of a linen manufacturer. It was later owned by Joan Cohn Harvey, widow of Columbia Pictures President Harry Cohn.

A long, tree-lined driveway leads up to the historic white manse, whose terra-cotta roof harkens back to a tribute to Spanish California. A guesthouse contains a former water tower with a spiral staircase winding up four stories to a bedroom with Pacific Ocean views.

The main house, behind a circular driveway around a central fountain, contains marble and hardwood floors, custom chandeliers and rib-vaulted ceilings.

A formal living room with a fireplace has green-trimmed French doors that open out to a balcony. A gourmet kitchen has an eat-in island, butler’s pantry and a breakfast nook.

The mansion contains a formal fireside dining room, a wood-paneled library and office, a master bedroom with a fireplace, sitting area and dual walk-in closets and baths.

Its grounds are lined with rose gardens, olive trees and an orchard astride a red-brick terrace next to a square pool flanked by sculptures. Along with a tennis court, there’s a four-car garage.

Lieff and his wife Susan own and operate wineries in Napa and San Luis Obispo counties.

— Dana Bartholomew