Hello and Welcome!
With 15 years of experience as an attorney licensed to practice law in California State and Federal Courts, I have tried cases to juries on behalf of many clients. Throughout my years of practice in California courts, I developed exceptional writing and oral advocacy skills while representing large and small business clients. I moved to Las Vegas last year and no longer formally practice law, but I still carry the same skill set. I have worked in Nevada to assist consumer fraud victims in their quest for justice and recovery of damages. I recently created a "Do it Yourself" Lawyers resources website to assist consumers with tools they need for successful self representation. In addition, I provide contract attorney services to small or mid-sized law firms in need of litigation support, expert law and motion preparation, or exceptional and intuitive trial preparation assistance. I am a highly skilled and energetic professional legal consultant available for contract work or other paralegal employment opportunities.
Richard J. Mathias, J.D.
Counselor & Advocate
Phone:
(702) 929-9192
Email:
Address:
P.O. Box 364923
North Las Vegas, NV 89036
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Date of Birth:
August 8, 1963
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Website:
richmathias.net
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EXPERTISE
EXCEPTIONAL WRITTEN ADVOCACY
Drafted winning briefs in federal appeals court case resulting in major victory for labor union client. Exceptional success in law and motion research and writing: achieving results through sharp, focused advocacy. Wrote complex public policy reports, legislative impact summaries, and policy recommendations for 13 County governments involved as parties to State Medi-Cal reimbursement rate litigation. Prepared research reports, conference materials, and educational white papers in support of proposed legislation amending Rules of Civil Procedure, legislation prohibiting sexual orientation and HIV/AIDS discrimination in the workplace, and other public policy initiatives. Drafted Issue Briefs and Fact Sheets to support legislation sponsored by APLA and other HIV/AIDS Health Care providers.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LITIGATION
Directed the prosecution of complex intellectual property claims in an epic “bet the company” legal battle against International Business Machines (“IBM”). Arising out of the global release by IBM of computerized encryption technology built on software and firmware that appeared substantially identical to proprietary code written by a software developer employed by my client, a small data encryption firm. When all hope seemed lost after two years of exhaustive litigation that consumed all of my client’s financial resources, the Federal District Court granted our motion for summary judgment. That crucial decision, together with an order awarding the company all legal fees, set the stage for a settlement that resulted in IBM purchasing the software and paying royalties.
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION & COUNSELING
Served as lead counsel for numerous Fortune 500 and mid-sized employers defending against claims and lawsuits involving allegations of wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, and termination in violation of public policy (whistleblower cases). Conducted internal investigations of sexual harassment, discrimination and other claims, while creating extensive management training programs designed to proactively prevent liability. Obtained summary judgments in numerous high-stakes discrimination cases saving my clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. Experienced mediator retained to resolve sensitive employment claims before litigation is commenced. Served as General Counsel for the Professionals in Human Resources Association, a national trade association.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RICH MATHIAS CONSULTING
Provide project-based litigation support to law firms in need of highly skilled, expert law and motion drafting, legal research, discovery work, motion practice, or trial preparation. Experienced in intellectual property matters and labor and employment litigation in state and federal courts. Most recent engagements resolved with judgments clearing title to residential properties.
2012 - present
Executive, Digital Marketing & e-Commerce
AMAZON DYNAMICS
Successfully launched consulting business comprised of highly skilled team of Amazon experts providing specialized, cutting edge marketing tactics and tools to create and optimize sales platforms on all Amazon marketplaces worldwide.
2009 - present
Executive, Consumer Products Manufacturing
2006 - 2009
Government Relations Specialist
1996 - 2000
Founder & CEO
1993 - 1996
Senior Litigation Associate
RICH MATHIAS ENTERPRISES (RME)
After twenty years as a trial attorney and litigator, founded a consumer products design and manufacturing company. Owns & operates global brands including New World Cuisine, Pro Chef Nicer Dicer Plus, and PowerMax consumer electronics. Based in Los Angeles, RME now operates more than a dozen home-based, internet and digital marketing businesses promoting a broad range of products and professional services, including commercial website design, creation, hosting, and management.
AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES
Coordinated the Agency's public policy and legislative advocacy programs, both nationally and locally, to effectuate more humane and progressive policies affecting those living with HIV/AIDS. Effectively led a National coalition of service providers in numerous meetings with Members of Congress and the California State Legislature that culminated in the successful passage of legislation that significantly increased the quality of care to those living with HIV/AIDS, while dramatically increasing access to prevention and education programs to more at-risk communities. Served as special liaison to Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar for Health Care Reform.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COOPERATIVE (ASC).
LAW OFFICES OF LEROY S. WALKER.
GREGG A. EICHLER & ASSOCIATES.
Provided critical litigation support to the ASC General Counsel and two small law firm clients in all aspects of litigation. For ASC, completed discovery and prepared significant case involving the company's owner for jury trial. Conducted extensive research in support of discovery motions and successfully opposed summary judgment. Completed extensive witness preparation for trial, drafted jury instructions, motions in limine, trial briefs, and filed daily pocket briefs for the Court to manage and guide evidentiary rulings. Monitored jury behavior, drafted closing evidence brief, and finalized trial counsel's closing argument and supporting demonstrative exhibits. Jury returned a $350,000 verdict in favor of ASC's owner, thereby ending an internal Board of Directors conflict that had threatened the company's existence.
RICHARD J. MATHIAS & ASSOCIATES
Founded and successfully managed a small, four-lawyer labor and employment boutique law firm specially dedicated to providing the best quality legal defense and counseling services to California employers without the obscene hourly rates charged by the state's leading big firms. Representative clients included the nation's largest organized labor union of U. S. Postal Workers, several large Southern California retail chains, furniture manufacturers, financial institutions, wineries, automotive dealerships, fast food chains, and myriad large and small businesses throughout the state.
SONNENSCHEIN DENTONS
A recognized leader in client development in the Firm's labor and employment department, managed all litigation defense and employment counseling activities for 19 clients, supervising upwards of seven associate attorneys in defending more than 40 active litigation matters. Served as lead trial counsel in several jury trials involving employment disputes, while building a broader practice of labor mediation and neutral evaluation as effective means of alternative dispute resolution. Served as general counsel for several employer-based trade associations and wrote extensive articles and training manuals for use in corporate training programs.
1988 - 1993
Litigation Associate
FOLEY & LARDNER.
WESTON BENSHOOF / ALSTON BIRD.
Litigation associate concentrating in commercial contracts, intellectual property, and labor and employment discrimination actions against private and public employers. Successfully defended major retail chain in more than 50 premises liability cases and obtained summary judgments in several wrongful termination actions by executives who were laid off during re-structuring. In a rare matter representing a plaintiff, obtained $825,000 judgment for high school teacher following bench trial on his claim that he had been terminated by a local school board in retaliation for exercising his free speech rights.
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2000 - 2006
Litigation Management Consulting
2015 - present
Litigation Management & Consulting
EDUCATION
1985 - 1988
Juris Doctor Degree
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER
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Instructor of Legal Research and Writing for First Year law students.
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Executive Editor, The Tax Lawyer.
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Internships at the United States Department of Justice and the White House Office of Political Affairs.
1981 - 1985
Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service Degree
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE
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Honors Graduate, National Security Affairs.
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Editor, the Hoya student newspaper.
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Internships at the White House Office of Public Liaison, United States Department of State, National Conservative Political Action Committee.
1981
High School Diploma
DAMIEN HIGH SCHOOL
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Salutatorian.
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National Debate Championship 1980, 1981.
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California State Debate Championship 1980, 1981.
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Internship, David Dreier for Congress Campaign 1980.
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Intern, Office of Congressman David Dreier 1981.
STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA
ADMISSIONS & LEADERSHIP
Admitted to State Bar of California, 1988
Member, State Bar of California, 1988 - 2001.
Admitted, United States District Court, Central District of California, 1988.
Admitted, United States District Court, Northern District of California, 1989.
Admitted, United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1989.
State Bar of California, Board of Governors
Member, Board of Governors of the State Bar of California 1995-96.
President, California Young Lawyers Association, State Bar of California, 1994-95.
Member, Board of Directors, California Young Lawyers Association, 1992-1996.
Los Angeles County Bar Association
Member, Board of Trustees.
Member, Legislation Committee.
Editor, Litigation Section Newsletter.
Member, Labor and Employment Law Section, Executive Committee.
Member, Litigation Section, Executive Committee.
State Bar of California, Standing Committee on Minimum Continuing Legal Education
Appointed to the initial MCLE Commission that formulated and launched the California State Bar's first mandatory MCLE Program. Served a three-year term, including one year as Vice Chair.
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REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
SKILLS
Microsoft ExCel - Advanced
Microsoft Word - Advanced
Power Point - Proficient
Adobe CS 2017 - Proficient
Camtasia - Advanced
Spanish - Fluent