Richard L. Francis

Richard L. Francis, principal attorney for the firm, graduated from the University of California Hastings College of Law, in May, 1976, having written for the Law Review, and admitted to the California Bar later that year.　 After two years clerking for the Court of Appeals in Oregon, taking and passing the Bar Exam there, Mr. Francis relocated to Ventura County establishing his own firm in 1979.　 Through several associations, Richard has always maintained management of his own firm, and has engaged in wide ranging civil litigation, including as a representative sample, brain injury personal injuries, multi-million dollar probate and trust litigation matters, real estate litigation involving thousands of acres, environmental litigation representing citizen groups, and contract matters involving among other clients, defense department contractors. The firm achieved a landmark settlement of a Worker’s Compensation matter involving a quadriplegic client, reputed to be the largest WC recovery in the State of California. The firm, through its bankruptcy department, has saved clients many hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt formerly dragging down the equity in their homes. Always active in the Community, Mr. Francis was president of the Coalition Against Household Violence, and was a charter member, establishing the non-profit corporate status for 　Friends of Channel Islands National Park.　He has served on the Ventura City Council, and as Mayor of Ventura for 2 years.　 Richard was instrumental in designing and helping pass — through the initiative process — the nationally recognized Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) measure which regulates development in the Cities and County in a manner that discourages urban sprawl and encourages the number one industry in the county – Agriculture, providing employment to thousands of employees.　 Mr. Francis currently serves on the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, a land trust designed to preserve the hillsides behind Ventura, and actively supports SOAR, the Rubicon Theatre, and Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, dedicated to providing affordable housing for the elderly and workers in Ventura County.　The Francis firm owns and practices out of one of the relocated farm houses – the Gordon House – in Heritage Square in the heart of Oxnard.　 Richard is married to Nancy Francis, a City of Ventura Planning Commissioner, and has twins in college.

Litigation Percentage:
90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:
California, 1976

Education:
University of California Law School