Jacob Rivas | Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer

• Member | Fresno County Bar Association
• Member | Litigation Section of State Bar of California
• Member | Fresno County La Raza Lawyer's Association
• Member | Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC)
• Member | Central Valley Trial Lawyer's Association

• Super Lawyer Super Lawyers
  2020
• Rising Star Super Lawyers
  2010 - 2014

Client was injured at a job site when the lid to a dumpster bin he was opening dislodged from the bin and fell on top of the client. He suffered injuries to his lower back requiring multiple surgeries. We filed suit against the owner of the bins, as well as the manufacturer of the lids and the bin. Initially, Defendants denied liability, but with extensive discovery, including depositions and expert retentions, we were able to posture the case into a position where it settled for $2,250,000.00 at mediation less than 30 days before trial. The workers' compensation carrier continues to pay for the client's ongoing medical care.

Building any successful business requires three things. First, it starts with hard work. This is the foundation for any successful business. Second, you must be creative and imaginative in the work that you're doing. In other words, challenge conventional practice and always look for ways to do things better. And third, do not be afraid to take risks. Sometimes you win big, and sometimes you lose big, but never be afraid to bet on yourself. As the old saying goes, "fortune favors the bold." This is the approach I have adopted throughout my years in practice and it has worked.

Clients should look for honesty, hard work, and true expertise/skill. The skills possessed by a true civil litigation trial lawyer are unique and uncommon, and if a client happens to hire such an attorney, it can make a world of difference.

Local knowledge is important because like anything else, the more familiar you are with something, such as other attorneys, experts, and judges, the more comfortable you are dealing with it. You notice habits and tendencies, and this insight is helpful in preparing and presenting your case, ultimately resulting in a more successful presentation of evidence and a better result.

In a word, "anything." We talk about procedural issues, such as jurisdiction and statutes of limitations. In addition, we discuss the facts and law applicable to the case, potential case value, property damage (if it is a motor vehicle case), insurance coverage, injuries, medical care, and attorney fees, as well as any additional questions the client may have.

The most important information is the facts and the identity of all witnesses so that you can determine the law applicable to the case, and then use those witnesses to develop facts which will prove the case. If it is a motor vehicle accident, then we also need insurance information and nature/extent of property damage to the respective vehicles.

Litigation skills, including trial practice, and tenacity. Most civil litigation attorneys look for an ""out"" at some point in the case for two reasons: (1) they do not want to risk spending money on a case in which they may lose, and thus, never recover their costs. In other words, they are afraid of risk; and (2) they are not trial lawyers and are afraid of losing at trial. I am an experienced trial lawyer that is not afraid to go to trial.

Simply put, helping clients navigate a problematic time in their lives. It takes a lot of time, effort, and expense litigating complex civil matters, and in order to make this sacrifice, you must be motivated by something more than a contingency fee. That motivation is ""helping clients.""

Traveling to new places and learning about other cultures. I also enjoy attending sporting events and watersports.

I have volunteered coaching local high school students in the Mock Trial program which teaches students the nuances and mechanics of jury trial practice. I have also served as a judge in the Mock Trial, as well. In addition, I have acted as an advisor to local high schools through the Fresno County Office of Education working with students on public policy projects