Case Manager: Katy Jones
Mr. Collier has been in practice for more than 40 years as a trial lawyer and over 25 years as a mediator and arbitrator. Since first training as a mediator in 1993, he has mediated or arbitrated to completion over 400 disputes across a wide range of civil law, ranging in complexity from smaller value disputes to large, multi-million dollar settlements. Mr. Collier prides himself upon thorough preparation – of the participants as well as of himself. He has proven to be particularly effective in disputes encumbered by high emotions. His respect for the emotional dynamics between the parties, as well as his thorough understanding of the facts and law, allow him to build credibility with the parties and their counsel while crafting settlement scenarios to ensure resolution.
As a trial lawyer, Mr. Collier’s practice has focused on trust and probate litigation for the past 15 years. He has represented beneficiaries and trustees, both individual and institutional, in removal and surcharge proceedings, cases involving interpretation and modification of trusts, and will and trust contests. Mr. Collier was recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer in Probate and Trust Litigation for nine consecutive years.
In addition to his probate expertise, Mr. Collier has handled numerous business and commercial disputes on behalf of individual and corporate clients, as plaintiffs and defendants, including actions related to partnership dissolutions, unfair competition, distributor termination, shareholder disputes, trade secrets and trademarks, insurance coverage, and bad faith disputes.
Probate, Estates and Trusts
Business and Commercial Disputes
Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith
Cooper, White & Cooper, LLP (2008-2019)
Titchell, Maltzman, Mark & Ohleyer, P.C. (1993-2008)
Farella, Braun & Martel (1979-1993)
University of California, Berkeley (1969-1976)
J.D., University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, 1979
Ph.D. in English, Washington University, St. Louis, 1969
M.A. First Class Honours, Edinburgh University, Scotland, 1965
American Arbitration Association
United States District Court, Northern District of California
Past President of the Mediation Society
Guest Lecturer and Trainer in mediation and negotiation courses at Stanford Law School; Santa Clara Law School; University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law; California Court of Appeal, First and Second Appellate Districts
Early Neutral Evaluation Trainer for Fresno, Los Angeles, and Stanislaus County Superior Courts
Northern California Super Lawyer in Probate/Trust Litigation
“Richard did a good job on with difficult parties”
“I really appreciated Richard’s efforts to listen to my clients and their concerns – even if their concerns weren’t necessarily on legal points but were still valid concerns – and he acknowledged those while working to resolve the case. I just thought he was very effective in understanding the parties’ positions and using that understanding to facilitate bringing the parties together.”
“It was very helpful that Richard was up to speed almost immediately; he clearly had a vast knowledge of the subject area, and he was just a very good listener. Richard really made both sides feel he was receptive to their positions and understood their positions. And I thought that played a big part in his ability to facilitate the settlement.”
“I think Richard is just a very effective mediator just as he was a very effective trial lawyer. He brings a tremendous amount of experience to that role of being a mediator, and that combined with his personality and demeanor are just a good combination.”
