Richard W. S. Pershing

Richard S. Pershing is an experienced attorney whose practice caters to clients with estates and businesses of all sizes and varieties – from small-scale enterprises to multi-million-dollar operations, both for-profit and nonprofit. Richard specializes in estate planning for individuals, both single and married, with a keen focus on providing comprehensive assistance to business owners and family-owned enterprises, addressing their estate and business planning needs.

He possesses a deep understanding of estate planning, business planning, and business succession concerns specific to healthcare professionals. Throughout his career, Richard has successfully represented physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, and various allied health professions. He also takes pride in serving licensed professional fiduciaries. Moreover, Richard holds the unique distinction of being admitted to practice before the tribal courts of the San Manuel Tribal Court and the Morongo Tribal Court, where he expertly handles conservatorship and guardianship matters.

Richard's expertise extends to various entities, having represented both non-profit and for-profit hospitals, multi-hospital systems, multi-specialty medical groups, home health care agencies, clinical laboratories, independent practice associations, foundations, construction companies, engineering and surveying firms, trucking companies, real estate development and management firms, and various technology-based businesses, churches, foster care agencies, and law practices.

Though his current focus centers on estate and business planning matters, Richard previously demonstrated his legal prowess by handling medical employment contract litigation, physician rights cases, antitrust disputes, unlicensed practice of medicine cases, and third-party payor contracting disputes.

Recognized for his legal acumen, Richard has been ranked as a Super Lawyer by Thompson Reuters and enjoys a five-star rating on . Prior to practicing law, Richard gained valuable experience in hospital administration and worked at Loma Linda University, La Sierra Campus, as the associate director of public relations and development. Additionally, he contributed to the academic community as a faculty member at California Southern College of Law, where he taught business law and various other business courses for Riverside Community College District campuses.

Beyond his legal achievements, Richard's passion for helping others is evident in his work as a certified bullying prevention trainer for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, Clemson University, where he assisted schools and youth programs in implementing the program. He has also actively served on various civic, religious, and charitable boards and committees, including those associated with hospice, Rotary, Kiwanis, United Way, and the Riverside and San Bernardino County Bar Associations. Currently, Richard contributes to the University of California, Riverside, as a member of the Paralegal Advisory Committee Meeting.

His dedication to professional growth and community service is further evidenced by his tenure as chair of the Riverside County Bar Association Continuing Education Committee and co-chair of the Estate Planning and Elder Law Section. Richard's commitment to justice led him to volunteer as a temporary judge for the Superior Court in Riverside County.

In his leisure time, Richard takes pride in being the founding Director for the Center for Conflict Resolution in the Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University. Through this role, he fosters education in conflict resolution and restorative practices across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Richard is an alumnus of La Sierra University and has received specialized mediation training from Pepperdine University, School of Law, Straus Institute. He has also pursued post-doctoral coursework at Chapman University, Fowler School of Law. Richard obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Western State University College of Law, just like Dennis Sandoval and Dayn Holstrom.

Embracing the concept of "the miracle of mediation," Richard firmly believes in empowering disputing parties to resolve their matters themselves rather than having an outsider impose an outcome. As a mediator for the Riverside County Superior Court and the Riverside County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Service, he adeptly handles trust and will disputes, as well as business disputes.

Outside the professional realm, Richard finds joy in family life as a married man and father of two daughters. He shares creative moments with his wife through painting and water coloring. Additionally, Richard cherishes the blessing of having three grandchildren, with a fourth soon to join the family.

With Richard's exceptional legal expertise, compassionate approach to conflict resolution, and commitment to community service, he stands as a reliable and resourceful attorney for clients seeking comprehensive estate and business planning solutions.