David Richard

David Allen Richard is a veteran trial lawyer who protects the rights of individuals who have sustained catastrophic injuries. For 39 years, he has fought against large corporate entities and insurance companies, securing more than $100 million in total compensation for injury victims throughout Southern California.

If you are looking for an attorney who handles serious motor vehicle collisions and premises liability claims in Ventura County, David offers the deep local court experience and aggressive advocacy required to win complex cases.

Primary Practice Focus

David limits his legal practice exclusively to representing individuals who have suffered severe, life-altering injuries. His primary areas of dedication include:

• Serious Motor Vehicle Accidents: Representing people seriously injured in motorcycle, car, bicycle, and truck accidents caused by negligent drivers.
• Premises Liability: Assisting people seriously injured in falls as a result of dangerous property conditions, improper maintenance, or structural hazards.

The Inside Perspective: Why David Switches the Odds in Your Favor

David began his legal career in 1987 on the opposite side of the courtroom. For his first five years in practice, he worked as a defense attorney representing Farmers Insurance, protecting individuals and corporations who caused accidents and injuries.

This corporate defense background gives David a profound strategic advantage today. He knows exactly how insurance companies evaluate claims, how adjusters build defense arguments, and where their weaknesses lie.

In 1993, driven by a desire to help real people rather than multi-billion dollar corporations, David shifted his focus permanently to consumer advocacy. He has spent the last three decades using the insurance industry's own playbook to secure maximum recoveries for his clients.

Notable Financial Recoveries

Throughout his career, David has routinely taken cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation. Some of his most significant case results include:

• $2,500,000 Recovery: Secured for a client who sustained severe injuries in a high-impact rear end auto accident.
• $1,700,000 Recovery: Obtained in a complex truck vs. automobile collision involving commercial vehicle liability.
• $1,600,000 Recovery: Won on behalf of an injured individual in an automobile vs. pedestrian accident.

Professional Experience & History

• Richard | Bartlett Lawyers | Partner & Principal | 2015 to Present
• Law Offices of David A. Richard | Principal & Owner | 1993 to 2015
• Halde, O'Connor & Richard | Partner | 1987 to 1993

Bar Admissions & Credentials

• State Bar of California, 1987
• United States District Court, Southern District of California, 1989
• United States District Court, Central District of California, 1990

Education

• Pepperdine University School of Law Juris Doctor (J.D.), 1986
• University of California, Berkeley Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), 1982 (Completed Double Majors)

Professional Memberships & Elite Credentials

David is a recognized member of several invitation-only legal organizations that honor top-tier trial performance:

• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum® (Membership limited to attorneys who have achieved multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements)
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum®
• American Academy of Trial Attorneys (Recognized as a Premier 100 Trial Attorney)
• Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA)
• Ventura County Bar Association
• Santa Barbara County Bar Association
• The William L. Gordon American Inn of Court (Past Member)
• The Jerome H. Berenson American Inn of Court (Past Member)

Community Roots

Outside of the courtroom, David is deeply tied to the local coastal community. He is the Past President of the Faria Beach Homeowners Association. When he is not reviewing case evidence or litigating in court, he enjoys surfing, swimming, bicycling, traveling, and spending quality time with his wife, Shannon, and their two children.

Direct Legal Support When You Need It Most

David and the team at Richard | Bartlett Lawyers operate on a clear framework: they work exceptionally hard and always place the client's interests first. The ultimate objective is for every client to cross the finish line knowing they received outstanding legal representation and personalized attention.

To review what past injury victims have said about working with David, please visit our customer testimonials page. 

The firm offers completely free initial consultations and remains available for emergency legal services when catastrophic wrecks occur. If you or a loved one needs immediate help, contact our office today to speak directly with an experienced advocate.