For more than forty years, J. Patrick Fleming, Jr. (“Rick”) has specialized in civil litigation and trial practice in the state and federal courts of California, particularly in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Orange County.  During his many years of practice, he has advised and represented clients in a wide range of legal disputes, including real estate and contract litigation, cases involving allegations of business fraud, defamation, and interference with contract, construction defects litigation, commercial and individual unlawful detainer actions, mechanics’ lien litigation, unfair competition cases, landlord tenant disputes involving office buildings, shopping centers and malls, defending wrongful sexual harassment litigation, and bankruptcy matters on behalf of creditors.  Mr. Fleming also has significant experience pursuing and defending personal injury claims.

 

Mr. Fleming has an AV preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, an honor held by approximately 10 % of practicing attorneys.  This means that a large number of his legal peers have ranked him at the highest level of professional excellence for legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards.  Mr. Fleming graduated cum laude from the University of California San Diego in 1974.  He graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1977, ranking near the top 5% of his class. In addition, he was an editor of Georgetown’s Law & Policy in International Business law journal. 

 

After graduation, Mr. Fleming began his litigation practice at Musick, Peeler & Garrett in Los Angeles. He later joined Wyman, Bautzer, Rothman, & Kuchel in Century City.  In 1981, Mr. Fleming began his own practice, specializing in business and tort litigation.  Mr. Fleming attended the Pacific Regional Session of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and participated in the Trial Attorney Project taught by the Los Angeles City Attorney and District Attorney’s offices.  Mr. Fleming’s solo practice lasted until 1995, when he joined what is now Case Knowlson LLP, where he eventually became Chairman of the Litigation Department.  Mr. Fleming and the firm amicably parted ways in late 2020, and he is continuing his litigation practice as Fleming Law Firm.

 

Mr. Fleming believes that clients should be represented aggressively, but also with efficiency and in a cost-sensitive manner.  He has successfully tried many cases, and has represented clients in numerous arbitrations and mediations.  Mr. Fleming is a firm believer in thorough preparation and analysis of the facts and law pertaining to each case.  He has always devoted himself completely to getting the best results for his clients.

 

Mr. Fleming is a longstanding member of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.  Mr. Fleming is a long-time hiker and traveler, having spent considerable time in Hong Kong and the Far East.