Richard J. Ritchie

Richard J. Ritchie

Partner

Over 29 years of experience in litigation, transactional and other representation of businesses and automobile dealers, including 5 ½ years as General Counsel of Premier Automotive, an Automotive News Top 50 Dealer with over 20 franchised dealerships and over 1,200 employees.  In additional to trial experience below, participated in dozens of binding and non-binding arbitrations, over 200 mediations and representation of clients before California New Motor Vehicle Board and Louisiana Motor Vehicle Board.  Additional experience representing clients in Sales Incentive Audit and Warranty Audit disputes with manufacturers.

Practice Areas
Automobile Dealership Business Law, Transactions, Litigation and General Counsel Guidance; Premises Liability; Products Liability; General Liability; Business Transaction Litigation.

Industries
Automobile Dealerships,  Restaurants & Hospitality


J.D., University of San Diego 1991

B.A. University of California at Irvine, 1988.

California State Bar, 1991; United States District Court, 1991, Specially Admitted to Louisiana State Bar as In House General Counsel, 2016-2021.

Favorable binding arbitration award in Cornes Motors v. Miramar Pontiac, dispute over buy sell agreement of auto dealership, resulting in specific performance of contract, and additional $352,000.00 in damages and $334,000.00 in attorney’s fees and costs;

Grant of Motion for Summary Judgment in Bonilla v. Kearny Mesa Dodge in favor of Defendant, in case involving modified vehicle and severe brain injury claim;

Defense verdict in Gonzalez v. Providence, wrongful eviction/malicious prosecution case claiming punitive damages;

Two six figure settlement cases on behalf of dealer clients in disputes with manufacturers since 2010..

Has authored multiple newsletters for the automobile dealer industry, not published and featured article in Automotive News Magazine; Panelist, 2012 New Motor Vehicle Board Industry Roundtable

San Diego County Bar Association, San Diego New Car Dealers Association, California New Car Dealers Association, National Association of Dealer Counsel