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J. Brian Watkins
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J. Brian Watkins
Law Office of J. Brian Watkins
150 East Meda Avenue
Suite 220
Glendora, CA 91741
Phone: (626) 335-4755 | Fax: (626) 208-1009
Experienced Litigator and Problem Solver
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
I am happy to work with anyone who would like to have the help of an honest and dedicated attorney. I prefer to work on situations involving abuse of the elderly because the results obtained often benefit far more people than just my clients.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Car/Auto Accidents
- Dangerous Property
- Wrongful Death
- Personal Injury - Defense
- Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Construction Site Injuries
- Slip & Fall
- Defamation
- Invasion of Privacy
- Libel
- Slander
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- False Charities
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Identity Theft
- Assault & Battery
- Child abuse
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Domestic Violence
- Police Misconduct
- Sexual Assault
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
I am happy to work with anyone who would like an honest appraisal of what options are available to them whether by way of court process or otherwise. I prefer to work with contractors and tradesmen and am particularly experienced in mechanics' lien foreclosure issues.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Buying & Selling
- Condemnation
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Eminent Domain
- Homeowners' Associations
- Insurance
- Land Contracts
- Mechanics' Liens
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Litigation
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Buying & Selling
- Condemnation
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Eminent Domain
- Homeowners' Associations
- Insurance
- Land Contracts
- Mechanics' Liens
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Litigation
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1993
Bar Number: 166048
Other Court Admissions
State Bar of California; United States District Court, Central District of California; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; United States District Court, Southern District of California; Supreme Court of the United States.
Association Memberships
State Bar of California; Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I take every opportunity to broaden my experience and have concentrated in recent years on developing skills in collecting judgments. It does no good to win a case but then be unable to utilize all available remedies to collect the judgment.
Papers and Publications
I concentrate my writing and research time on client matters rather than personal interests but I do enjoy reviewing books on Amazon.com.
Example Cases
I have a published opinion in the area of governmental tort claims: Han v. City of Pomona (1995) 37 Cal.App.4th 552. Injury claims against public agencies are subject to very strict rules of which I am very familiar.
I also saved an elderly woman's home that had been taken in a fraud scam--the deed had already been recorded when I took over the case but we went to the bankruptcy court and litigated the fraud action successfully, recovering not only the house but a six-figure judgment. That was an example of where broad experience is necessary because it required experience in unlawful detainer (eviction), construction and real estate, fraud and tort law, and bankruptcy practice and procedure.
Education
Degree:
B.S.
School:
Brigham Young University
City:
Provo
State:
UT
Year:
1993
Honors:
Completed the University Honors program (the only School of Business graduate in 1993 to do so)
Focus and Accomplishments:
Accounting
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
J. Reuben Clark School of Law, Brigham Young University
City:
Provo
State:
UT
Year:
1993
Honors:
Member, Board of Advocates (BYU's Traveling Moot Court Team)
Focus and Accomplishments:
Law
Degree:
Master's in Accounting
School:
J. Reuben Clark School of Law, Brigham Young University
City:
Provo
State:
UT
Year:
1993
Honors:
Dean's List
Focus and Accomplishments:
Service as the Student Advocate to the Dean's Office
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I started my solo practice in August of 2006 and focus on cost-effective representation of individuals and small-business.
Previous Employment Summary
I practiced for ten years with my father and then joined a preeminent construction law firm in Pasadena, California where I spent over two years in a practice specializing in real estate and construction issues. I have now returned to a general practice because I have found it much more rewarding to work with individuals. I share offices with an estate planning attorney and handle all general litigation matters.
Activities and Awards
I have served as a Judge Pro Tem of the Los Angeles County Superior Court since April, 2006.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I am amazed that folks who wouldn't dream of going more than 3,000 miles in their car without changing the oil will sell a home or settle an accident claim without talking to a lawyer. I am happy to answer questions for anyone who is trying to educate themselves, whether or not they intend to retain me as counsel.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Again, when I see someone trying to be careful and save money, I am happy to give anything a look to make sure that they are not making any serious mistakes. The degree of involvement is, of course, dependent upon the client.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Ethical guidelines require me to advise clients that self-representation may not be in their best interests; however, many such situations arise and I have prepared persons to argue before small claims courts or traffic courts. I serve as a judge pro tem on small claims, traffic and eviction cases and have heard hundreds of matters where the individuals involved would have profited from just a bit of coaching beforehand. Indeed, I often recommend the NOLO books on Collecting Judgments, Probating Estates, Traffic Court and Chapter 7 bankruptcy to persons who for their own reasons just want to do it themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Well, my father was a lawyer and I was the oldest son. And, frankly, I thought that it would be more interesting than accounting.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Because I worked for years with my father I was able to get into the courtroom quickly. I did my first solo jury trial within my first five years of practice and had already done several trials by that point. In today's environment, many lawyers who are at the partner level of their firms have never tried a case--the stakes are too high. I also had the benefit of working directly with a lawyer of over 25 years experience. We took all kinds of cases and appeals and as I have already indicated, my experience in all these areas enables me to select and pursue the best options for clients.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I left a firm that specialized in construction law because I missed the wide range of problems I encounter in a general practice. This is also why I volunteer so much time as a Judge Pro Tem because I enjoy the wide range of issues I deal with.
What do you like best about your career?
Solving problems and resolving disputes is the most satisfying work that I do.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have a broad network of friends and acquaintances that provide invaluable assistance as necessary, but on a daily basis I have a wonderful office assistant, Carol, who takes my calls and schedules my time.
What are your strengths and style?
I believe that my unusually broad experience and expertise in a wide variety of legal situations allows me to defuse tense situations. I am often able to find a settlement option that is acceptable to everyone involved. I also have personal experience as a father of eight children, a judge and a litigant that helps me to understand the client's position and concerns.
I believe that the most effective negotiation style is to meet a positive action with a positive response and to meet a negative with a harsh response. I do not threaten actions that I am not willing and prepared to take.
Personal Interests:
I am the father of eight children all of whom are still living at home. When I have any other spare time I enjoy reading and writing Amazon.com reviews. As a family we enjoy traveling and have driven as far as Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Yellowknife, Inuvik, Prudhoe Bay and everywhere there is a road in Alaska.
Office Manager/Assistant
Carol
Fax
(626) 208-1009
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
On matters involving serious injury I am willing to take cases on a contingency at the following rates: 33% of the recovery up to 30 days before trial, 40% if trial (or trial preparation) is necessary and in certain circumstances if a quick settlement can be obtained or the amounts in question are relatively low I will reduce the fee to 25%.
On all other matters, including appeals, my base rate is $250 per hour; however, I am willing to make accommodations for clients depending upon the facts, and often work on a combined fee/contingency basis.
Hourly Rates
$250
Free Initial Consultation?
I do offer a free consultation and will review available options with anyone who believes they need advice.
Typical Retainer
$2,500 on a case that will be handled hourly.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
