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F. Richard Ricketts
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F. Richard Ricketts
Law Offices of F. Richard Ricketts, PLLC
703 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (888) 253-1002 | Fax: (253) 237-1730
http://richardricketts.com
Quality Representation at Reasonable Rates
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I accept a full range of family law cases.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Enforcement Actions
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Custody
- Foster Care
- Paternity
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Common Law Marriage
- Domestic Partnerships
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Age Discrimination
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Powers of Attorney
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Proxy
- Tax Planning
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I accept a full range of family law cases.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
- Child Support
- Custody/Visitation Rights
- Delinquent Support Payments
- Division of Property
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Uncontested Divorce
- Collaborative Law
Bar Admissions
WA, Jun 2003
Bar Number: 33641
Other Court Admissions
Washington, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Association Memberships
Washington State Bar Association, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and Institute of Management Accountants.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education (CLE) classes on business, tax, trusts and family law areas, as well as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). I also gain CLE credits through my volunteer work for Volunteer Legal Services.
Example Cases
It is really difficult for me to point to one case that I feel exemplifies my practice, because every client is important to me. To me, the most rewarding cases are often the simple ones where I take a pro bono case for someone who really needs the assistance and achieve the desired result. The appreciation shown by the client makes the case rewarding.
Education
Degree:
Bachelors in Business Administration
School:
Seattle University
City:
Seattle
State:
WA
Year:
1995
Honors:
National Finance Honor Society.
Degree:
Masters
School:
Keller Graduate School of Management
City:
Federal Way
State:
WA
Year:
2009
Focus and Accomplishments:
Accounting and Financial Management.
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
Seattle University School of Law
City:
Tacoma
State:
WA
Year:
1998
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Washington
Firm Focus and History
I focus my efforts in three areas: business, family law and estate planning.
I believe the best approach towards my family law practice is to work towards collaborative solutions rather than encourage contentious debate which only truly benefits the attorneys on the case. I encourage my clients to work towards resolutions and decisions for which they take ownership rather than relying upon the courts to decide for them. When the parties are unable to come to an amicable resolution, the courts are always the final option, but I encourage my clients to use alternative dispute resolution centers whenever possible.
I opened my office in 2003 and since then have been providing quality service to my clients, both paid and pro bono.
Previous Employment Summary
I owned and operated my own small business to put myself through college. Once I completed law school, I joined a large Canadian corporation and rapidly rose through the levels, ultimately reporting to the CFO in Toronto.
Activities and Awards
I have been named Pro Bono Attorney of the Month and dedicate a considerable amount of time towards staffing legal aid clinics in Pierce County.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
My role is partially to guide a client through the legal system and to give them the information they need to make sound informed decisions, so educating my clients is a priority. I have written numerous legal guides which are available on my website and on other websites to assist in providing the information to potential clients.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I will review documents prepared by clients, but often that takes longer than simply doing the document myself. I have a proven forms library that I draw from which I trust and know which changes are necessary.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I do offer coaching to clients who are trying to save money by representing themselves. I feel the legal system is incredibly complex and frustrating to people who are not in it every day. Providing a resource where people can purchase an hour of my time and I am really available to answer any questions they may have has proven invaluable to many clients.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Being the first person in my family to go to college, I placed great importance on a graduate degree. In evaluating whether to pursue a traditional MBA or something else, I chose to go to law school, because I felt the legal degree sharpened my critical reasoning and communications skills far more than a MBA course would have at the time. My original intent was to use the legal degree in business rather than practice law, but I am really happy when I can help a small business become successful.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I am convinced that the fact that I was the first person in my family to go to college allows me to identify with far more people than if I had been sheltered and privileged. This understanding influences my practice and allows me to be a much better attorney than I otherwise would have been had everything been given to me.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I discovered almost as soon as I started practicing law that there were attorneys who viewed it as good business to encourage disagreements between their clients and the opposing party. I feel this is distasteful as many clients are in emotionally charged situations and need the attorney to provide objective counsel rather than exploiting the drama the client is caught up in related to the case. I practice in family law because I see there is tremendous demand for good counsel that is focused on resolution rather than continued fighting.
What do you like best about your career?
I have come to the realization that I am better suited for practicing law and working for my many clients than anything else. I like it when I am able to positively influence a client's life.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner so my clients work directly with me. I answer the phone and am available for my clients after traditional hours.
What are your strengths and style?
I think strategically and act tactically. I am confident and able to quickly assess a situation to identify what needs to be done and quickly prepare a work plan to achieve the desired goals and objectives of the representation.
Personal Interests:
I have spent a lot of time outside of the U.S., living abroad for nearly 10 years of my adult life. This has given me a worldly view and an ability to relate to people from all different cultures and lifestyles. I enjoy traveling and experiencing foreign cultures.
Fax
(253) 237-1730
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Other hours available upon request.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Korean.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I am offering a 10% discount to all new clients who mention seeing my profile on Nolo, but I also offer other discounts from time to time, just as any other business does. I also have a full slate of flat rate services where I am able to effectively deliver services at a fixed price. This places the onus on me to be efficient, and avoids the typical incentive to be inefficient that is inherent with the hourly rate.
Hourly Rates
$225.
Free Initial Consultation?
I do offer a free consultation of 30 minutes for potential new clients.
Typical Retainer
$2,250 (ten hours of my time).
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.
