Bernard Richard Deetman, Esq.

3525 Del Mar Heights Road, No. 420
San Diego CA 92130

Tel: (858) 792-8289
Fax: (858) 792-6535
Cellular: (858) 774-5997

E Mail: brdeetman@deetmanlaw.com

Summary of Qualifications
Mr. Deetman has handled thousands of tort claims and actions throughout Southern California for plaintiffs, defendants, and as subrogation counsel. These cases have ranged in size from small to large, and have involved just about all mechanisms of injury and types of harm. This has involved varied discovery and motion work. Also, while recognizing and engaging in settlement negotiation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution as a potentially cost effective way of case disposition, Mr. Deetman has arbitrated or taken to jury trial a substantial number of tort cases in state and federal courts, involving bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, auto accidents, uninsured motorist matters, dog bites, slip/trip and falls, assault and battery, police brutality and false arrest, dangerous conditions of public property, product liability, property damage, fraud, and medical malpractice. In addition to San Diego County, Mr. Deetman has litigated cases in and is familiar with the local rules of all counties in the Southern California region, and maintains an office in Arcadia, California for cases involving the northern part of the Southern California region. Although he currently does not personally accept workers compensation matters, Mr. Deetman is acquainted with the workers compensation system, and especially how it impacts the tort case. Mr. Deetman also has handled numerous writs and appeals in tort cases, some of which have been published in the state and federal reporters.

Rick has authored numerous articles on personal injury law for newspapers and for peer journals, and has been interviewed many times on the radio about personal injury topics.

Mr. Deetman forms and counsels non-profit organizations on a pro-bono basis and has served on the board of directors of several non-profit groups.

Bar Memberships
Admitted to practice in California Courts and Southern District - December 1985; admitted to practice before Ninth Circuit - November 1986; admitted to practice in Central District - March 1993.

Education

University of San Diego School of Law
San Diego, California
Juris Doctor degree - May 1985

University of California, at San Diego
La Jolla, California
Bachelor of Arts degree - June 1980 - Major: Economics, Minor: Political Science

Professional experience
Attorney:

Law Offices Deetman & Associates
San Diego, California and Arcadia, California
(1997 to present)

Law Offices of Richard Deetman & Associates
San Diego, California and Arcadia, California
(April 1992 to 1997)

Neil, Dymott, Perkins Brown & Frank (formerly Hollywood & Neil)
San Diego, California
(December 1985 to April 1992)

Intern:

Honorable Norbert Ehrenfruend
San Diego Superior Court
(August 1985 to December 1985)

Law Clerk:

Rhoades, Hollywood & Neil
San Diego, California
(January 1985 to December 1985)

Thorsnes, Bartolotta, McGuire & Padilla
San Diego, California
(September 1984 to January 1985)

Lightner & Castro
San Diego, California
(January 1984 to September 1984)

Vincent E. Sullivan, Esq.
San Diego, California
(December 1982 to December 1983)

Stephen J. Dimeff, Esq.
San Diego, California
(August 1982 to December 1982)

Additional professional activities

American Inn of Court - Hon. Louis J. Welsh Branch
San Diego Inn of Court - College of Trial Advocacy