Greetings, I am Richard Hobin. It is my pleasure to present this biographical sketch for your perusal. Webster’s New World Compact School and Office Dictionary defined “perusal” as either “to read carefully; study” or “to read in a leisurely way”. I highly recommend the latter.
My Background & Education: I was born on April 12, 1949 in Coosbay, Oregon. My parents moved to the San Joaquin Valley when I was 6 years old. I grew-up in the Valley; participated in student government and sports. I am an Eagle Scout. I attended Oregon State University from 1967-1971. I was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. I graduated with high scholarship and completed the University Honors Program. During my sophomore year, I studied in London and Paris. I then spent the summer traveling by train throughout Europe. James A. Michener wrote a book titled “The Drifters” that caught the spirit of the young Americans traveling throughout Europe during the late 1960′s. It was an incredible time spent with amazing people.
While back at Oregon State University, I participated in Naval Reserve Officer Training. I received my commission and I served in the Vietnam War. If Europe was the best of times, Vietnam was the worst of times. I was proud to serve my country, but I was not proud of my country’s leaders. However, I feel strongly, that if you criticize, you have an obligation to participate in the governmental process.
I then attended law school at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law from 1974-1977. I was licensed to practice law in California on December 21, 1977.
My Family: Debbie and I met at Oregon State University. Debbie was enrolled in education and minored in music. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She completed her California Teaching Credential at University of California- Berkeley.
We have been married for 32 years. We have a son, Taylor. Taylor grew-up playing golf. He attended Holy Rosary Elementary School, De La Salle High School and he currently attends the University of San Francisco on a golf scholarship. I have spent wonderful years being his caddy. I am really proud of this young man and his friends.
Debbie is the center of our family. She has just returned from taking courses at Harvard. She started The Antioch Charter Academy -The Learner Centered School (ACA). This was her concept developed in our home and chartered by the Antioch Unified School District. In December of 2006, the ACA moved into its new $4,500,000.00 facility located in Mira Vista Park, Antioch, California. ACA educates 200 students from K-8th grade. Their test score of 829 is the highest in East Contra Costa County. There are over 400 students on the waiting list. A replication school (ADA II) has received start-up funding of $405,000.00. They have petitioned the Antioch Unified School District for a second charter; however, there is a “new superintendent” in town and the good fight is on.
Community Activities: I have served as president in both the local Kiwanis International and Rotary Clubs. I have coached youth baseball, basket and golf teams. I was the District Chair- person for Boy Scouts. I served as president/member of the Holy Rosary School Board; Delta Memorial Hospital Foundation; Annual De La Salle Golf Committee; and president of United Lutheran Ministries and St. Andrews Lutheran Church. Further, I have participated in numerous other civic activities/programs.
Law Career: I have had a wonderful legal experience. Some professionals view their work as a job and good way to make a living. I have never shared that belief. My work is a passion; I feel privileged to help people in crisis.
I have performed a wide range of legal services in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, civil litigation, criminal, family, real estate, business, wills/probate, and corporate matters. These services have ranged from a felony vehicular manslaughter trial; wrongful death and personal injury settlements/verdicts; multi-million dollar business transactions; real estate and construction defect litigation; lease termination and equipment auction of a computer cyber- space station; etc.
For the last 9 years, I have worked with my former partners in the area of asbestos litigation. We have handled approximately 100 cases involving victims of mesothelioma (i.e. cancer from asbestos exposure) and asbestosis (i.e. a impaired breathing).
I am a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, Consumer Attorneys of California, Alameda/Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, and the Contra Costa Bar Association.
Greetings. It is time to update my biographical information (May 26, 2011). My history remains unchanged (law humor) but alot has changed since my last writing.
I have now practiced law for 34 years and I have learned a lot. I started as a solo practitioner and then morphed into a partnership with 23 lawyer/staff. Over this time, I have handled both criminal and civil cases. The civil cases dealt with real estate, trusts/wills, probate, trust litigation, personal injury/asbestos mass torts, business disputes/formation, construction defects, contract disputes and property management.
Foreclosure Practice: In the early 1980′s, I worked with another attorney and opened a foreclosure company named California Trustee Services, Inc. We opened the company to process foreclosures when real estate loans were 15%. I learned the business and conducted seminars. I continue to represent investors and private owners dealing with foreclosures.
Since 2006, I have been counseling homeowners and real estate brokers/agents dealing with foreclosures and short sales. I have never seen anything like this financial mess. However, there are many opportunities in this marketplace. My personal opinion is that foreclosures will be with us for a long time. There are so many people that purchased homes in East Contra Costa County when prices were high and money was pouring out of lenders. To date, the government has done very little to help homeowners. The government needs to force lenders to reduce the principle loan balances owed for families with children and senior citizens. We bailed out Wall Street; it is time to bail out main street.
Commercial foreclosures are starting-up. These foreclosures are difficult to defend and usually result in substantial losses to the client. Lenders are trying to get “death certificates” on businesses to show their superiors and government regulators that they have done a good job forcing people out of business.
Return to Solo Practice: I returned to solo practice in 2007 and I have not looked back. I operate with two great paralegals and a wonderful office staff. We are responsive, effective, and efficient. What I like about solo practice is handling the client from the beginning to the end of the matter/case. By the time of resolve (settlement of trial), I am thoroughly familiar with the facts and the law. I enjoy helping people get on with their lives.
Government Litigation: I have recently been involved with governmental claims attempting to terminate professional licenses and to impose fines for violation of alleged industrial regulations. It is true that certain governmental agencies are attempting to levy fines to pay for their operations. The concern is that there is no cap on the fines and that government raises fees on it services without restriction and/or limitation. For example, the California Secretary of State charged a $15 fee for same day over-the-counter filing of corporations and limited liability companies. In the last year, that fee has risen to over $400 for same day filing. What this means is that government is levying big fees and hindering the start-up of new business. I recently formed two limited liability companies out of state. In a small midwest state, I was able to complete the entire process in approximately ten minutes via computer. California, the technological innovatore of the world does not offer the same service.
Trust Litigation; I have been preparing Wills and Trusts throughout my practice. Trusts preparation is a great way to avoid the time and expense of probate; however there are estates that only require wills and not trusts. With the increase in the number of trusts, there has been an increase in trust litigation. Unfortunately, some family members think that a trust gives them unlimited ability to use trust assets to the disadvantage of other trust beneficiaries. When that happens, the Courts intervene to require supervision and accounting of the trust funds. I recommend that trustee’s not spend a dime of the trust money without a receipt showing reasonable payment to a third party.
Civil Litigation; I do not want my clients involved in litigation except as a last resort. I personally would like to resolve the case through arbitration selecting an arbitrator familiar with the law in dispute. This method is not always cheaper but it is faster.
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