Richard Collier

Mr. Collier has been in practice for more than 40 years as a trial lawyer and over 25 years as a mediator and arbitrator. Since first training as a mediator in 1993, he has mediated or arbitrated to completion over 400 disputes across a wide range of civil law, ranging in complexity from smaller value disputes to large, multi-million dollar settlements. Mr. Collier prides himself upon thorough preparation – of the participants as well as of himself. He has proven to be particularly effective in disputes encumbered by high emotions. His respect for the emotional dynamics between the parties, as well as his thorough understanding of the facts and law, allow him to build credibility with the parties and their counsel while crafting settlement scenarios to ensure resolution.

As a trial lawyer, Mr. Collier’s practice has focused on trust and probate litigation for the past 15 years. He has represented beneficiaries and trustees, both individual and institutional, in removal and surcharge proceedings, cases involving interpretation and modification of trusts, and will and trust contests. Mr. Collier was recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer in Probate and Trust Litigation for nine consecutive years.

In addition to his probate expertise, Mr. Collier has handled numerous business and commercial disputes on behalf of individual and corporate clients, as plaintiffs and defendants, including actions related to partnership dissolutions, unfair competition, distributor termination, shareholder disputes, trade secrets and trademarks, insurance coverage, and bad faith disputes.