Richard W. S. Pershing
Estate Planning, Trust & Probate
Richard’s practice includes clients with estates and businesses of all sizes and types, from the very small to multi-million-dollar operations–both for profit and nonprofit. He engages in estate planning for single and married individuals with a particular interest in assisting business owners and family-owned businesses with their estate and business planning needs.
He is well-versed in the estate planning, business planning, and business succession concerns of healthcare professionals, having represented physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, and various allied health professions.
With respect to entities, he has represented both non-profit and for-profit hospitals, multi-hospital systems, multi-specialty medical groups, home health care agencies, clinical laboratories, and independent practice associations and foundations. Other business clients include construction companies, engineering and surveying, trucking, real estate development and management, and various types of technology, churches, foster care agencies, and law practices.
Although his practice is primarily transactional in nature, he been involved in litigation of such cases as medical employment contract matters, physician rights, anti-trust, unlicensed practice of medicine, and third-party payor contracting disputes.
Prior to entering the practice of law, Richard worked in hospital administration and for La Sierra University as the associate director of public relations and development. He has served on the faculty of California Southern College of Law and taught business law and other business courses for the various Riverside Community College District campuses.
He has conducted training as a certified bullying prevention trainer for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, Clemson University, and assisted schools and youth programs in implementing the program. He has served in various capacities in numerous civic, religious, and charitable boards and committees–including hospice, Rotary, Kiwanis, United Way, and the Riverside County Bar Association.
Richard served as chair of the Riverside County Bar Association Continuing Education Committee and co-chair of the Estate Planning and Elder Law Section. He has volunteered as a temporary judge for the Superior Court.
In his spare time, Richard serves as the Director for the Center for Conflict Resolution in the Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University.
Mr. Pershing is an alumnus of La Sierra University and received his mediation training from Pepperdine University, School of Law, Straus Institute. Like Dennis and Dayn Holstrom, he obtained his law degree through Western State University College of Law.
With respect to mediation, Richard believes in the “miracle of mediation” which occurs when parties to a dispute take ownership of their matter and exercise the power vested in them to resolve it instead of letting an outsider impose an outcome. He serves as a mediator for the Riverside County Superior Court and the Riverside County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Service. He mediates trust and will disputes and certain types of contractual or business disputes.
Richard is married and has two daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys painting and water coloring with his wife. He has been blessed with two grandchildren — with a third one on the way.
I experienced Dayne Holstrom, and Jim Parke for years. They are excellent, and professional. Corrina Fuller, paralegal, as well.
I first heard about Holstrom, Block and Parke doing an online search looking for a good law firm that would represent me for probate court. I reached out and set up an in-person meeting with one of their lawyers at their office in Corona. When I arrived I knew right away I was going to be in good hands. The receptionist was very friendly, showed me to their comfy waiting room and gave me a bottle of water. So far, so good. The lawyer I was meeting with showed up on time and was very communicative and helpful with understanding the reasons that brought me there. From there, they helped me with my case writing demand letters trying to get the opposing party to simply do what they were required to do by law. As a beneficiary, I was entitled to information and was victim of a family member who committed fraud and grand theft embezzlement against my father's trust. I was completely unsure of what to do, I had never sued anyone before and thankfully the team at HBP walked me through it. While I won't say that having to sue someone is affordable, I was at least happy with the rates HBP provided, especially in comparison to other law firms I had researched that were a lot more costly. They were also very good at communication, getting back to me in a timely manner and understanding my concerns. Affordability was a big concern of mine, so whenever I had a basic question that didn't require the main lawyers input I would be helped by another representative there who was on a lower rate. This certainly helped as things would get more expensive with the process involved. Throughout this process, things did get more difficult as one would expect when having to go to court and the costs involved. It got a little bumpy when my lawyer left the law firm due to being offered a position as a judge, but I was quickly reassured that everything would be a smooth transition with my replacement. I was a bit nervous at first, but when I went back into their office I was quickly greeted by Kayla who did an amazing job reassuring me that everything was going to continue smoothly as planned. Kayla also informed me that if I had any questions or concerns that she would address them and at no cost. This was a huge relief for me and really helped to reassure me that I was cared about as their client. I later reached out to Kayla with some questions and she was always quick to give me a call and provide answers I was looking for. Dayn Holstrom had reached out to me directly as well to discuss the changes to the case and to reassure me as well which was also very comforting. In addition to Kayla and Dayn's professionalism, I was also very happy with my replacement lawyer Samantha Larkin. She was quick to pick up the torch and catch up on my case and took it very seriously. She also made sure to explain things throughly and as quickly as possible to help avoid any unnecessary costs. In the end, I was able to get the opposing council to provide a settlement worth more than their original offer. Let's face it, going to court is not fun, costly and time consuming. Thankfully, Holstrom, Block and Parke was able to help me through the entire process and get me justice for my father. I am happy I chose them as my law firm and that I got the results I was hoping for.
I have worked extensively with Holstrom Block and Parke on my young son's child custody case. From restraining orders to full blown court trial to decide custody, this firm and it's great staff have truly changed our lives for the better. Kristen and Dayn Holstrom have managed my case from the beginning where they both hand picked multiple attorneys to represent me. I am truly appreciative of their work and for all the work from my attorney's, Matthew Bogosian and Chandra Moss and their entire paralegal staff. All outcomes have been positive! Highly approve!
Education
- Western State University College of Law Juris Doctor, 1990
- Pepperdine University, School of Law, Straus Institute
- La Sierra University Bachelor’s – Cum Laude, 1980
Publications
- Contributor to Advanced Guide for Mediators by Susan Exon
- Adventist Center for Conflict Resolution is Training Thousands in Mediation, Spectrum Magazine
Professional Positions, Associations, and Memberships
- State Bar of California
- Riverside County Bar Association
- San Bernardino County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Bar & Court Admissions
- State Bar of California, 1990
- Admitted to the Southern District of California, United States Federal Court
- Admitted to the Bar of the San Manuel Tribal Court, Bar #12