James Otto Heiting
Heiting & Irwin
The only past President of the State Bar of California ever elected from the Inland Empire, James Heiting handles civil litigation matters throughout California, recovering over $400 million for clients, dealing with wrongful death, serious injury, professional malpractice and transportation accidents. Also past President of Riverside’s County Bar, his firm has served the Inland Empire for over 45 years.
The managing partner of Heiting & Irwin has been practicing law since receiving his doctorate degree in law in 1976. Mr. Heiting is admitted to practice before all courts of the state, the federal courts, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the California and United States Supreme Courts.
Mr. Heiting also served on the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California, was a co-founder of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (training younger or less experienced members of the bar) and a charter member of the Inland Empire Federal Bar Association. He was president of the Other Bar (a statewide organization of judges and lawyers helping other lawyers and judges) 1991-1993, and a board member from 1988-2003 and again since 2006. He is or has been a member of multiple federal and state litigation, ethics, and trial associations. He served for several years as the ABA west coast Commissioner appointed by the American Bar Ass'n. President to oversee Lawyer Assistance Programs, evaluating, and providing leadership and support for programs in nine states.
Mr. Heiting has served in a variety of roles in Superior Court and the Federal District Court. He is also sought after as a privately requested and court appointed arbitrator and mediator in state courts and the California Court of Appeal. He has been an invited speaker, lecturer and panelist for the State Bar and a variety of legal and community organizations.
Emphasizing civil litigation in his career, Mr. Heiting represents clients throughout the State in bringing and/or defending a wide variety of claims.
- Personal Injury
- Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Insurance Claims
- Bad Faith Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation, Family - Arbitration/Mediation
- Medical Malpractice
- Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
- Wrongful Death
- Free Consultation
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Contingent Fees
We also advance costs and expenses in appropriate cases.
- California
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- 9th Circuit
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- U.S. Supreme Court
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- United States Court of Federal Claims
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- English: Spoken, Written
- French
- Spanish
- Senior Associate
- Heiting & Irwin
- - Current
- Managing Partner, emphasizing civil litigation.
- Western State Univ
- Undergraduate Degree
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- Western State Univ COL
- Law Degree
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- Member
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Florentino Garza Fortitude Award
- San Bernardino County Bar Association
- James H. Krieger Meritorious Service Award
- Riverside County Bar Association
- Ralph N. Kleps Award
- Fourth District Court of Appeal
- For improvement in the administration of the courts.
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Member
- - Current
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- San Bernardino County Bar Association # Lifetime member
- Member
- - Current
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- American Bar Association
- Chair of Substance Abuse Advisory Board
- - Current
- Activities: Vice Chair, Task Force on Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health (2015-2017); Vice Chair, Programming/Distance Learning/eSource of the Substance Use Disorders Task Force (2014-2015); Appointed Health Law and Policy Coordinatory Committee Liaison (2014-2015); Chair of Substance Abuse Advisory Board (2013-2014 and Vice Chair 2012-2013); ADR and Conflict Management in Healthcare Committee (2014-2015); West Coast Commissioner for CoLAP Program (2007-2010); Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs Diversity Initiative Committee and Judicial Assistance Initiative (2009 to present); Chair (2009-2010); Advisory Committee to the Standing Committee on Substance Abuse (2010-2012); Dispute Resolution Section Member
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- Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court # Emeritus member since 2002
- Founding member, "Master" status
- - Current
- Activities: Board of Directors (1992-1996)
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- California State Bar # 68996
- Member
- - Current
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- State Bar of California
- President
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- Riverside County Bar Association
- President
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- An Inconvenient Truth: Substance Abuse in the Legal Community, MCLE substance abuse panel, Hollywood, California
- Hispanic National Bar Association
- Sex, Drugs and Alcohol: Ethical Issues and Challenges of Addiction., Law Seminar, Rancho Las Palmas, Calfironia
- College Community Association of Lawyers of Rancho Las Palmas
- Diversity on the Bench: Getting There and Serving Without Blemish or Removal, National Bar Association Conference, San Diego, California
- National Bar Association
- Personal Journeys of Discovery, Western Conference of Professionals, Newport Beach, California
- Western Conference of Professionals in Recovery
- Chemical Dependency and Intervention, Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers Convention, San Diego, California
- Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers
How to Prepare for a Medical Malpractice Consultation
What sets Heiting & Irwin apart?
- Q. I had an accident my insurance denied my coverage because I was at work now I'm being sued is there anything I can do
- A: Either you were working and your employer covers it; or you were not working and your personal insurance covers it. There may be some odd circumstances that interfere with that simple analysis; but that seems to be the common sense of your situation. Good luck.
- Q. How hard is it to win a case from a fall do to side walk being uneven and trip hazard.
- A: Depends a lot on the height of the defect, the cause and how long it has been there. History of other falls and totality of circumstances make a difference. They can be very difficult to get past motions claiming the defect is "trivial".
- Q. Would Robertson's Trucking Company be liable for vehicle expenses related to tire blow-outs? Amount seeking $3,032.63
- A: Take them to small claims court.
