James Otto Heiting

The only past president of the entire State Bar of California ever elected from the Inland Empire and recipient of the James H. Krieger Meritorious Service Award, the highest award given by the Riverside County Bar Association (for outstanding community service and community achievement) "Jim" Heiting handles civil litigation matters throughout California. Heiting & Irwin has six attorneys and a staff of twenty-one and has been serving clients for over 30 years.

James Heiting is rated as "preeminent" (the highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards awarded by other lawyers) and has been for the last 10 years. He and his firm have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients, dealing with serious injuries, wrongful death, malpractice and accidents and negligence of all types. Partner, Richard Irwin, is one of the few certified specialists in workers' compensation in the state (since 1995).

Practicing since receiving his doctorate degree in 1976, and admitted to practice before all state and federal courts, including the California and United States Supreme Courts, Mr. Heiting spent several years on the State Bar Board of Governors, and was its president in 2005-2006, was a co-founder of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (training less experienced members of the bar), and was a charter member of the Inland Empire Federal Bar Association. He served (2007-2010) as a Commissioner for the American Bar LAP program overseeing 9 western states.

He has also been president of the Riverside County Bar Association and The Other Bar (a statewide organization of judges and lawyers helping other lawyers and judges) and a variety of non-profit and community organizations.

Jim Heiting has served in various roles in Superior Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Federal District Court, as well, often acting in fact-finding capacities and as a mediator or arbitrator; and he has been an invited speaker, lecturer, faculty member, and panelist across the country for consumer and defense attorneys, universities, law schools, the State Bar, the American Bar Association, and a variety of other legal and community organizations. He was selected to be a member of his law school's Hall of Fame.

Mr. Heiting is a board member of several service and community organizations and is the current President of the Riverside Lyric Opera and the Tennessee Walking Horse Association of California.

Mr. Heiting is well-known for passionately fighting for his clients and as a very successful, tough and tenacious advocate and lawyer.