Richard R. Spirra, Appellate Attorney in San Diego, California
Over 44 years of legal practice · focused on Appellate, Business, and Entertainment · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
PartneratGordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP
San Diego, CA
Practicing appellate in San Diego since 1982.
- 44+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 1
- Bar admission
Are you Richard R. Spirra?
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Quick answer
Richard R. Spirra is a partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Entertainment. Richard has over 44 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Diego, CA
- Experience
- over 44 years
- Known for
- Appellate · Business · Entertainment
- Handles Appellate, Business, and Entertainment matters from San Diego, CA.
- Over 44 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About Richard R. Spirra: Richard R. Spirra is a partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Entertainment. Richard has over 44 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Richard R. Spirra
Richard concentrates on appellate, business, entertainment, general, and ip. Each area below outlines the kind of case Richard handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Appellate
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Business
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Entertainment
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General
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IP
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Litigation
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Appellate cases in San Diego, California
Richard takes appellate matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Richard agrees to represent you.
Business cases in San Diego, California
Richard takes business matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Richard agrees to represent you.
Entertainment cases in San Diego, California
Richard takes entertainment matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Richard agrees to represent you.
General cases in San Diego, California
Richard takes general matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Richard agrees to represent you.
IP cases in San Diego, California
Richard takes ip matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Richard agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Richard R. Spirra — Over 44 years of California appellate experience
Richard R. Spirra is a partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Entertainment. Richard has over 44 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Richard R. Spirra is a lawyer practicing lawsuits & disputes, communications & media, commercial litigation and 3 other areas of law. Richard received a B.A. degree from Ripon College in 1979, and has been licensed for 44 years. Richard practices at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP in San Diego, CA.
Working with Richard on a appellate matter
Richard R. Spirra is a lawyer practicing lawsuits & disputes, communications & media, commercial litigation and 3 other areas of law. Richard received a B.A. degree from Ripon College in 1979, and has been licensed for 44 years. Richard practices at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP in San Diego, CA.
Who Richard represents
Richard reviews new inquiries case-by-case for appellate, business, and entertainment matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Richard R. Spirra's legal education and bar admissions
Stanford University Law School
J.D. · 1982
Ripon College
B.A. · 1979
Jurisdictions
Richard's state bar admissions
California
1982 · ACTIVE
Richard studied at J.D. in Stanford University Law School and B.A. in Ripon College.
Law school and academic background
Richard completed J.D. in Stanford University Law School and B.A. in Ripon College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Richard runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Richard R. Spirra
Richard has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
Richard's professional memberships and bar associations
San Diego and American Bar Associations
membership
Locations
Richard R. Spirra's office in San Diego
Richard's primary office is at 101 W. Broadway, Ste. 2000, San Diego, CA, 92101. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP
101 W. Broadway, Ste. 2000
San Diego, CA 92101
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Richard R. Spirra — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Richard. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing appellate attorneys in San Diego.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Richard R. Spirra claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Richard R. Spirra — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new appellate attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Richard usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Richard charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Richard's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Richard will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a appellate attorney in San Diego, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many appellate matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Richard
Richard discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in appellate practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every appellate matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Richard confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Richard's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many appellate practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Richard R. Spirra
How much does it cost to hire Richard for a appellate case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Richard walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Richard offer a free consultation?
Richard charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Richard's office. Some appellate attorneys offer free consults — check Richard's current terms during booking.
How long do appellate cases in California typically take?
Simple appellate matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Richard gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Richard take my case if I'm outside San Diego?
Richard is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Richard will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Richard?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Richard will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Richard accepting new appellate clients right now?
Richard's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Appellate attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
Richard handles appellate matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified appellate attorneys in that community.
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
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