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Richard Spix

Richard Spix

CA USA

Career Roadmap

Richard's work combines: Law, Government, and Helping People

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Day In The Life

Attorney

I am a litigator who has helped hundreds of tenants in Southern California.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Latin American Studies

    California State University, Fullerton

  • Doctorate

    Law

    University of Southern California

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Attorney:

Bachelor's Degree: Latin American Studies

Doctorate: Law

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Worked to put myself through CSUF and USC Law school as an auto mechanic. I still have my Constitutional Law book with greasy fingerprints on the pages. Don't worry about the theory/practice gap.

  • 2.

    My first job in a personal injury firm on the 22nd floor of the Broadway Plaza was disappointing. I had to walk around the homeless crashed in the entrance alcoves trying not to step on their fingers.

  • 3.

    Finally got to use my Spanish skills at legal aid jobs but they didn't litigate enough for me and I moved on to my private practice.

  • 4.

    My private practice has involved about 6000 units of tenant defense and 400 jury trials. Later in life the opposing attorneys don't want to go to trial with me and we settle for repairs and low rents.

  • 5.

    Along the road, I have been honored to have several important cases published by Cal courts that further tenant and homeowner rights. Just keep swinging at injustice.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Family:

    You should get a "real job" at a big law firm that pays more.

  • How I responded:

    You can be very successful working in the low income community. There is little competition for the good cases and there is a huge unmet need.