John J. Rice, General Attorney in San Diego, California
Over 34 years of legal practice · focused on General, Litigation, and Personal Injury · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
MemberatLaFave & Rice
San Diego, CA
Practicing general in San Diego since 1992.
- 34+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 2
- Bar admissions
Are you John J. Rice?
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Quick answer
John J. Rice is a member based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on General, Litigation, and Personal Injury. John has over 34 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at LaFave & Rice. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Diego, CA
- Experience
- over 34 years
- Known for
- General · Litigation · Personal Injury
- Handles General, Litigation, and Personal Injury matters from San Diego, CA.
- Over 34 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About John J. Rice: John J. Rice is a member based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on General, Litigation, and Personal Injury. John has over 34 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at LaFave & Rice. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Legal matters John takes on
John concentrates on general, litigation, personal injury, tbi/sci, and wrongful death. Each area below outlines the kind of case John handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
General
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Litigation
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Personal Injury
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TBI/SCI
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Wrongful Death
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General cases in San Diego, California
John 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 John agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in San Diego, California
John takes litigation 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 John agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in San Diego, California
John takes personal injury 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 John agrees to represent you.
TBI/SCI cases in San Diego, California
John takes tbi/sci 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 John agrees to represent you.
Wrongful Death cases in San Diego, California
John takes wrongful death 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 John agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet John J. Rice — general lawyer in San Diego
John J. Rice is a member based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on General, Litigation, and Personal Injury. John has over 34 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at LaFave & Rice. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
John J. Rice is a lawyer practicing including catastrophic injuries, injuries to minors, litigation and 2 other areas of law. John J. received a B.A. degree from University of Redlands in 1982, and has been licensed for 34 years. John J. practices at LaFave & Rice in San Diego, CA.
How John handles general matters
John J. Rice is a lawyer practicing including catastrophic injuries, injuries to minors, litigation and 2 other areas of law. John J. received a B.A. degree from University of Redlands in 1982, and has been licensed for 34 years. John J. practices at LaFave & Rice in San Diego, CA.
Who John represents
John reviews new inquiries case-by-case for general, litigation, and personal injury matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
California Western School of Law
J.D. · 1992
University of Redlands
B.A. · 1982
Jurisdictions
John's state bar admissions
California U.S. Cour
1992 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1992 · ACTIVE
John studied at J.D. in California Western School of Law and B.A. in University of Redlands.
Law school and academic background
John completed J.D. in California Western School of Law and B.A. in University of Redlands. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice John runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
John has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
John's professional memberships and bar associations
San Diego County Bar Association State Bar of California San Diego Trial Lawyers Association Consumer Attorneys of California Association of Business Trial Lawyers of San Diego
membership
Locations
John J. Rice's office in San Diego
John's primary office is at 2333 First Ave., Ste. 201, San Diego, CA, 92101-1520. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of John J. Rice — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of John. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing general 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 John J. Rice claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire John J. Rice — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new general attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with John usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
John charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain John'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; John will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a general attorney in San Diego, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many general 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 John
John discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in general practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every general 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. John confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
John's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many general practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about John J. Rice
How much does it cost to hire John for a general case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. John walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does John offer a free consultation?
John charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain John's office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check John's current terms during booking.
How long do general cases in California typically take?
Simple general 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. John gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can John take my case if I'm outside San Diego?
John 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 — John 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 John?
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. John will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is John accepting new general clients right now?
John's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
General attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
John handles general matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified general 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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