How much does it cost to hire Richard for a general 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 general attorneys offer free consults — check Richard's current terms during booking.

How long do general cases in Florida 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. 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 Tampa?

Richard is licensed in Florida. Matters governed by Florida 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 general clients right now?

Richard's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Richard Ryan Rivas, General Attorney in Tampa, Florida

Over 14 years of legal practice · focused on General, Medical Malpractice, and Slip & Fall · 5.0/5 rating from 18 verified client reviews

Managing PartneratHall Booth Smith, P.C.

Tampa, FL

Practicing general in Tampa since 2012.

14+: Years practicing
5.0 ★: 18 client reviews
2: Bar admissions

Practices in

General Medical Malpractice Slip & Fall

Are you Richard Ryan Rivas?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

Richard Ryan Rivas is a managing partner based in Tampa, FL. The practice focuses on General, Medical Malpractice, and Slip & Fall. Richard has over 14 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Hall Booth Smith, P.C.. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 18 client reviews.

Based in: Tampa, FL
Experience: over 14 years
Known for: General · Medical Malpractice · Slip & Fall

Handles General, Medical Malpractice, and Slip & Fall matters from Tampa, FL.
Over 14 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with AV Preeminent.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Richard takes on

Richard concentrates on general, medical malpractice, and slip & fall. Each area below outlines the kind of case Richard handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

General cases in Tampa, Florida

Richard takes general matters in Tampa, Florida. 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.

Medical Malpractice cases in Tampa, Florida

Richard takes medical malpractice matters in Tampa, Florida. 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.

Slip & Fall cases in Tampa, Florida

Richard takes slip & fall matters in Tampa, Florida. 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

Meet Richard Ryan Rivas — general lawyer in Tampa

Ryan Rivas is Managing Partner at Hall Booth Smith’s Tampa, Florida, office. He has over a decade of legal experience and specializes in defending high exposure cases involving hospitals, physicians, dentists, nurses, and other health care providers in a broad spectrum of complex professional negligence cases on national, regional, and local levels. He is also a member of the firm’s National Trial Counsel Team.

In addition to his work in the field of health care litigation, Ryan also devotes a large part of his practice to defending national retailers in high exposure premises liability, negligent security, Dram shop/liquor liability, transportation/trucking matters, and other general liability matters throughout the state of Florida. Amongst his peers he is recognized as an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell.

Prior to joining HBS, Ryan worked as a trial attorney in a large national insurance defense firm, where he represented multiple hospital systems, dental practices, physicians, and other health care providers in a wide range of complex medical negligence matters, including birth-related trauma, brain injury, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death. Ryan has also represented long-term care facilities, psychiatric facilities, and individual physicians and health care providers in connection with disciplinary proceedings in front of the Florida Department of Health.

Ryan earned a Juris Doctor from Barry University and holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Criminology with minors in both Communications and Psychology from Florida State University.

Ryan is also actively involved in numerous professional organizations including DRI, The Florida Defense Lawyers Association, The Florida Bar, and the Hillsborough County Bar Association.

Ryan was born and raised in Tampa where he resides with his wife Melissa and their daughter Charlotte. In his spare time Ryan enjoys traveling, boating, golfing, and spending time with his family.

Recognition

•AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, High Ethical Standing, by Martindale-Hubbell

Publications

•Proper Medical Charting is Critical to Protecting Against Legal Risk
Physicians Practice; August 21, 2021
•Unionization Efforts in the Time of COVID-19
Tampa Bay Business Journal; April 16, 2021

Presentations

•Defending the Ground: Strategies for Premises Liability Cases
FDLA 28th Annual Florida Liability Claims Conference; June 19, 2025

In the Press

Hall Booth Smith Adds Four Attorneys in its Tampa Office

January 31, 2022

TAMPA, FL - January 28, 2022 - Hall Booth Smith, P.C. (HBS) has added four attorneys to its Tampa office as the firm expands to serve its health care clients in the state of Florida. Frances G. Prockop is a Partner in our Tampa office with more than three decades of legal experience. She represents

Richard's approach to general cases

The kind of cases Richard takes

Richard reviews new inquiries case-by-case for general, medical malpractice, and slip & fall matters in Tampa and the surrounding Florida area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

Barry University
J.D. · 2011
Florida State University,
B.S. Criminology · 2003

Jurisdictions

Richard's state bar admissions

U.S. District Court,
2016 · ACTIVE
Florida
2012 · ACTIVE

Richard studied at J.D. in Barry University and B.S. Criminology in Florida State University,.

Law school and academic background

Richard completed J.D. in Barry University and B.S. Criminology in Florida State University,. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Richard runs in Florida is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

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

Memberships •DRI •Florida Bar Association, 2012 - Present •Florida Defense Lawyers Association, 2020 - Present •Florida State Alumni Association •Hillsborough County Bar Association, 2012 - Present •St
membership
Petersburg Bar Association, 2020 - Present
membership

Locations

Richard Ryan Rivas's office in Tampa

Richard's primary office is at Suite 400, 2701 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL, 33607. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

Suite 400, 2701 N. Rocky Point Drive

Tampa, FL 33607

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Richard Ryan Rivas — 5.0/5 rating from 18 verified client reviews

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 general attorneys in Tampa.

5.0

18 client reviews

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Richard Ryan Rivas claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Richard Ryan Rivas — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new general 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 general attorney in Tampa, Florida

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 Richard

Richard 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. 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 general practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Richard Ryan Rivas

How much does it cost to hire Richard for a general 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 general attorneys offer free consults — check Richard's current terms during booking.
How long do general cases in Florida 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. 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 Tampa?
Richard is licensed in Florida. Matters governed by Florida 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 general 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

General attorneys serving Tampa, Miami and Orlando in Florida

Richard handles general matters throughout Florida. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified general attorneys in that community.

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If Richard's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these general attorneys in Tampa handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.