Richard A. Carsel

RICHARD A. CARSEL received his B.A. in political science from San Francisco State University and his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law. While in law school he served as the Research Assistant to the Dean and wrote for the Law Review.

He began his career as an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at California Polytechnic State University (“Cal Poly”) (1968-1970 full-time; 1973-1975 and 1987 part-time). Richard has taught all of the law courses in every department at Cal Poly and all of the real estate courses in the Business Department.

Richard left teaching to become a Deputy District Attorney for San Luis Obispo County concentrating on the prosecution of complex white collar crimes (1970-1973). He also served as special counsel to the County Planning Commission (on land use/real estate crimes) and the Board of Supervisors (on criminal investigations against County management employees and elected officials). To the best of his knowledge, he still holds the record for the most convictions obtained from a jury in one criminal case (156). In 1976 he was appointed the Public Defender of San Luis Obispo County and served for 5 years (during which time he was allowed to maintain his private practice).

He opened his private law practice in 1973. During approximately forty years of practice, Richard has valued his many clients and has had many long-term relationships representing businesses and families (including several generations of the same families).

Richard is an experienced trial attorney having tried hundreds of cases including numerous homicides and complex business and estate cases (e.g., theft of trade secrets, usurpation of corporate opportunities, securities fraud, undue influence, elder financial abuse, fiduciary malfeasance, etc.). His practice now is concentrated in business, estate planning (trusts, wills, probate) and related litigation.

He has served as an Arbitrator and Judge Pro Tem for the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, a Hearing Panel Member of the Client Security Fund of the California State Bar, a Certified Special Master of the California State Bar, and as the Chairman of the Magistrate Selection Committee for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (appointed by the Chief Judge).

Richard has served as President of Congregation Beth David (2 terms), President of Temple Ner Shalom (2 terms) and as its Lay Spiritual Leader for 10 years, President of the San Luis Obispo Ministerial Association and President of the San Luis Obispo Noontime Kiwanis Club. He has been a board member and/or officer of many local nonprofit organizations [e.g., San Luis Obispo County Symphony (3 years), Judson Terrace Homes (a HUD funded 140 unit assisted living Residential Care Facility for the Elderly, 6 years), etc.].

Richard and his wife, Jan participate in many fundraising events supporting charities and non-profit groups throughout San Luis Obispo County. They are thankful to belong to, and dedicated to making, San Luis Obispo a better place to live and work.