Atty. James Otto Heiting

Atty. James Otto Heiting

The only past president of the entire State Bar of California ever elected from the Inland Empire and recipient of the James H. Krieger Meritorious Service Award, the highest award given by the Riverside County Bar Association (for outstanding community service and community achievement) "Jim" Heiting handles civil litigation matters throughout California.

Riverside Riverside 50 yrs experience 50 year
Call (951) 900-7944 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About James Otto Heiting at a glance

James Otto Heiting is a Managing Partner based in Riverside, California, practicing at Heiting & Irwin, APLC. They have 50+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1976. Their practice focuses on truck accidents, medical malpractice, personal injury, workers comp, and tbi/sci. Admitted to practice in California (1976), U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. District Court, Central District of California (1977), and U.S. District Court, Southern District of California (1982). Educated at Western State University (J.D., 1975) and Riverside University (B.S., 1971). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Riverside County (President, 1996) and American Bar Associations American Society of Law and Medicine Leo A and Deegan Inn of Court. Serands clients in Riverside, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • The only past president of the entire State Bar of California ever elected from the Inland Empire and recipient of the James H. Krieger Meritorious Service Award, the highest award given by the Riverside County Bar Association (for outstanding community service and community achievement) "Jim" Heiting handles civil litigation matters throughout California
  • Heiting & Irwin has six attorneys and a staff of twenty-one and has been serving clients for over 30 years
  • James Heiting is rated as "preeminent" (the highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards awarded by other lawyers) and has been for the last 10 years
  • He and his firm have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients, dealing with serious injuries, wrongful death, malpractice and accidents and negligence of all types
  • Partner, Richard Irwin, is one of the few certified specialists in workers' compensation in the state (since 1995)
  • Practicing since receiving his doctorate degree in 1976, and admitted to practice before all state and federal courts, including the California and United States Supreme Courts, Mr. Heiting spent several years on the State Bar Board of Governors, and was its president in 2005-2006, was a co-founder of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (training less experienced members of the bar), and was a charter member of the Inland Empire Federal Bar Association
  • He served (2007-2010) as a Commissioner for the American Bar LAP program overseeing 9 western states
  • He has also been president of the Riverside County Bar Association and The Other Bar (a statewide organization of judges and lawyers helping other lawyers and judges) and a variety of non-profit and community organizations
  • Jim Heiting has served in various roles in Superior Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Federal District Court, as well, often acting in fact-finding capacities and as a mediator or arbitrator
  • and he has been an invited speaker, lecturer, faculty member, and panelist across the country for consumer and defense attorneys, universities, law schools, the State Bar, the American Bar Association, and a variety of other legal and community organizations
  • He was selected to be a member of his law school's Hall of Fame
  • Mr. Heiting is a board member of several service and community organizations and is the current President of the Riverside Lyric Opera and the Tennessee Walking Horse Association of California
  • Mr. Heiting is well-known for passionately fighting for his clients and as a very successful, tough and tenacious advocate and lawyer

Practice Areas Explained

James Otto Heiting's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James Otto Heiting handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Truck Accidents

James Otto Heiting is one of 4,975 truck accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse truck accidents attorneys in California →

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.

James Otto Heiting is one of 49,086 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in California →

Personal Injury

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

James Otto Heiting is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →

Workers Compensation

Workers compensation lawyers help injured workers get medical care, lost wages, and disability benefits. Free consult, no fee unless you win.

James Otto Heiting is one of 55,389 workers comp attorneys indexed nationally. Browse workers comp attorneys in California →

Brain & Spinal Cord Injury

James Otto Heiting is one of 10,267 tbi/sci attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tbi/sci attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in California

Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Riverside are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Riverside or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about James Otto Heiting

Where is James Otto Heiting's law office located?
James Otto Heiting's law practice is located in Riverside, California. The firm is Heiting & Irwin, APLC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does James Otto Heiting handle?
James Otto Heiting focuses on truck accidents, medical malpractice, personal injury, workers comp, tbi/sci. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
How long has James Otto Heiting practiced law?
James Otto Heiting has 50+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1976.
Where did James Otto Heiting go to law school?
James Otto Heiting earned their education at (J.D., 1975); (B.S., 1971).
How can I contact James Otto Heiting for a consultation?
You can contact James Otto Heiting directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has James Otto Heiting received?
James Otto Heiting's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
Western State University
- 1975
B.S.
Riverside University
- 1971

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

California
Admitted: 1976
U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. District Court, Central District of California
Admitted: 1977
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
Admitted: 1982

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