Scott Ritsema
California Personal Injury Attorney & Defective Products Lawyer

A Labor of Love for Twenty-Two Years

Scott Ritsema joined the Bisnar|Chase team in 2008 to use his expert knowledge to aid people in cases where they were victims to unforeseen personal injuries and tragedies. Scott enjoys working as a plaintiff's attorney because of the personal satisfaction he receives from representing the really seriously injured against corporate wrongdoers, insurance companies and negligent governmental entities. It is a labor of love for Scott.

In the beginning of his career he worked as a defense attorney and found that winning cases for corporations and insurance companies gave him professional satisfaction, but very little personal satisfaction. Yes, he had done his job and won for his clients, but he knew he was not representing the side he was passionate about. Since then, he has made it his mission to stand up for people who have suffered serious personal injuries, fight for their rights and to hold the wrongdoers accountable.

A "John Wayne" With True Grit

Scott is a big, quiet type of guy who is very focused on his client's causes. Whenever we see a big Cheshire cat smile come across Scott's face when he returns from the court room or from a settlement conference, we know that another client has gotten their fair share of justice at the hands of Mr. Ritsema, kind of like in the movie "True Grit". Imagine John Wayne or Jeff Bridges getting the job done for Mattie Ross and you'll have a picture of the kind of attorney Scott Ritsema is.

What His Bosses Say About Scott Ritsema

"Scott is one of the best attorneys I have ever worked with; he has an uncanny eye for assessing a court room battle. He is the guy you want in the foxhole with you when you go to trial." - Brian Chase, Partner

"His litigation instincts, personal tenacity and trial skills are a huge asset in any battle. I am glad he is on our side." - John Bisnar, Partner

Professional Outstanding Achievements

Mr. Ritsema has brought 15 trials to verdict and conducted over 50 arbitrations to conclusion. His successful career can be shown in the following verdicts and settlements:

• Villamor v Bragonnier: $1,000,000 settlement on automobile v pedestrian collision in 2010
• Farris v Azusa Pacific University: $1,500,000 judgment against the City of Azusa for dangerous roadway condition and a confidential settlement from Azusa Pacific University for negligence
• Numerous confidential settlements in excess of $1,000,000, including three in 2010 alone.

Scott's Motivation and Determination

Born in Michigan, Scott moved to California with his family when he was very young and grew up locally in Southern California, primarily right here in Newport Beach. Scott moved back to Michigan with his family for his high school years, graduating from Grandville High School in 1979 near the top of his class, and as a two-year member of the National Honor Society. His drive to succeed and become an attorney brought him back to California where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UCLA in 1984. Shortly after, he took on the challenge of attaining his Juris Doctor by graduating from University of California, Davis Law School in 1988.

Mr. Ritsema was admitted to the California Bar in 1988 and has been practicing law with a passion ever since. He is dedicated to representing the people who need representation the most, the most seriously injured, as is evidenced by the lawyer organizations that he is a part of, the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association and Consumer Attorneys of California and by winning the Order of the Coif Award in 1988.

Commitment to Community

Scott places importance on finding time to give back to his community. He actively supports Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and participates in the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure to help raise awareness and generate funds for Breast Cancer research.

Husband, Dad, Soccer Coach and Ski Race

In his rare free time, Scott promotes family time with his wife and his two beautiful daughters. Scott met his wife Kristin in law school at U.C. Davis, and they have been together ever since, now happily married for over 15 years. Kristin has worked for the State Bar of California for over 15 years, currently working as an Assistant Chief Trial Counsel, where she helps protect the public by seeking to discipline or disbar attorneys who violate our profession's ethical rules. Scott prides himself in being the typical "family guy" when he's not representing clients. He makes coaching his daughter's sports teams a priority in his life, something that he totally enjoys.

A former ski racer, Scott enjoys spending time outdoors playing sports and golfing with his family and friends. He values his friendships and makes a point to keep in touch with his college fraternity brothers. Scott organized the first annual UCLA Kappa Sigma reunion five years ago and every year after a group of fifty to sixty men get together in Palms Springs to share stories, relax and golf.