Patricia M. Erickson
I graduated from Mills College in Oakland, California in May of 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Little did I know how important all the reading that I had to do in that major would become a valuable asset in law school.
While I knew that I wanted to become an attorney, I took several years off of school and worked at different ski resorts in California as a kitchen manager, bartender, waitress and other seasonal jobs during the summer months.
Finally, in 1985, I applied and was accepted to the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. During my first year at McGeorge, I was a full time day student. At the beginning of my second year, I also began working part-time.
From September of 1986 until September of 1987, I was employed as a law clerk at the firm of Jones & Stephens located in Roseville, California. This firm was comprised of three attorneys and was engaged in the practice of civil litigation, primarily personal injury and some criminal defense. I was required to prepare and respond to discovery requests, complete research and prepare motions in all areas of the firm's practice.
From September of 1987 until May of 1988, I was employed as an intern at the California State Public Defender's Office in Sacramento, California. I was assigned to assist an attorney who practiced exclusively in the appeals of death penalty cases. I completed in-depth research on jury instructions, attorney misconduct, search and seizure issues, and other issues unique to the death penalty.
From June of 1988 to September of 1990, I was employed as an associate attorney at the firm of Goodman, Stein & Chesnoff in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was completely responsible for all out of court aspects of the federal, Nevada State trial and appellate cases assigned to me. I reviewed discovery, researched and prepared substantive motions, engaged in negotiations and maintained client contact.
Since September of 1990, I have been a sole practitioner in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have maintained my own office and have been lucky enough to continue on my own since that time.
One final thought that I would like to leave with you, is that if you require my services, I will always be totally truthful with you regarding all aspects of your case, even if those facts may not be what you want to hear. There are too many attorneys who tell their clients what the client wants to hear and when that does not happen and the client goes off to jail, the advising attorney gets to walk out of the court room. I will do my absolute best to never put any client of mine in that situation. With me you have my promise that I will be prepared, know the facts of your case, be able to discuss what the evidence does and does not establish and knowing all of these things will counsel you as to what is the best option for you. It will always be your decision but I will give you the best advise that I can.
