Ritt, Tai, Thvedt, & Hodges - Pasadena, CA

Elite Trial Advocacy and Civil Litigation in Pasadena

When serious commercial disputes, employment conflicts, or criminal allegations threaten your livelihood or business operations, having seasoned trial lawyers in your corner is essential. When individuals, public employees, and corporate entities need to hire a business litigation lawyer in Pasadena, California, Ritt, Tai, Thvedt, & Hodges provides formidable courtroom advocacy. Established in 1995 by founding partner D. Jay Ritt and partner Warren O. Hodges, Jr., the firm has spent three decades successfully resolving high-stakes disputes at price points far below larger multi-tiered law firms.

The firm operates on the guiding principle that litigation should be the pursuit of practical ends rather than costly gamesmanship. Whether you need to consult an employment attorney to litigate a complex wrongful termination claim or require an aggressive defense in federal criminal proceedings, the firm approaches every case with trial-ready preparation. Having negotiated two of the largest employment settlements in the history of the City of Pasadena and achieved landmark decisions before the California Supreme Court, the firm possesses a distinguished reputation across Southern California courts.

Comprehensive Trial and Appellate Practice Areas

The attorneys at Ritt, Tai, Thvedt, & Hodges represent plaintiffs and defendants across core litigation disciplines:

• Business and Commercial Litigation: Handling complex breach of contract claims, partnership dissolutions, trade secret theft, corporate fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty disputes.
• Employment Law and Wrongful Termination: Representing employers and employees in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower disputes, and wage and hour class actions.
• Criminal Defense and Post-Conviction Advocacy: Defending individuals and corporations against federal white-collar accusations, bribery, fraud, and handling capital murder habeas corpus appeals.
• Intellectual Property Litigation: Enforcing and defending patent, trademark, and copyright infringement claims for corporations, technology firms, and brand holders.
• Education Law and Title IX Representation: Counseling California colleges, independent schools, faculty, and students in disciplinary hearings and Title IX investigations.
• Civil Rights and Public Employee Protection: Litigating constitutional claims and First Amendment rights before state and federal courts, including the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Distinguished Legal Team and Trial Credentials

Founding partner D. Jay Ritt graduated cum laude from UC Berkeley and earned his law degree from Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) in 1988. Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and designated a Southern California Super Lawyer, Mr. Ritt has tried cases ranging from complex commercial fraud to winning a unanimous California Supreme Court ruling overturning a client's death penalty. Partner Warren O. Hodges, Jr., a Yale University and USC Gould School of Law alumnus admitted in 1989, brings extensive trial experience representing and opposing major national corporations. Supported by of counsel Sachin Mehta, a former American Samoa public defender with degrees from UCLA and USC, the certified minority- and woman-owned firm provides unmatched trial excellence.

Goal-Oriented Representation and Case Evaluations

Ritt, Tai, Thvedt, & Hodges remains deeply committed to cost-effective, client-focused representation. If you need a lawyer in Pasadena to evaluate a business conflict or employment dispute, the firm offers comprehensive initial case evaluations. With a proven record in arbitration, state and federal trials, and appellate advocacy, the legal team delivers smart, decisive legal solutions. Prospective clients can contact the firm's Pasadena office located at 65 North Raymond Avenue, Unit 320, to arrange a consultation.