This week, we got the the privilege of Craft Talks by two of our longstanding members Rich Hutton, Esq. and Jim Helms, Esq.

Rich graduated from UCLA School of Law. He is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist and Past President of the Los Angeles County Criminal Court Bar Association. His law firm is currently located in Pasadena, where he was born and raised. As soon as he finished law school, Rich went on active duty with the military where he was a Quartermaster Lieutenant. What he liked most about his time in the military is that he was stationed close to Washington D.C. and got to enjoy watching arguments before the Supreme Court.

Rich’s first job was with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. He enjoyed his time as a District Attorney for a number of reasons, one of which is his belief that they can do more justice thank anyone. He feels that a fair minded District Attorney can really make the system work and can dismiss cases where judges cannot. Rich has tried more than 500 jury trials and feels that this is more than anyone in the state

Outside of the practice of law, he has been married for 51 years and has two children.  He and his wife actively participate in Yorkie Rescue, which, as I have two Yorkies myself, clearly makes them upstanding and intelligent human beings.

Next was Jim Helms. He just closed his office after 62 very successful years of practice. He has also lived in Arcadia for 63 years. Jim was a second lieutenant in the Army. He stayed in the Army Reserves for 22 years. Jim graduated from USC Law School. He also served for 8 years on the Arcadia City Council and was President of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Club and a Master of the Arcadia Masonic Lodge. Most recently, Jim is proud of his newest invention in retirement: a calendar. It has six days called “Saturday” and one day called “Sunday.”

Nothing has come easy for Jim.  In March, 1952 he was in law school, the war was taking place in Korea, and every day he opened the mail he expected to have a call. If he was called, he felt he would lose his learning in the last thee years. Jim would take the bus into law school, worked for a law firm in the afternoon and then studied for the material for class the next day. Jim was fortunate to get a job right out of law school, however, one of the senior partners died, one became a judge and the firm lost a big retainer agreement for the City of Los Angeles. Jim’s wife was teaching school in Monrovia, and they had enough money to pay groceries and rent. He talked to his wife and said if there was the time to open a law firm, here it is. He found an office on Baldwin, he  did not have any money for the rent but he got a loan for $300 from the bank with no security.

Jim is astounded with three changes in the law. Attorneys could not advertise when he started; the State Bar would not let you advertise anything, not even in the phone book. He went to Rotary to meet people. He also joined the Elks Lodge and met someone who was starting his electric supply business – he was the best friend he ever had. It was Kathy’s father. Now, attorney advertising is everywhere.

The second change that astounds Jim is how a lawyers’ tool box has changed. When he started, lawyers had a library. Now, everything is online.

The final change that astounds Jim is how ownership of law firms and even the practice of law may change over the next few years. For example, he envisions walking to Costco and having “Costco Legal Services.” The practice of law will no longer be a profession but will be a business.

Pages can be written on Jim Helms and his accomplishments. We are so fortunate to have him as a member in our Club.