Rian W. Jones is the supervising attorney of our General Litigation Department. He has over 23 years of experience as a litigator and has tried over 40 Superior Court jury trials. Prior to joining Epsten Grinnell & Howell, Rian was a partner at Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith for 4 years and a partner and trial counsel at Cuff, Robinson & Jones for 13 years. His current practice focuses on litigation involving the enforcement of CC&R’s and the defense of homeowner associations and HOA boards for breach of fiduciary duty, failure to maintain, view disputes and easements, ADA claims and other related litigation, including environmental claims (mold, asbestos, etc.).
During his career as a litigator, Rian has successfully handled lawsuits involving claims of personal injury, property damage, product liability, premises liability, breach of contract, toxic tort claims, employment law/wrongful termination claims, fraud, conversion and unfair business practices.
Rian attended Brigham Young University and later transferred to Western State University in San Diego (now Thomas Jefferson School of Law) where he received his B.S. (1981) and J.D. (1984) degrees. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1985 and also is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. He has been a lecturer for various continuing legal education programs dealing with Civil Procedure, Litigation, Depositions and Jury Selection. He has served as a Judge Pro Tem for the San Diego Superior Courts from 2000 to 2006, hearing settlement conferences, and has been an Arbitrator on the Court’s approved panel since 1990, having heard and decided over 100 arbitrations in that time.
Rian is a native San Diegan and is active in his community. He has served in the past as a Boy Scout Leader in various capacities including Varsity Team Coach and Explorer Post Advisor. He is currently a member of the Scout Committee for a local Scout Troop. Besides a life-long love for camping and hiking, Rian enjoys travel, photography, and golf. He is also fluent in Italian.