Credentials
Mr. Morrell is a member of the following organizations, each and all of which evidence his experience and expertise in civil advocacy as a personal injury lawyer.
An Illustrious Legal Career with Outstanding Credentials
American Board of Trial Advocates
Mr. Morrell was admitted into the American Board of Trial Advocates in 1989. 
This is a National Organization in which one must first qualify with a minimum number of civil jury trials, and then be nominated by ones peers. The number of members is limited. In Orange County, of the 10,000 or so attorneys, there are only about 100 that are members (as of 2004). In the entire United States there are less than 6000 members. This is staggering when one considers that there are over 200,000 attorneys in California alone.
Attorneys who are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates are considered to be “the best of the best.” If your attorney is a member of the American Board, then you know that you have an experienced well qualified attorney, who is able and ready to take your case to trial.
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Mr. Morrell became eligible for the Million Dollar 
Advocates Forum in 1987. To be eligible, one must prove to the Forum that you have recovered in a civil proceeding at least One Million Dollars on behalf of your client. Mr. Morrell has had several such recoveries. He officially became a member in 2003. There are only about 2500 members in the entire United States (as of 2004). Membership is considered “the most prestigious group of trial lawyers in the United States.” Less than 1% of the U.S. lawyers are members. Again, if your attorney is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, then you know your attorney is experienced in big dollar, serious injury cases.
Super Lawyer
Mr. Morrell was selected as a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers SIX consecutive years – 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012! 
This is the result of a selection process in which less than 5% of the attorneys in Southern California are selected. Super Lawyer “is an annual listing of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.” “Law and Politics uses a multi-step selection process that takes approximately 9 months”… to include a survey of active attorneys in the State, researching of credentials, along with a blue ribbon review panel of leading attorneys.
Lawdragon’s Top 3000
Mr. Morrell was also listed and identified as one of 
Lawdragon’s Top 3000 attorneys in the United States. This represents less than 1% of the legal profession. Lawdragon is a legal ranking and news service that provides expert analysis about lawyers and judges. Lawdragon describes its listing as the “most elite group of legal professionals compiled in the country.” The Lawdragon guide is created through a combination of online balloting and independent research based on reviews by clients and peers, as well as interviews with other legal professionals. The Lawdragon Top 3000 is considered “the ultimate guide to the best lawyers in the nation.”
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates
Mr. Morrell is also a Life Member of Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. 
To be a member, the attorney must have recovered “multi-millions” on behalf of his client.
Certified Trial Specialist
Mr. Morrell is a “Certified Trial Specialist” with NBLSC Board Certified Lawyers. There are less then 120 attorneys in the State of California that have this certification given by the 
National Board of Trial Advocacy. A dedication to achieving and maintaining a high standard of practice is shared by those who obtain National Board of Trial Advocacy certification. Certificate holders undergo a thorough screening of their credentials, including: documentation of experience, judicial and peer references, an exam, and all disciplinary matters must be brought before any official body, whether public or private, for scrutiny by the NBLSC Standards Committee.
Elite Lawyers of America
In addition, Mr. Morrell is a life “Silver” member of Elite Lawyers of America. This membership is limited to those who have recovered more than $2 million on behalf of their clients.”
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate
Mr. Morrell is also a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate. He was so certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). There are less than 2000 attorneys (as of 2004) in the entire country that have been certified in this field by the NBTA. The NBTA is accredited by the ABA to certify lawyers in areas of civil advocacy. The Task Force on Lawyer Competence of the Conference of Chief Justices found: “The National Board of Trial Advocacy provides recognition for superior achievement in trial advocacy, uses a highly-structured examination to select it members and is an arduous process that employs a wide range of assessment methods and entails considerable cost to the candidate.” NBTA is the only national certification program for trial attorneys. It was “established to identify those attorney that have the experience and skill necessary to label themselves specialists.”
Highest AV Rating “Preeminent 5 out of 5″ – Martindale-Hubbell
Martindale Hubbell is the largest nationally recognized 
attorney organization in the country. Each year, for the past 100 years, Martindale Hubbell has rated all of the attorneys in the United States. This is the result of “an extensive, confidential review conducted among the legal profession.” The highest ranking that any attorney can achieve is the AV Preeminent 5 out 5 rating. Mr. Morrell has had the AV rating since 1998. The AV rating is “a reflection of having achieved the highest levels of professional skill and integrity.” One’s level of legal ability is considered to be “very high to preeminent.” The AV rating “signifies that your legal abilities are of the very highest standard and that your professional ethics are unquestioned.”
Best’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys
Best’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys
has also accepted Mr. Morrell as one of their approved attorneys. This was the result of “the completion of a comprehensive application, and the feedback of insurance companies and self insureds familiar with Mr. Morrell, and his firm.”
National Institute of Trial Advocacy
Mr. Morrell has taught and lectured at the prestigious National Institute of Trial Advocacy. This is where attorneys go, or are sent by large law firms, to receive training in trial advocacy.
Lecturer and Instructor
Mr. Morrell has also lectured, and taught other attorneys who are employed by insurance companies, to assist them in becoming better in the field of trial skills, which seminars were sponsored by the California State Bar.
Arbitrator and Mediator for the Orange County Superior, the Los Angeles Superior, and the San Bernardino Superior Courts
Mr. Morrell has been appointed by the Orange County Superior, the Los Angeles Superior, and the San Bernardino Superior Courts to act as an arbitrator and mediator to assist in the resolution of pending lawsuits.
Judge pro tem in the Orange County Superior Court
Rivers J. Morrell III also has served as a judge pro tem in the Orange County Superior Court.
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Elder Abuse Case, Bates vs. Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital
Under certain provisions of the law, located at Welfare and Institutions Code §15657 (often referred to as the Elder Protection Act), a prevailing party in an Elder Abuse case can recover attorney’s fees, and costs. A defendant, however, is not permitted to recover these under this Act.
A recent California Supreme Court case addressed the liability of a school district for the sexual abuse/misconduct allegations against a school counselor in C.A. vs. Hart Union High School District. In this case the plaintiff/student alleged that the school district was liable for the conduct of the counselor.
Personal Injury Newsletter – August 2011
In Howell vs. Hamilton Meats, the Supreme Court held that an injured party could not recover the amount of the medical bills that were billed, only the amount that was paid.
