Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek: San Diego Law Firm

Ricardo Arias

Associate

Practice Groups

Representative Matters

Representation of:

Sitting Congressman in criminal investigation and prosecution in the Southern District of California
Cross-Border entity in successful significant reduction of post-trial damages award
Various individuals successfully in forfeiture actions against the U.S. Government resulting in thousands of dollars returned after being seized at the US/Mexico border
Multinational corporation in tech industry as local counsel in False Claims Act/Qui Tam action led to dismissal of charges
Former employees in False Claims Act/Qui Tam action by the government against multinational corporation in health care industry
Employees in a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation into conduct by a U.S. company in Latin America
Former director of major retailer in Mexico in a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation
Individual in defense of civil harassment action led to dismissal with prejudice

Served on Legal Team:

Involved in high-profile extradition from Mexico to the United States
Defended business executive during federal trial against charges of criminal copyright infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Defended foreign business executive indicted by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California related to the “Fat Leonard” U.S. Navy bribery scandal
Defended former shareholders in litigation involving a Mexican land corporation located in Jalisco, Mexico
Defended local business against claims by multinational corporation alleging violations of the Lanham Act
Defended local businessman against allegations of violations under the Lacy Act

Education

Mr. Arias earned his law degree from California Western School of Law, where he was a member of the Pro Bono Honors Society, Moot Court Honors Board, and finalist in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C. He also holds a bachelor's degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University. While at SDSU, Mr. Arias studied abroad at the European School of Economics in London and Rome, earning a Certificate in International Finance.

Employment Background

Prior to joining SCMV as an associate, Mr. Arias served as a law clerk for Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. and as a certified legal intern for the San Diego County Public Defender's Office. He also worked as a law clerk for the Florida Immigration Advocacy Center in Miami, Florida. In 2013, Mr. Arias joined the Litigation team at SCMV, first as a paralegal and then as a law clerk.

Professional Affiliations & Admissions

State Bar of California
United States District Court for the Southern District of California
United States District Court for the Central District of California
United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
San Diego County Bar Association
Association of Business Trial Lawyers
U.S.-Mexico Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
American Inns of Court (Hon. William B. Enright Inn), Associate

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Mexico’s New Anti-Corruption Laws, California International Law Journal of the California Lawyers Association Vol. 27, No. 1, Summer 2019

Professional Awards & Honors

San Diego Super Lawyers Rising Star (2020-2022) (fewer than 2.5 percent of eligible attorneys receive this honor)

Languages

Mr. Arias is fluent in spoken and written Spanish, and has reviewed and analyzed Spanish-language legal documents in connection with his representation of clients.