Lance Curtis

Atty. Curtis represented insurance companies for 13 years. After seeing the abuses of the insurance industry, he became dissatisfied. He wanted to help people and see the hard work he put in actually make a difference. Now defending the “little guy” against the powerful insurance companies, his experience gives him a great advantage anticipating the defenses that are going to be raised, and preparing his client’s case accordingly.

Born in Hemet, California in 1970, Mr. Curtis attended Sonoma State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1992. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1998 after earning his Juris Doctorate from the Lincoln Law School of Sacramento.

Atty. Curtis is a member of the State Bar of California, Consumer Attorneys of California and Capital City Trial Lawyers Association, and is admitted to practice in the state courts of California and the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California.

In 1996 and 1997, while attending law school, Lance worked for both the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office conducting several court and jury trials, as a District Attorney representative. In addition, he worked a six month internship in the State Attorney General’s office in the licensing division, assisting in the filing and prosecuting various licensed professionals for misconduct through the Department of Consumer Affairs.

In 1998, Lance went to work for the firm of McDonald, Saeltzer, Morris, Creegan and Waddock, a well respected civil insurance defense firm in Sacramento. While there, he defended a variety of claims including construction defect, homeowner, trucking, and auto.

In 2000, he accepted an offer to work as staff counsel for California Casualty Insurance Company in Sacramento as a trial attorney. During the next 10 years, Lance defended primarily auto and homeowner claims all over Northern and Central California, conducting jury trials from Lassen to Fresno and Humboldt Counties. In those 10 years, Lance learned a tremendous amount of knowledge as to how insurance companies evaluate claims, handle potential loss exposure, and insurance protocol for minimizing settlements.

In 2011, when Lance began a new chapter of his legal career representing injured parties and consumers at the Arnold Law Firm, his insurance defense background proved to be invaluable as to anticipating the actions and strategies of insurance company litigation adjustors and defense attorneys. Between 2011 and 2013, Lance tried several cases to verdict, including the trial of Nixon v. Snoke, with partner Kirk Wolden, which resulted in one of the largest personal injury awards in Stanislaus County at over $7.2 million in a vigorously contested liability case.

During his time at Arnold Law Firm, Lance met Cliff Carter and Kirk Wolden with whom he shared similar ideas and philosophies about handling personal injury cases. The firm of Carter Wolden Curtis, LLP was then formed in March of 2013 with a practice focusing on class action, mass torts, personal injury and medical mal practice cases.

Lance is currently serving on the board of the Capital City Trial Lawyers and is a member of the Consumer Attorneys of California. He is admitted to practice in all state courts,and is admitted to practice in Federal Court for the Eastern District of California.

Lance also believes in staying involved in his community and giving back his time. In 2010, Lance founded the Friends of Wilton Youth and was the group’s president for two years. Friends of Wilton Youth is a local organization in his community which raises funds for youth groups, extracurricular clubs and teams needing financial assistance.

In his off time, Lance enjoys spending time with his two daughters traveling, playing golf and the outdoors.