He was a member of the Lawyers' Committee of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). Richard advised a broad range of clients with respect to environmental and regulatory compliance issues and participated in the defense of various environmental claims. His practice also covered related business and real estate matters. Richard has spoken before numerous environmental seminar participants and small groups.
He has been a member of the American, Indiana State and Elkhart County Bar Associations.
Richard attended the University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind., where he received a B.A. in biology in 1968. He received a M.A. in biology (microbiology) at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Ky. He graduated from Valparaiso University Law School with a J.D. in 1974.
Richard worked both in private practice and for municipal government. His former law firm, Church, Nilsson & Paulen merged with Barnes & Thornburg in 1988.