Prior to attending law school, Rick spent 15 years in the insurance industry as a licensed commercial agent and broker overseeing a 1-million-dollar book of business including general liability, commercial auto, property, and workers' compensation. Clients included contractors, car dealerships, restaurants/bars, long haul truckers and large apartment complexes.

Upon obtaining his JD from Drexel University, he worked as a Claims Examiner at United States Liability Insurance Company handling claims in all 50 states specializing in Employment Practices Liability. He also assisted in the pro bono representation of clients referred by the Pennsylvania AIDS Law Project who were victims of discrimination on multiple fronts based on their HIV status.