Attorney Profile

Chris K. Bijev received his Masters Degree in International Commercial Law (MICL) from the University of California at Davis in 2001, his Faculty of Law (Master of Arts Degree) and J.D. (Juris Doctor) from the St. Kliment Ohridski University at Sofia in Bulgaria, Europe in 1991, and completed a six-month required practical training program at the trial court, the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Sofia, Bulgaria.

During the first six years following graduation from St. Kliment Ohridski University, Mr. Bijev shared a law office with Attorney Doychinov and Attorney Garchev in Sofia, Bulgaria, Europe. He provided civil litigation and corporate representation services for his clients, both individuals and domestic and international corporations such as real estate firms, construction companies, and financial institutions.

In 1999, Mr. Bijev began working for a Criminal Defense Law Firm in Fresno, California, in the United States while preparing to take the California Bar Exam. He drafted trial and appeal documents, made court appearances for the firm, was responsible for developing the legal market, and conducted case research.

In 2000, Mr. Bijev began providing instruction on adjunct basis on the subject of import and export basics at the Fresno Adult School in Fresno, California, which he continues to teach to this day. In addition, Mr. Bijev is also an adjunct faculty member teaching International Law at the San Joaquin College of Law.

In 2003, Mr. Bijev had the opportunity to open his own professional corporation, Hristo K. Bijev, Inc. Here he practices international, immigration, corporate, criminal, and Bulgarian Law. He is a board member of the American Bar Association and a member of the California Bar Association, the Fresno Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Sofia Bar Association, and the Bulgaria Bar Association. He is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and Who's Who.

Mr. Bijev is admitted to practice before all California courts, United States federal courts in California, and Bulgarian courts. Through his admission to practice in Bulgaria, he is eligible to practice before all European Union courts.

Areas of Practice

• Business & Commercial Law
• Business Organizations
• Criminal Law
• DUI/DWI
• Felonies
• Misdemeanor
• Traffic Violations
• White Collar Crimes
• Wills
• Adoption
• Immigration & Naturalization Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Trademarks
• International Law
• Sex Crimes
• Habeas Writs and Appeals

Litigation Percentage

• 50% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Bulgaria, 1992
• California, 2001
• U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2001
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2003

Education

• University of California at Davis School of Law, Davis, California, 2001
  Masters Degree in International Commercial Law
  
  
• Faculty of Law Sofia University, Sofia, , Bulgaria, 1991
  J.D
  
  
• St. Kliment Ohridski University, Sofia, Bulgaria
  Master of Arts Degree
  
  
• Trial Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1992
  6-Month Required Training Program
  
  

Published Works

• "Practical Guidance in Private International Law", Albatros, Bulgaria, Europe, 2004

Classes/Seminars Taught

• Adjunct Professor, International Commerce Law, San Joaquin College of Law, Fresno, California, 2004 - Present
• Import & Export Basics, Fresno Adult School, Fresno, California, 2000 - Present
• Immigration Law & Employer Compliance, Sterling Education Services, 2006 - Present
• International Law Conference, Oxford Round Table, Oxford, England, 2005

Honors and Awards

• "Businessman of the Year," NRCC, 2005
• Oxford Round Table, Oxford, England, Member, 2005 - Present
• "Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century," International Biographical Center, 2000

Professional Associations and Memberships

• California Bar Association, 2001 - Present
  Member
  
  
• Fresno Bar Association, 2001 - Present
  Member
  
  
• American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2002 - Present
  Member
  
  
• International Bar Association, 2003 - Present
  Member
  
  
• Sofia Bar Association, 1992 - Present
  
  
• Bulgarian Bar Association, 1992 - Present
  
  
• ABA, International Law Section, 2002 - Present
  Member
  
  

Past Employment Positions

• Hristo Bijev, Inc., Attorney, 2003 - Present
• Law Firm of David R. Mugridge, Fresno, CA, Attorney, 2003 - 2006
• Law Firm of David R. Mugridge, Fresno, CA, Law Clerk, 1999 - 2003
• Bijev, Doychinov & Garchev, Sofia, Bulgaria, Attorney, 1992 - 1998
• Fresno Superior Court, Fresno, California, Pro Tempore Judicial Officer, 2003 - 2004

Pro Bono Activities

• American Bar Association Board Member, 2007 - Present
• Project First Step, 2006 - Present
• Arbitrator, Fresno Bar Association, 2004 - Present
• "Import & Export Basics," Seminars for Fresno Adult School, Fresno, California, 2000 - Present
• Pro Tempore Judicial Officer, 2003 - 2004

Languages

• English
• French
• Bulgarian
• Spanish
• Russian
• Macedonian