Thomas V. "Tom" Girardi

PROFILE

Widely regarded by his peers as one of the nation's top trial lawyers and with nearly fifty years of experience representing victims, Thomas V. Girardi has obtained numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, handling claims involving wrongful death, commercial litigation, products liability, bad faith insurance, and toxic torts. In 2003, he received the most prestigious honor of being inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame by the California State Bar. Mr. Girardi is a Member of the Board of Directors and former President of the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only worldwide organization, limited to 500 trial lawyers. Mr. Girardi is also the first trial lawyer to be appointed to the California Judicial Council , the policymaking body of the state courts.

VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS:

Mr. Girardi has obtained more than 30 verdicts of $1 million or more and has handled more than 100 settlements of $1 million or more. He has tried more than 100 jury cases, winning the first California medical malpractice verdict of $1 million or more, back in the 1970s.

Settlement, $4.85 billion – with pharmaceutical giant Merck for personal injuries to consumers of the drug Vioxx.

In Re Vioxx Coordinated Cases, JCCP Case No. 4247

Settlement, $1.9 billion – for California consumers were defrauded by the manipulation of natural gas prices.

Natural Gas Antitrust Cases, JCCP Case Nos. 4221, 4224, 4226, 4228

Settlement, $1.7 billion – for California consumers were defrauded by the manipulation of natural gas prices.

State of California v. El Paso Gas

Verdict, $785 million – for Toxic Tort personal injuries suffered by employees in Lockheed's Skunkworks facilities

Arnold v. Ashland Chemical Co. JCCP No. 2967

Settlement, $333 million – for 650 residents of Hinkley, California in the toxic tort case made famous by the film Erin Brokovich.

Anderson v. Pacific Gas & Electric, BCV00822.

Settlement, $300 million – for second group of toxic tort cases brought by the residents of Hinkley against PG&E.

Citizens of Hinkley v. Pacific Gas & Electric

Settlement, $200 million, bad faith insurance lawsuit against Farmers Insurance for homeowners whose property was damaged in the Northridge Earthquake

In Re Northridge Earthquake Cases

Settlement, $68 million, with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer for personal injuries to consumers of the drug Rezulin.

In Re Rezulin Cases, LASC Case BC 304262

Verdict, $45.5 Million – against Ford Motor Company for defective seatbelt which caused 6 year old child to become paralyzed.

Karlsson v. Ford Motor Company, LASC Case PC 0019980

Areas of Practice

Bar Admissions

California, 1964
U.S. Federal Courts, 1965

Education

New York University School of Law
L.L.M. - 1965
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
J.D. - 1964
Honors: "Distinguished Alumnus Award" - 1997
Loyola Marymount University
B.A. - 1961
Honors: Outstanding Professional Achievement Award - 1992

Honors and Awards

"AV" Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell (Martindale.com’s Highest Rating)
Best Lawyers publication, "Best Lawyers in America", 1987 - Present
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Top 100 Lawyers in California", 2008 - Present
Los Angeles Magazine, "Southern California Super Lawyer", Highest Vote-Getter in California, 2004 - 2008
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Top 100: California's Leading Lawyers", 2007
Best Lawyers, "The Los Angeles Area's Best Lawyers", 2006
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Top 100: California's Leading Lawyers", 2006
Loyola Law School, "Champion of Justice", 2005
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Ted Horn Memorial Award, 2004
California State Bar, Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, 2003
Lawyers for Public Justice, "Trial Lawyer of the Year", 1996
American Board of Trial Advocates, "Cal-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year", 1996
Los Angeles Trial Lawyers, "Trial Lawyer of the Year", 1995 - 1996

Professional Associations and Memberships

California Judicial Council, Member, 2005 - Present
International Academy of Trial Lawyers, President, 2005
International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Board of Directors
American Board of Trial Advocates, President, 1999
Loyola Law School, Associate Professor, 1976 - Present
Inner Circle of Advocates, Member
American Board of Professional Liability Lawyers
International Society of Barristers
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angele
Consumer Attorneys of California
TOP 10 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUPER LAWYERS, 2010 - Present

See Library Tab for articles, publications and presentations
by Tom Girardi

LIBRARY

Lawdragon News

Articles

Published Works

"The baron of billions slams home record verdicts and settlements..." , Lawdragon Magazine, 2007
"This Powerbroker Moves Legal Mountains . . .", Lawdragon Magazine, October, 2006
"No defendant can intimidate this hero of the plaintiffs' bar . . .", Lawdragon Magazine, March, 2006
"The leading trial lawyer in America today . . .", Lawdragon Magazine, 2005
"Making Rain in the Golden State", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2005
"Tom Girardi Named to Judicial Council"., Metropolitan News Enterprise, 2005
"Two Attorneys Join State Judicial Council", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2005
"Girardi Honored by his Peers", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2005
"Girardi Gives $1 Million to Loyola High School" , Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2004
"Top 100 Taking the Moment and Making it Matter", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2004
"Top Verdicts of 2003", The National Law Journal, 2004
"State's Most Influential Lawyers", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2003
"Class Action Demands Ford Recalls", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2003
"Jury Awards $45 Million to Boy Paralyzed in Minivan Accident", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2003
"Paraplegic Boy Awarded $45 Million", Los Angeles Daily News, 2003
"$45 Million in Lap Belt Suit", The National Law Journal, 2003
"Winning Hall of Fame", The National Law Journal, 2003
"Top 100", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2002
"See You in Dallas!", Texas Bar Journal, 2002
"The Top 100", California Law Business, 1999
"Payback", California Law Business, 1999
Verdicts, The National Law Journal, 1999
"Top 50 Trial Attorneys", Los Angeles Business Journal, 1999
"The Firm", New Times Los Angeles, 1998
Feature, The National Law Journal, 1998
"The Top 100", California Law Business, 1998
"On a Roll", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 1998
"Technology Captured Star Role in Entertainment Law", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 1996
"Dead Man Suing", California Law Business, 1996

PUBLICATIONS/MEDIA:

"Champions of Justice" radio show on KRLA 870 AM in Southern California (2006 - present)
- Host of radio show that discusses relevant legal issues facing Americans today.
Lawdragon Magazine, "The baron of billions slams home record verdicts and settlements . . ." – 2007.
Lawdragon Magazine, "This powerbroker moves legal mountains . . ." – October 2006.
Lawdragon Magazine, "No defendant can intimidate this hero of the plaintiffs' bar . . ." – March 2006.
Lawdragon Magazine, "The leading trial lawyer in America today . . ." – 2005.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Making Rain in the Golden State" – 2005.
Metropolitan News Enterprise, "Tom Girardi Named to Judicial Council" – 2005.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Two Attorneys Join State Judicial Council" – 2005.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Girardi Honored by his Peers" – 2005.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Girardi Gives $1 Million to Loyola High School" – 2004.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Top 100 Taking the Moment and Making it Matter" – 2004.
The National Law Journal, "Top Verdicts of 2003" – 2004.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "State's Most Influential Lawyers" – 2003.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Class Action Demands Ford Recalls" – 2003.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Jury Awards $45 Million to Boy Paralyzed in Minivan Accident" – 2003.
Los Angeles Daily News, "Paraplegic Boy Awarded $45 Million" – 2003.
The National Law Journal, "$45 Million in Lap Belt Suit" – 2003.
The National Law Journal, "Winning Hall of Fame" – 2003.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Top 100" – 2002.
Texas Bar Journal, "See You in Dallas!" – 2002.
California Law Business, "The Top 100" – 1999.
California Law Business, "Payback" – 1999.
The National Law Journal, Verdicts – 1999.
Los Angeles Business Journal, "Top 50 Trial Attorneys" – 1999.
New Times Los Angeles, "The Firm" – 1998.
The National Law Journal, Feature – 1998.
California Law Business, "The Top 100" – 1998.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "On a Roll" – 1998.
Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Technology Captured Star Role in Entertainment Law" – 1996.
California Law Business, "Dead Man Suing" – 1996.

Champions of Justice Radio Show

Listen to audio clips of the weekly "Champions of Justice Radio Show" hosted by Thomas V. Girardi, discussing legal issues facing Americans today with special guests in the legal and political fields

Q&A

LOCATION

EDITORIAL REVIEW

This storied plaintiffs’ lawyer is busier than ever as the lead lawyer on the NFL concussion litigation and on claims against the Los Angeles Dodgers over the beating of a Giants fan, all while securing massive settlements for those injured by Avandia and other bad drugs.

—2011 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America

Billions and billions served. That’s what Girardi brings home for clients each year, most recently against Farmers Group and Zurich Insurance, which agreed to pay $455M to settle claims they overcharged 13M policyholders. Next up, Erin Brockovich II, in which he is pursuing Shell and Dole Food for a polluted Carson neighborhood.

—2009-2010 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America

This king of the courtroom has transcended billion dollar settlements with work securing a strong and independent judiciary.

—2008 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America

The chairman of the nation's plaintiffs’ lawyers does it all - from the $4.85B Vioxx settlement to millions for individuals injured in accidents.

— Lawdragon, January 2008

The baron of billions slams home record verdicts and settlements against Lockheed, Sempra and others year after year after year.

— Lawdragon, February 2007

This powerbroker moves legal mountains, winning billions from corporate wrongdoers while protecting judicial independence.

— Lawdragon, October 2006

No defendant can intimidate this hero of the plaintiffs' bar and king of toxic torts.

— Lawdragon, March 2006

The leading trial lawyer in America today - in court and behind the scenes.

His peers call Thomas Girardi the "king of toxic torts in America" and the "best active trial lawyer today." Taking the cases of individuals or businesses that have been harmed in some way, Girardi has gone up against Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Unocal, Shell, Exxon, Dupont and Farmers Insurance in personal injury lawsuits and class actions. Girardi "has cases in all 50 states," and filmmakers immortalized his work in the 2000 film "Erin Brockovich." With an impressive track record of winning big verdicts and settlements for his clients, it's no wonder Girardi is on "top of everybody's list." This attorney is a member of the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

— Lawdragon, October 2005

VISITOR RATINGS (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

ANONYMOUS

Relationship : other - Professional contacts ( Plaintiff's work )

Service : 10

Expertise : 10

Quality : 10

Overall : 10

Recommend? : yes

Rates/Fees : Unknown

Comments: Nobody better when it comes to plaintiff's attorneys. This man and his firm can do it all, and they always do. Some of the largest verdicts ever have come as a result of this lawyer's skill with a jury. When you need the best, this is the man to call.

Contact Lawdragon about the information in this review.

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