McNicholas & McNicholas

An accident can instantly alter life, turning commuting or errands into medical emergencies. Victims arrive uncertain about injury severity. Many incidents are preventable and result from negligence or failure to ensure safety. Claims involve medical costs, lost income, and hardship, making evaluation complex. Our firm guides clients through process and pursues compensation based on experience.

California has more than 27 million licensed drivers, and Los Angeles is among the most congested cities in the nation. Smartphone use has contributed to a rise in distracted driving collisions and fatalities. We assist individuals injured in crashes caused by negligent drivers. We offer contingency representation, free consultation, and pursue accountability for losses.

We provide representation in wrongful death matters for families seeking justice after tragic loss. A wrongful death can occur unexpectedly and cause profound disruption. Although compensation cannot undo the loss, negligent conduct must be addressed. We recognize the resulting financial hardship and emotional suffering. Our firm pursues full and fair compensation for affected families.

Our firm represents clients injured in crashes involving large commercial trucks. These vehicles dominate California highways and are difficult to maneuver in heavy traffic safely. Despite professional training, drivers may still act negligently, causing devastating accidents. We work to hold responsible parties accountable and secure full and fair compensation for our clients.

Our firm handles employment law claims for employees impacted by workplace labor violations throughout California. Legal protections at the state and federal level ensure employees are entitled to a harassment-free and discrimination-free environment. We advocate for fair compensation, equal treatment, and protection from workplace harm, neglect, or abuse. We are prepared to assist you in determining the appropriate legal steps when your rights are at issue.

We advocate for individuals harmed by the misuse of artificial intelligence technologies. Our firm pursues accountability against companies whose AI systems cause injury or loss. Cases may involve deepfakes, discrimination, privacy breaches, and defective AI applications. We review circumstances, advise on legal rights, and determine potential avenues for recovery.

For those impacted by California wildfires, our public utility disaster lawyers at McNicholas & McNicholas provide dedicated representation. We begin by fully evaluating your situation to understand your needs. Protecting your rights remains our primary objective. We strive to achieve maximum recovery through skilled and experienced legal advocacy.

As Californias most accomplished and fierce advocate for first responders, Partner Matthew McNicholas has built his reputation on one purpose: protecting those who protect us. With more than $150 million in high-impact verdicts and settlements for first responders, Matt has become the go-to attorney for law enforcement officers and firefighters facing discrimination, harassment and retaliation at their agencies. His work extends far beyond the courtroom, driving institutional reform at some of California's most powerful public agencies, including the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department. Matt also serves as Panel Counsel to the Los Angeles Police Protective League and the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City.

Few trial lawyers have Patrick McNicholas' track record when it comes to holding powerful institutions accountable. For more than 30 years, Patrick has represented survivors of institutional sexual abuse, victims of devastating California wildfires and catastrophic disasters, including complex injury and wrongful death matters.

Patrick was a lead attorney who was instrumental in one of the largest municipal settlements in U.S. history, a $4 billion resolution for more than 7,000 survivors of sexual abuse in Los Angeles County juvenile detention centers. Among his other landmark results, Patrick was a steering committee member for a $13.5 billion settlement on behalf of wildfire victims in the largest utility bankruptcy in U.S. history; an $85 million nationwide class action against Mercedes-Benz that exposed a dangerous safety defect; a $44 million settlement for air crash victims; a $41 million consumer fraud settlement, the largest in Orange County; and multimillion-dollar verdicts in cases involving sexual assault, construction injuries, and wrongful death.

Founding Partner John McNicholas has more than five decades of experience representing plaintiffs in the areas of catastrophic personal injury, employment law, class actions, sexual abuse and other consumer-oriented matters. He is a recognized leader with more than 176 jury verdicts and 20 reported appellate decisions in copyright infringement, breach of contract, medical malpractice, pharmaceutical and aviation cases.

Mr. McNicholas has obtained millions in verdicts and settlements. His clients have included the Ronald Isley of the Isley Brothers, the late U.S. Congressman, Andrew J. Hinshaw, Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac, former L.A. Dodger pitcher Carlos Lopez and the late movie mogul King Vidor.