Patrick McNicholas

Personal Injury & Employment Law & Class Action

As a trial lawyer focusing on catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death and consumer class actions, Patrick McNicholas has achieved more than $1 billion in resolutions for his clients within the last two years, according to his firm.

“What I enjoy more than anything is being in trial,” said McNicholas, a partner in the Los Angeles law firm McNicholas & McNicholas LLP. “Trial work is in our DNA. It’s what everything flows through.”

McNicholas said it’s particularly gratifying when his legal work leads to greater accountability and systematic changes. For instance, he’s been involved in numerous lawsuits against Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. that have forced the utilities to make changes that could prevent future wildfires.

One example: As a result of a complaint filed by McNicholas in San Francisco on behalf of 3,000 victims of the 2021 Dixie Fire, PG&E will spend more than $15 billion putting 10,000 miles of its power lines underground to reduce wildfire risks. Price et al. v. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. et al. CGC-21-597072. (S. F. Sup. Ct., filed Dec. 10, 2021).

“It’s a significant investment, but it’s still cheaper than setting the fifth largest economy in the world on fire every year,” McNicholas said. “The bottom line is that this is to the benefit of all the citizens, the environment and the economy of California.”

McNicholas has also represented thousands of retail employees in eight class actions seeking payment for time spent being on call. In a lawsuit against clothing retailer Tilly’s, the court decided that on-call employees are protected by a 1943 California Industrial Welfare Commission wage order.

While the Tilly’s case has been remanded to the lower court for further proceedings, McNicholas said these lawsuits are already making an impact. Six major retailers have reportedly decided to end their on-call scheduling practices.

McNicholas’ influence is also evident in professional circles. He’s a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a board member of the Civil Justice Research Initiative at UC Berkeley School of Law.

– Jennifer McEntee