Meet the Los Angeles Litigators
of McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP

Matthew McNicholas

Partner

As California’s 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.

Among his many significant verdicts and active cases, Matt secured a $13.1 million verdict on behalf of two LAPD officers who were discriminated and retaliated against; obtained a $10.1 million verdict against the LAPD on behalf of a Lieutenant who was retaliated and discriminated against when a new Deputy Chief became her supervisor; and currently represents more than 300 L.A. County Probation employees in a mass failure-to-accommodate action; and over 600 undercover LAPD officers whose identities were wrongfully leaked online, endangering their safety and careers.

As the head of McNicholas & McNicholas, Matt represents clients in a range of areas, including catastrophic injury, wrongful death, employment law, product liability, sexual assault and other consumer-oriented matters. The firm has been behind some of the state’s most significant matters, including the historic $4 billion settlement between Los Angeles County and 7,000+ victims of sexual abuse at county-run juvenile detention centers and the $13.5 billion settlement with PG&E for wildfire victims.

Patrick McNicholas

Partner

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.

As a recognized authority in wildfire litigation, Patrick has led McNicholas & McNicholas in representing thousands of families and businesses affected by utility-caused fires. Under his direction, the firm has recovered more than $14 billion for fire victims and continues to play a central role in holding utilities responsible for widespread damage. As a result of his historic settlement with PG&E for the Butte, North Bay and Camp/Paradise fires, PG&E agreed to bury 10,000 miles of power lines to reduce wildfire risk. Patrick was involved in the leadership for the Eaton Fire litigation against Southern California Edison, representing more victims than any other law firm.

John P. McNicholas

Partner

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.

Among his many notable contributions to the legal community, Mr. McNicholas is a frequent lecturer and panelist on litigation procedure, evidence and related trial subjects for programs sponsored by the State Bar of California, the Los Angeles County Bar Association and other trial bar associations.

He also served as Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at Loyola Law School, where he received the prestigious Board of Governor’s Award for outstanding contributions to society, the practice of law and service to the school. In 2009, he received honorary membership in Loyola Law School’s chapter of the Order of the Coif, a national legal honor society.