Girardi & Keese
Girardi and Keese or Girardi & Keese is a Los Angeles-based law firm. It was founded in 1965 by lawyers Thomas Girardi and Robert Keese.[1][2] It serves clients in California in a variety of legal areas.[3] It is known for representing plaintiffs against major corporations.[2]
Headquarters | Los Angeles |
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Date founded | 1965 |
Founder | Thomas Girardi, Robert Keese |
Website | girardikeese |
Anderson, et al. v. Pacific Gas & Electric
One of the firm's best known cases was against Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). Residents of the desert community Hinkley, California blamed incidents of cancer and other diseases on contaminated water leaked from a gas pumping station owned and operated by PG&E.[4] The utility company agreed to pay $460 million to 650 residents.[4] This case was the inspiration for the film Erin Brockovich (2000) starring Julia Roberts. “That particular case revolutionized people’s thinking about all the toxic things they are exposed to,” Girardi told Attorney at Law magazine.[5]
In 2019, PG&E counter-sued the Law Finance Group, which sued partner Thomas Girardi for funds that were borrowed on behalf of clients. The litigation funder's lawyer said the loan agreement states the loan was to Girardi and his firm.[6]
Chapter 7 bankruptcy
No one from the firm, including Girardi, appeared before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Barry Russell at the first bankruptcy hearing, in January 2021, "discuss the future of his personal assets and those of his Los Angeles firm, Girardi Keese" for two Chapter 7 involuntary bankruptcy petitions filed in December 2020.[7]
References
- "Girardi Keese - Firm Overview". bestlawfirms.usnews.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
- "Girardi and Keese". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
- "Girardi & Keese - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
- Lack, Walter (January 4, 1994). "Erin Brockovich, Famous Trials". lawbuzz.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2000.
- "Attorney of the Month Tom Girardi | Attorney at Law Magazine Downtown L.A. – Attorney at Law Magazine Downtown L.A." www.attorneyatlawmagazine.com. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
- Todd, Ross (January 24, 2019). "Girardi Keese Partner Bucks Back Against Alleged $15M Debt to 'Miserable, Rotten' Litigation Funder". The Recorder.
- "At 1st Bankruptcy Hearing, Embattled Attorney Tom Girardi Is a No-Show", by Amanda Bronstad, The Recorder, January 5, 2020.