Fighting For the Injured and Those Who Serve
As a Los Angeles-based trial law firm, we dedicate our practice to advocating for individuals harmed by negligence and wrongdoing. Since 1993, we have recovered over $3 billion on behalf of our clients, supported by more than three decades of litigation experience. Our attorneys have earned repeated recognition from respected legal publications and organizations, reflecting a sustained record of excellence in trial advocacy and case outcomes. We approach each matter with a focus on precision, preparation, and effective representation.Our firm provides legal assistance to first responders and victims of wildfires across California, including representation for law enforcement and firefighters experiencing workplace discrimination and retaliation. We also handle wildfire-related claims involving property damage, financial loss, and personal injury, addressing issues of liability, insurance disputes, and filing deadlines. In addition, we maintain a broad practice covering personal injury, employment disputes, product liability, motor vehicle accidents, and other complex litigation matters requiring experienced trial counsel.
Served areas
- Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Oakland, California
Business details
- Year established: 1993
- Licensed
- Insured
Highlights and features
- Trusted Los Angeles trial lawyers with proven results legacy
- Over three billion dollars recovered for clients since 1993
- Representation for first responders and California wildfire victims
- Experienced in personal injury employment and product liability cases
- Recognized by major legal publications and organizations nationwide
- Decades of trial experience and hundreds of jury verdicts
Services
We represent individuals pursuing personal injury claims after harm caused by negligence. Such incidents often occur unexpectedly and require immediate medical care. Recoverable damages may include medical costs, lost income, and losses. Establishing a claim requires proof of negligence, duty, breach, damages. Our firm evaluates cases and provides representation to pursue compensation. 
With California exceeding 27 million licensed drivers, Los Angeles remains one of the most congested urban centers. Smartphone-related distraction continues to drive up the number of serious collisions and fatalities. Our firm represents clients injured in accidents caused by negligent motorists. We provide contingency-based representation, free consultation, and accountability for responsible parties. 
Wrongful death cases involve sudden loss that deeply impacts families. We assist California families in pursuing justice for negligence-related deaths. While damages cannot restore life, accountability remains essential. Families often face unexpected financial burdens and emotional distress. Our attorneys work to obtain the maximum compensation possible. 
Our legal team provides representation for victims of commercial truck accidents throughout California. We recognize that large trucks, including 18-wheelers and tankers, present significant hazards on highways and busy freeways. Even experienced truck drivers can commit errors that result in serious crashes. We pursue justice and compensation for those who suffer injuries and losses accordingly. 
Our firm provides employment law representation for employees confronting workplace labor violations across California. Federal and state laws safeguard your right to a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to protecting individuals from unfair treatment based on race, color, religion, gender, orientation, disability, or age. We are prepared to discuss your legal options if you believe your rights have been violated. 
Artificial intelligence misuse can lead to serious physical, financial, and emotional harm. We represent clients seeking accountability from companies that design and deploy AI systems. Claims may arise from deepfakes, discriminatory algorithms, data misuse, and technology failures. Our team evaluates each matter and helps determine whether legal action is appropriate. 
Victims of California wildfires may seek support from our public utility disaster legal team at McNicholas & McNicholas. We take time to understand the details of each case and ensure that your rights are preserved. Our attorneys deliver experienced guidance throughout the legal process. We work to maximize your potential recovery.
People
Matthew McNicholas
Partner
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reviews (12)
Andrew Kiplinger
Jun 02, 2026
I have never been so happy with how I was treated from this law firm. From the start they have treated me and others I know like family. No words can express my gratitude I have for this company. Thank you for giving peace and support to the fire victims. You guys are great. Thank you again from me and my family
Starkeisha Stubblefield
May 19, 2026
I usually don’t do reviews but I was gladly to give this law firm a review they were the most helpful respectful law firm that I know so far they help me every step away and really was their when I needed them don’t hesitate to go threw them u will be satisfied with them I appreciate them so much they hard workers and they go above and beyond for there clients thank you guys so much I wish I can give them a 10 star cause they deserved it thank you Chloe u are the best and sooo sweet …. Antonio Guzman Thank you so much for listening and being a great person and understanding me
Amber Young Majesty
Sep 28, 2025
From start to finish, my experience with this law firm has made me feel supported & guided by people who have my best interests at heart & hold themselves to high standards in morality, genuinely campaigning for their clients without descending to avaricious tricks of the trade (as one might expect from lawyers pursuing financial compensation for hardships & damages suffered by circumstantial victims).
They stood by me & regularly prompted me to follow thru with this process - for my portion in fund distribution, however nominal it might seem by contrast with some whose costs & losses were more immediate, concrete, & easily assessed financially - when I, having never done anything like this previously, have counseled myself that I was merely completing what had been initiated by my Husband, who died less than a year after that fire (& the consequent evacuation) turned our property (& life together) into disarray & dishevelment from which we have not yet recovered...
I have requested financial compensation for neither the physical upheaval our household underwent, nor the subsequent bodily loss of my Husband (despite prolonged exposure to unhealthy air being an obvious contributing factor in respiratory failure).
There were so many factors influencing our life together, I don't think it would be feasible to calculate proportionately..
And money would, at best, be an inadequate consolation vis-à-vis compensation for the loss of our future together there, however we had imagined or expected it could or would be, subjectively...down the road not taken because we took a detour on account of that fire...
We were more fortunate than most to have friends who personally insisted that we evacuate & accommodated our cats as well as us...
No doubt all clients of McNichols & McNichols find them commendable for their attentiveness & availability - I only just discovered that 24-hour service is actually advertised! - the greatest provision by McNichols & McNichols, in my case, was the patience & courteous consideration both lawyers (Samantha & Antonio) assigned to me have extended (by turns) as sympathetic sounding boards while I have reasoned thru this situation (mostly in catharsis about my Husband) for more than 2 years. They have diligently stood by me, endured my emotional extremes, & guided me thru their official process (paralleling my personal one) with perseverance, kindness, & trustworthiness.
They stood by me & regularly prompted me to follow thru with this process - for my portion in fund distribution, however nominal it might seem by contrast with some whose costs & losses were more immediate, concrete, & easily assessed financially - when I, having never done anything like this previously, have counseled myself that I was merely completing what had been initiated by my Husband, who died less than a year after that fire (& the consequent evacuation) turned our property (& life together) into disarray & dishevelment from which we have not yet recovered...
I have requested financial compensation for neither the physical upheaval our household underwent, nor the subsequent bodily loss of my Husband (despite prolonged exposure to unhealthy air being an obvious contributing factor in respiratory failure).
There were so many factors influencing our life together, I don't think it would be feasible to calculate proportionately..
And money would, at best, be an inadequate consolation vis-à-vis compensation for the loss of our future together there, however we had imagined or expected it could or would be, subjectively...down the road not taken because we took a detour on account of that fire...
We were more fortunate than most to have friends who personally insisted that we evacuate & accommodated our cats as well as us...
No doubt all clients of McNichols & McNichols find them commendable for their attentiveness & availability - I only just discovered that 24-hour service is actually advertised! - the greatest provision by McNichols & McNichols, in my case, was the patience & courteous consideration both lawyers (Samantha & Antonio) assigned to me have extended (by turns) as sympathetic sounding boards while I have reasoned thru this situation (mostly in catharsis about my Husband) for more than 2 years. They have diligently stood by me, endured my emotional extremes, & guided me thru their official process (paralleling my personal one) with perseverance, kindness, & trustworthiness.
Cyndi Romualdo
Aug 03, 2025
King Kong
Jul 29, 2025
This is the best law firm in the world, Thay are respectful , trustworthy and always there to help you with anything thay can. So please don’t be afraid to talk to them, Thay will make sure your voice is heard and share the pain with you….
Love U guys….
And thank,You all for Fighting For Me, Making sure my voice is heard…..😔😔😔
H.G ……….
Love U guys….
And thank,You all for Fighting For Me, Making sure my voice is heard…..😔😔😔
H.G ……….
Ayeethats Bz
Jul 23, 2025
Marcos Martinez
Jul 19, 2025
Tucker Vernon
Jun 30, 2025
Leatrice Parks
Mar 11, 2025
S. B.
Feb 16, 2025
Kendal Clark
Nov 20, 2024
Stacey Vince
Mar 30, 2023
I highly recommend McNicholas & McNicholas. I suffered years of discrimination and retaliation at a large law enforcement agency. Matt McNicholas and Doug Winter were my attorneys and helped me through every step of the litigation process. It was a long and arduous process, as it is any time the "little guy" stands up to a large bureaucracy, but Matt and Doug were there every step of the way to fight for my rights. In the end, they were able to effectively present my case in court and secured a large verdict in my favor. If you are out there wondering who should be your voice against injustice, look no further. McNicholas & McNicholas will doggedly represent you and support you through every step in the process with integrity and compassion.