Girardi & Keese

Girardi and Keese or Girardi & Keese was a Los Angeles-based law firm. It was founded in 1965 by lawyers Thomas Girardi and Robert Keese.[1][2] It served clients in California in a variety of legal areas.[3] It was known for representing plaintiffs against major corporations.[2] Chapter 7 Bankruptcy petitions were filed by creditors against the firm in December 2020 and it was defunct by January 2021.

Girardi & Keese
HeadquartersLos Angeles
Date founded1965
FounderThomas Girardi, Robert Keese
DissolvedJanuary 2021
WebsiteGirardi & Keese at the Wayback Machine (archived December 3, 2020)

Anderson, et al. v. Pacific Gas & Electric
Main article: Hinkley groundwater contamination

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.

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.[5]

Chapter 7 bankruptcy

Two Chapter 7 involuntary bankruptcy petitions were filed in December 2020, and no one from the firm, including Girardi, appeared before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Barry Russell at the first bankruptcy hearing in January 2021 to "discuss the future of his personal assets and those of his Los Angeles firm, Girardi Keese."[6] In April 2021, it was announced that Tom Girardi's law office will be sold.[7]

References
  1. "Girardi Keese - Firm Overview". bestlawfirms.usnews.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  2. "Girardi and Keese". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  3. "Girardi & Keese - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  4. Lack, Walter (January 4, 1994). "Erin Brockovich, Famous Trials". lawbuzz.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2000.
  5. Todd, Ross (January 24, 2019). "Girardi Keese Partner Bucks Back Against Alleged $15M Debt to 'Miserable, Rotten' Litigation Funder". The Recorder.
  6. "At 1st Bankruptcy Hearing, Embattled Attorney Tom Girardi Is a No-Show", by Amanda Bronstad, The Recorder, January 5, 2021.
  7. “ Tom Girardi's Law Office Will Be Sold Soon, as His Home Goes on the Market, Trustee Tells Court”, by Amanda Bronstad, The Recorder, April 27, 2021.


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