Matthew S. McNicholas
Partner
As one of the leading trial lawyers in California, Partner Matthew McNicholas represents victims in a range of areas, including catastrophic injury, wrongful death, employment law, product liability, sexual assault and other consumer-oriented matters, such as civil rights and aviation disasters.
As Panel Counsel to the Los Angeles Police Protective League and the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Mr. McNicholas also has an emphasis in representing police officers and firefighters in whistleblower-employment actions against their departments. He has recovered more than $150 million over his career on their behalf in cases involving racial and sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation, and wrongful termination.
His skill set goes well beyond the courtroom, having established the Loyola Law School Trial Advocacy Scholarship, which provides high-achieving law students the opportunity to receive both tuition assistance and a full-time, paid position at McNicholas & McNicholas as a summer scholar.
Mr. McNicholas is also a contributor to many other charities within the community, including Urban Compass, which provides educational services to underprivileged children; the Serra Project, which offers housing and support to people living with HIV/AIDS; the Library Foundation of Los Angeles; and AbilityFirst, which provides services to children and adults with disabilities.
American College of Trial Lawyers
American Board of Trial Advocates
Panel Counsel to L.A. Police Protective League and United Firefighters of L.A.City
Education
- Juris Doctor: Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
- Bachelor of Arts: University of California, Los Angeles
- Graduated with honors
- Loyola High School
Professional Associations & Memberships
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Board Member
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Board Member
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Board Member
- American Association for Justice, Leaders Forum Member
- American College Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Member
- Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Member
- Consumer Attorneys of California, Member
- Los Angeles Police Protective League, Panel Counsel
Honors & Awards
- National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers Finalist
- U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”
- Best Lawyers in America©
- Best Lawyers in America© Lawyer of the Year
- National Law Journal Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Trailblazers
- National Law Journal Employment Law Trailblazers, 2022
- National Law Journal Plaintiffs’ Attorney Trailblazers, 2023
- National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers Finalist
- LABJ Leaders in Law Finalist
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyer
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America
- Daily Journal Top Verdicts by Impact, 2022
- Daily Journal Top Plaintiff Lawyers, 2022
- Daily Journal Top Labor & Employment Lawyers, 2022
- Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyers
- Daily Journal 20 Under 40
- Los Angeles Business Journal Top 100 Lawyers 2022
- The Recorder’s 2020 California Trailblazers
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Top 50 Verdict in California, 2022
- Southern California Super Lawyers
- Southern California Super Lawyers Top 100
- Benchmark Litigation California Litigation Star
- Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment Litigation Star
In the News
Daily Journal Interviews Matthew McNicholas on Impact of O.J. Simpson Criminal Trial in Court Proceedings
The O.J. Simpson murder case stands out as one of the first high-profile trials to grant the public unprecedented access…
[Read More]Matthew McNicholas Inducted Into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Partner Matthew McNicholas has been inducted as a Fellow into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL), recognized as the…
[Read More]Matthew McNicholas and Patrick McNicholas Named Among Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers 2022 List
Partners Matthew McNicholas and Patrick McNicholas were selected for inclusion on Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers…
[Read More]Matthew McNicholas and Patrick McNicholas Named on Daily Journal’s 2022 Top Plaintiff Lawyers List
Partners Matthew McNicholas and Patrick McNicholas were selected on Daily Journal’s 2022 Top Plaintiff Lawyers for their record-breaking verdicts and…
[Read More]