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.

Los Angeles Attorney Matthew McNicholas

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

$300 Million

Class action settlement on behalf of consumers against Epson America, Inc.

$4.3 Million

Jury awards $4.3 million to 23-year LAPD veteran who suffered disability discrimination and retaliation

$3 Million

Judgment against City of Los Angeles for six firefighters who blew the whistle on unsafe LAFD practices

$2.75 Million

Verdict on behalf of a 38-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department for whistleblower retaliation.

$2 Million

Settlement for a woman who was hit by a car and severely injured while visiting the Venice Beach boardwalk.

$1.5 Million

Settlement on behalf of two firefighter recruits who were discriminated, harassed and retaliated against.

$1.4 Million

Settlement on behalf of a Los Angeles Police Department Officer who faced retaliation from her captain.

Education

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

KFI-AM Interviews Matthew McNicholas On Illegal Ticket Quota Lawsuits

April 7, 2020

KFI-AM interviewed Partner Matthew McNicholas on recent lawsuits filed against multiple police departments alleging illegal ticket quota-based retaliation and the…

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KNX Interviews Matthew McNicholas On Lawsuit Alleging City of Los Angeles Knowingly Exposed Its Attorneys to Typhus

April 7, 2020

KNX interviewed Partner Matthew McNicholas on his recent lawsuit filed against the City of Los Angeles after three City Attorneys…

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Matthew McNicholas and Patrick McNicholas Ranked in National Law Journal’s 2020 Employment Law Trailblazers

March 6, 2020

Partners Matthew McNicholas and Patrick McNicholas were selected to National Law Journal’s 2020 Employment Law Trailblazers list for their repeated…

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The Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, CBS News, New York Post and More Report on McNicholas & McNicholas LLP’s Lawsuit Against Delta Air Lines

February 28, 2020

As reported by the Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, CBS News, New York Post, KTLA, FOX 11, KABC, KNX and…

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