Patrick McNicholas
Partner
With more than 25 years’ experience as a trial lawyer, Partner Patrick McNicholas exclusively represents victims in catastrophic injury, product liability, sexual assault and other consumer-oriented matters, such as civil rights, aviation disasters and class actions.
Mr. McNicholas has tried and settled numerous noteworthy cases, including an $85 million class action settlement for an auto safety defect against Mercedes; $44 million settlement for air crash victims; $41 million class action settlement in a consumer fraud lawsuit (the largest ever in Orange County); $10.8 million jury verdict awarded to a minor molested by a school teacher; $10 million jury verdict to a construction worker who suffered a compound femur fracture; $6 million settlement on behalf of a family for the death of their father while working in an MTA tunnel and many more. He recently secured a $1 million settlement on behalf of a motorcyclist who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident.
Over the last three decades, Mr. McNicholas has authored and lectured on a multitude of topics, including “The Effective Use of Your Expert Witnesses,” “Preparing an Employment Case for Trial” and “Cross-Examination of the Defense Expert.” He serves on the Board of Directors for Urban Compass, an organization he co-founded that works tirelessly to provide a continuum of stability and support through education for kids living in the inner city.
Among his scholarly endeavors, Mr. McNicholas served as Student Body President at his alma mater, University of San Francisco, and was an intern with the White House prior to law school. Mr. McNicholas has also been a guest lecturer at Pepperdine University and has taught Trial Advocacy at Whittier College School of Law.
Daily Journal Top 5 Appellate Reversals of 2019
Daily Journal Top Plaintiff Lawyers
National Law Journal Employment Law Trailblazers
Education
- Juris Doctor: McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento
- Bachelor of Arts: University of San Francisco
- Political Science
Professional Associations & Memberships (Past and Present)
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- University of California Irvine Civil Justice Research Institute, Board of Advisors
- American Association for Justice Leaders Forum, Patron
- American Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Board of Governors
- Board of Directors for Urban Compass, Member/Founder
- Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Member
- Consumer Attorneys of California, Board of Governors
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Board of Trustees
- University of San Francisco, Board of Trustees
- Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities, Honorary Board of Governors
Honors & Awards
- National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers Finalist
- U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”
- The Best Lawyers in America©
- Southern California Super Lawyers
- Southern California Super Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers
- Benchmark Litigation California Litigation Star
- Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment Litigation Star
- Daily Journal Top 5 Appellate Reversals
- Daily Journal Top Plaintiff Lawyers, 2022
- Los Angeles Times Notable Personal Injury Lawyer 2022 List
- The Recorder’s California Trailblazers
- National Law Journal Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Trailblazers
- National Law Journal Employment Law Trailblazers
- National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers Finalist
- National Law Journal Plaintiffs’ Attorney Trailblazers, 2023
In the News
Patrick McNicholas Honored with Jim Brovelli Award for Outstanding Contributions to University of San Francisco Athletics’ Basketball Program
In coordination with University of San Francisco Athletics, the Hilltop Club Foundation has honored Partner Patrick McNicholas with the Jim Brovelli…
[Read More]Patrick McNicholas Named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys 2023 List
Partner Patrick McNicholas was selected to Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys 2023 list in…
[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]