Girardi’s Former Clients Recount Regrets, Abused Trust

Thomas Girardi was a famous trial lawyer when he assured devastated clients that he would help them. One such client, Kathy Ruigomez, took the celebrity attorney at his word based on his affectation, and his reputation as illustrated in the film Erin Brockovich.

Law 360 explains that Ruigomez’s son had been badly injured in a gas explosion, and Girardi assured her that the gas company would pay. Ultimately, the family claimed to have learned that while Girardi did win a settlement from PG&E, the money was spent by Girardi himself on personal matters.

Lawsuits now allege that the firm Girardi Keese, and Thomas Girardi himself, have defrauded or stolen from families that were poisoned, earthquake survivors, elderly cancer patients, and a number of widows and orphans. Some say Girardi’s thieving was a not-very-well-kept secret in California’s legal community for many years. Girardi told potential clients that his many successes had led to jealousies and false claims about him. To a large extent, it worked.

Last year, amidst a slew of lawsuits from consumer legal funders who had loaned him money and accused him of failing to repay, Girardi announced that he was broke. This led to an exodus of lawyers and staff from Girardi Keese, as well as a divorce from his reality-star wife, Erika Jayne. Next came a lawsuit from Edelson PC, co-counsel in a spate of cases against Boeing.

Currently, Girardi’s brother has testified that the once-famed lawyer is mentally unfit to assist in his own defense. He’s even claimed that Girardi doesn’t remember where the missing monies went. Indeed, it’s not even clear how much money is missing. An interim trustee has announced that Girardi Keese will remain closed. Girardi has now been sued for fraud more than two dozen times.

Meanwhile, Ruigomez and others like her are left feeling cheated and without protection or recourse. Some are especially galled to know that Girardi’s formal record is unblemished and he even has a Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame award.

Thomas Girardi was a famous trial lawyer when he assured devastated clients that he would help them. One such client, Kathy Ruigomez, took the celebrity attorney at his word based on his affectation, and his reputation as illustrated in the film Erin Brockovich.

Law 360 explains that Ruigomez’s son had been badly injured in a gas explosion, and Girardi assured her that the gas company would pay. Ultimately, the family claimed to have learned that while Girardi did win a settlement from PG&E, the money was spent by Girardi himself on personal matters.

Lawsuits now allege that the firm Girardi Keese, and Thomas Girardi himself, have defrauded or stolen from families that were poisoned, earthquake survivors, elderly cancer patients, and a number of widows and orphans. Some say Girardi’s thieving was a not-very-well-kept secret in California’s legal community for many years. Girardi told potential clients that his many successes had led to jealousies and false claims about him. To a large extent, it worked.

Last year, amidst a slew of lawsuits from consumer legal funders who had loaned him money and accused him of failing to repay, Girardi announced that he was broke. This led to an exodus of lawyers and staff from Girardi Keese, as well as a divorce from his reality-star wife, Erika Jayne. Next came a lawsuit from Edelson PC, co-counsel in a spate of cases against Boeing.

Currently, Girardi’s brother has testified that the once-famed lawyer is mentally unfit to assist in his own defense. He’s even claimed that Girardi doesn’t remember where the missing monies went. Indeed, it’s not even clear how much money is missing. An interim trustee has announced that Girardi Keese will remain closed. Girardi has now been sued for fraud more than two dozen times.

Meanwhile, Ruigomez and others like her are left feeling cheated and without protection or recourse. Some are especially galled to know that Girardi’s formal record is unblemished and he even has a Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame award.