Insight

We Are Women, We Are Fearless

Athea Trial Lawyers is a female owned and operated law firm specializing in civil litigation, catastrophic energy, wrongful death and product liability.

Athea Trial Law Female Leadership and Success
Deborah S. Chang

Deborah S. Chang and Justin Smulison

June 3, 2022 06:00 AM

Athea Trial Lawyers is comprised of nationally recognized and successful female attorneys who joined forces in 2022. They combine their courtroom skills with their legal knowledge and also aspire to empower women in the profession.

Athea Trial Lawyers Logo Inline

The firm’s six founders—Charla Aldous, Randi McGinn, Bibi Fell, Lisa Blue, Zoe Littlepage and Deborah Chang—are among some of the country’s most prominent trial lawyers. They have secured record-breaking victories throughout the U.S. in all areas of catastrophic injury, including brain and birth, as well as sexual assault, truck accidents, premises liability, wrongful death and others. Headquartered in Southern California, one of the criteria for the partners of Athea Trial Lawyers is for each attorney to own and operate her own firm, and Deborah began her firm, Chang KLEIN LLP in the Los Angeles area.

“The pandemic provided an opportunity to forge an alliance that has ultimately been extremely gratifying,” said Chang, who was named a 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation–Plaintiffs in Los Angeles by The Best Lawyers in America®. “Each of us aims to improve the lives of clients, and in some matters—society—through our achievements in the justice system.

Indeed, the firm has already impacted the legal landscape. By also leveraging their mastery of demonstrative evidence, they have favorably resolved civil matters against well-funded entities such as various corporate defendants and even the Catholic Church. They also represent the family of Esther Nakajjigo, Uganda’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, who was killed in June 2020 while exiting Arches National Park in Utah. The negligence suit against the National Park Service is expected to go to trial in 2022. Athea Trial Lawyers are honored to represent the family of Ms. Nakajjigo, an activist globally renowned for improving education and rights for women and teenage girls in her home country and advocating to reduce rates of teenage pregnancy.

“This young woman was only 25 years old and was making the world a truly better place,” Chang said. “We will fight for justice on her behalf and aspire to carry on her remarkable legacy.”

The firm exemplifies what it means to be women leaders in the profession. All six lawyers and their staff collectively and individually harness the spirit of Athea, the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, strategic warfare, law and justice.

The namesake has been depicted (as Athena) on the Great Seal of the State of California since 1849, and the imagery is clearly inspiring success. Athea Trial Lawyers was honored to have been ranked Tier 1 for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” for 2021 and 2022. Founders Aldous and McGinn have also been named “Lawyer of the Year” several times by Best Lawyers® in various areas since 2009, most recently in 2021 for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in Dallas/Fort Worth and in 2019 for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Albuquerque, respectively. Fell, Blue and Littlepage have also been praised by legal media for securing precedent-setting nine-figure resolutions and their leadership positions in the legal community.

“In the courtroom, our goal is to achieve results that can help our clients heal and recover,” Chang said. “Outside the courtroom, we want to make a positive impact on society and hope to inspire and motivate women to reach their potential.”

Be a part of her story

44 Hermosa Avenue
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Ph: 800.664.0161 | 310.742.8063
www.AtheaLaw.com

Additional Locations:
Downtown Los Angeles | Torrance | San Francisco | San Diego | Las Vegas | Houston | Dallas | Philadelphia | Albuquerque

Related Articles

Announcing the 7th Annual Women in the Law Publication


by Best Lawyers

The 7th Annual Women in the Law publication is a celebration of all the female legal talent across the country, honoring every woman listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Honoring Female Lawyers in the United States

Canadian Women in the Legal Profession: From Non-‘Persons’ to Chief Justices


by Sara Collin

We take an in-depth look at the challenges and optimistic future of women in the Canadian legal sector.

Canadian Women in the Legal Profession

The Future of Litigation Is Changing for Female Solicitors in the U.K.


by Catherine Baksi

The support of entire law firms, organizations and senior counsel members will be the key to encouraging female solicitors and positive change in the industry.

Changing Litigation for UK Female Solicitors

New Sheriff in Town on ESG


by Patricia Brown Holmes

Various regulatory agencies within the Biden Administration are stepping up enforcement of corporate malfeasance in the ever-trendy ESG space.

ESG Enforcement in the Corporate Environment

Follow the Money


by Rachel F. Sifuentes

Women are the future of fintech—but in the here and now, they’re still being underserved in an industry otherwise marked by explosive growth. Here’s why that must change.

Women and the Future of Fintech

Privacy Practice


by Casey Waughn

Data protection is all the rage among tech companies and state, national (and even transnational) governments alike. Is it a passing fad or here to stay? And how should businesses and groups of all sizes handle compliance with a blizzard of new laws?

Data Protection Prompt New Privacy Laws

The Upcycle Conundrum


by Karen Kreider Gaunt

Laudable or litigious? What you need to know about potential copyright and trademark infringement when repurposing products.

Repurposed Products and Copyright Infringemen

The Compensation Situation


by Liz S. Washko

Pay discrimination has been outlawed for decades. Yet the issue has taken on new salience in recent years. Here’s what to know about compensation equity—and where the legal risk lies for companies.

Pay Discrimination and Equity in Legal Indust

Remote Controls


by Cynthia Morgan Ohlenforst

How law firms, lawyers and taxing authorities must adapt to remote work

Law Firms Adapt to Remote Work

Changes and Challenges


by Megan Norris

As the pandemic ebbs and many people return to the office, midsize law firms in particular must navigate a host of unprecedented questions about costs, culture and client expectations.

Changes, Challenges and Cost of the Pandemic

Carrying the Torch While Raising the Bar


by Sharen L. Nocella

Catherine Pyune McEldowney makes waves as one of the few Asian-American women at the pinnacle of a U.S. law firm.

Asian-American Representation in Law

Forging Bonds, Building Business


by Crystal L. Howard and Lizl Leonardo

As disorienting and occasionally frightening as the pandemic has been, it has also forced lawyers to find innovative new ways to stay connected and do business.

Pandemic Sparks Innovative Ways of Conducting

Destiny Fulfilled


by Sara Collin

Was Angela Reddock-Wright destined to become a lawyer? It sure seems that way. Yet her path was circuitous. This accomplished employment attorney, turned mediator, arbitrator and ADR specialist nonpareil discusses her career, the role of attorneys in society, the new world of post-pandemic work and why new Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson represents the future.

Interview with Lawyer Angela Reddock-Wright

Kelley|Uustal: A Firm Like No Other


by Kelley|Uustal

Florida firm Kelley|Uustal navigates the importance of client representation and the hard-fought personal injury battles that the firm has taken on over the years.

Catastrophic Injury and Wrongful Death Firm

Memphis Bar Gets First Black Female President


by Anissa Cordova

Best Lawyers is celebrating listed lawyer Tannera George Gibson who has become the first ever black female president of the Memphis Bar Association.

First Black Female President for Memphis Bar

A Warrior for Clients


by Best Lawyers

Michael P. Lyons stands up.

Lyons Roaring Through Complex Disputes

Trending Articles

The 2024 Best Lawyers in Spain™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ for 2024.

Tall buildings and rushing traffic against clouds and sun in sky

Best Lawyers Expands Chilean 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is pleased to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Chile™ and the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Chile™, honoring the top lawyers and firms conferred on by their Chilean peers.

Landscape of city in Chile

The Best Lawyers in Spain™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

Announcing Spain's recognized lawyers for 2023.

Flag of Spain

Announcing The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce the landmark 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ for 2024, including the exclusive "Law Firm of the Year" awards.

Sky view of South Africa town and waterways

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

The Best Lawyers in Portugal™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

The 2024 awards for Portugal include the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Portugal™ and 2nd edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Portugal™.

City and beach with green water and blue sky

The Best Lawyers in Peru™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce the landmark 10th edition of The Best Lawyers in Peru, the prestigious award recognizing the country's lop legal talent.

Landscape of Peru city with cliffside and ocean

The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers proudly announces lawyers recognized in South Africa for 2023.

South African flag

The Best Lawyers in Chile™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms in Chile.

White star in blue box beside white box with red box on bottom

The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ for 2024, which honors Colombia's most esteemed lawyers and law firms.

Cityscape of Colombia with blue cloudy sky above

Announcing the 2024 Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is proud to announce the 11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico™, honoring the top lawyers and firms across the country for 2024.

View of Puerto Rico city from the ocean

The 2023 Best Lawyers in Portugal™


by Best Lawyers

Announcing the elite group of lawyers recognized in Portugal for 2023.

Green and red Portuguese flag

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

Unwrapping Shrinkflation


by Justin Smulison

Through the lens of the United States, we take a closer look at the global implication of companies downsizing products while maintaining and often raising prices.

Chocolate bar being unwrapped from foil

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue


by Best Lawyers

The 2021 Global Issue features top legal talent from the most recent editions of Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch worldwide.

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in Canada Honorees


by Best Lawyers

The Best Lawyers in Canada™ is entering its 17th edition for 2023. We highlight the elite lawyers awarded this year.

Red map of Canada with white lines and dots