Athea Trial Lawyers has since emerged as a powerhouse law firm that has made an undeniable impact on the civil litigation landscape, handling class actions, torts and complex matters stemming from medical malpractice, recklessness, negligence and systemic failures. Led by renowned female attorneys known for resolving high-profile and high-value cases, Athea Trial Lawyers is proudly ranked Tier 1 in Los Angeles for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in 2024 Best Law Firms®.
- Founded in 2022 by six experienced lawyers, Athea Trial Lawyers handles impactful civil cases nationwide, focusing on catastrophic injuries, wrongful death and product liability.
- Renowned for high-value legal victories, including a $268.6 million wrongful death award, the firm has been ranked Tier 1 in Los Angeles for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in 2024.
- Known for successful cases against powerful entities, Athea's founders combine their expertise to tackle complex litigation against major corporations and government agencies.
- Their work fosters industry change, exemplified by a landmark $10.5 million verdict for a wrongful death case against a U.S. government agency in Utah.
The firm’s six founders – Charla Aldous, Randi McGinn, Bibi Fell, Lisa Blue, Zoe Littlepage and Deborah Chang – are regarded as modern-day trailblazers for securing record-breaking and multimillion-dollar victories throughout the U.S. in all areas of catastrophic injury. Headquartered in Southern California, the partners concurrently lead their own firms and also unite to operate Athea Trial Lawyers.
“Each of us has successfully advocated, against all odds, for those who feel voiceless and powerless,” said Chang, who was named the 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in Los Angeles by The Best Lawyers in America®. “Collectively, our results have led to change in the way of patient care, women’s reproductive treatments and various other medical processes.”
These results include:
- $268.6 million on behalf of a 13-year-old who died due to physicians administering too much of the sedation drug, Propofol.
- $160.5 million for the victim of a traumatic brain injury.
- $134 million on behalf of three women who developed breast cancer after taking Wyeth's defective hormone therapy drugs.
- $105 million against Robert Young, father of the Alkaline Diet, who falsely promised to cure his patients’ cancer through knowingly ineffective treatments.
- $30.5 million against Los Robles Medical Center in 2023 for negligent care leading to the death of a patient.
But the progress extends beyond litigating against insurance companies and health care systems. The firm also holds well-funded entities, government agencies and corporate defendants accountable for avoidable injuries.
Athea Trial Lawyers secured a deeply emotional verdict on behalf of the family of a globally renowned activist. Esther Nakajjigo, Uganda’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, was killed while exiting Arches National Park in Utah in June 2020. Justice was finally achieved in January 2023, following a five-day trial in December of 2022 in the District of Utah where McGinn, Chang and Littlepage secured a $10.5 million verdict allocated to Nakajjigo’s husband and family in Uganda. The decision is the largest wrongful death verdict issued by a federal court judge in Utah history.
“Esther embodied both inner and outer beauty, and in her 25 years made significant contributions to the advancement of women,” McGinn said. “Challenging a governmental agency is a formidable task, and obtaining a verdict of negligence is an even more arduous endeavor. It was profoundly validating for our clients and our firm when the U.S. government acknowledged its fault and extended an apology for Esther’s untimely and avoidable passing. This sentiment was further amplified upon reviewing the decision rendered by Judge Bruce Jenkins.”
“We gathered witnesses from across the globe to the Utah federal courtroom as a heartfelt tribute to celebrate Esther’s life and enduring impact,” added Littlepage.
The verdict on behalf of Esther Nakajjigo exemplifies the meaningful cases on which the firm and its lawyers have built their reputation. They have favorably resolved civil matters against other well-funded entities such as the Catholic Church, Boeing and various other well-known defendants.
The core of their success is their talent for engaging juries and persuading judges. Furthermore, they consistently enhance their abilities by integrating legal technology expertise into their courtroom narratives.
Founders Aldous and McGinn have also been named “Lawyer of the Year” several times by The Best Lawyers in America in various practice areas since 2009. 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.
“Trying cases is a lost art because our world is based more on mediation and arbitration rather than litigation,” said Blue, who recently finished writing her sixth book on voir dire.
“Athea Trial Lawyers was established to handle cases from start to finish with confidence,” added Fell. “Especially when litigating against some of the world’s largest law firms and corporations.”
The combined talents, resources and resolve of these lawyers provide enormous new opportunities for their prospective clients and for the growth of Athea Trial Lawyers.
“We aspire to inspire,” Aldous said. “Our alliance has motivated many others to enter or rejoin the profession, which demonstrates our ability to reach minds and hearts in and out of the courtroom.”
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126 Lomita Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
Ph: 800.664.0161 | 310.742.8063
Charla Aldous is a founder of Athea Trial Lawyers and a partner of the Dallas-based law firm of Aldous \ Walker LLP. She was recognized by Best Lawyers® as “Lawyer of the Year” in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs in 2009, 2017 and 2019 and Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in 2013, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2024.
Randi McGinn is a founder of Athea Trial Lawyers and a partner with the New Mexico firm of McGinn, Montoya, Love & Curry, PA. She was recognized by Best Lawyers® as “Lawyer of the Year” in Albuquerque, NM for Criminal Defense: General Practice in 2011, Criminal Defense: White-Collar in 2013, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in 2014 and 2019 and Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in 2015.
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