Deborah Chang has established herself as one of California’s most accomplished and influential trial lawyers, renowned for securing favorable resolutions in complex and catastrophic injury and medical malpractice litigation. Her colorful career spans more than three decades, and as the co-founder of Chang | Klein and co-founder of Athea Trial Lawyers – a national collective of leading female advocates – she is continually at the forefront of the types of claims that can create systemic change.
“I am honored to provide a courtroom voice for clients, who include individuals and their families, following some of the most challenging times in their lives,” said Chang, who was named The Best Lawyers in America®’s 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs in Los Angeles. “Whether they were injured by a defective pharmaceutical, in a hospital, on a dangerous roadway or in a traffic accident, we fight for the results in court that send messages to public entities and well-funded defendants that negligence and recklessness will not be tolerated.”
Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse: Exposing Systemic Failures and Driving Accountability
Deborah Chang has enhanced elder/dependent adult abuse/neglect litigation in California by exposing institutional negligence and securing justice for vulnerable patients. Her work in this field combines meticulous legal strategy with a deep understanding of healthcare systems, resulting in both landmark verdicts and systemic reforms.
Through her leadership at Chang|Klein, she has secured landmark judgments and settlements in cases that highlighted systemic understaffing and oversight failures, prompting other healthcare providers in California and nationwide to reevaluate patient safety protocols.
Chang’s approach earned praise from frontline healthcare workers for targeting administrators rather than overburdened staff. “This case wasn’t about blaming nurses—it was about holding administrators accountable to give nurses the staffing ratios and equipment they need,” she noted.
As an active co-founder of Athea Trial Lawyers, she has held well-funded defendants – which have included the federal government, state parks, major cities and healthcare systems – accountable for injuries that changed or ended their clients’ lives. Like Chang | Klein, Athea Trial Lawyers has been ranked Tier 1 for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs by Best Law Firms® since its founding in 2022, and has achieved record verdicts and settlements throughout the country.
“Claims are becoming more complex,” Chang noted. “In these types of cases, when there is insufficient staffing, there are systematic failures throughout the hospitals and nursing homes, and the consequences can be catastrophic and costly. My firm litigates these cases to secure justice and to generate awareness in the hopes of effectuating meaningful change.”
Catastrophic Injury: Record Verdicts That Reshape Industries and Policy
Chang’s catastrophic injury practices are defined by precedent-setting verdicts that compel industries to prioritize safety over profit. Her ability to humanize clients and simplify complex technical evidence has made her a formidable force in high-stakes litigation.
Landmark results include:
Over $100 million in elder/dependent adult abuse/neglect cases: Chang’s team achieved record judgments and settlements in a single year exceeding $100 million.
$160 million Brain Injury Verdict: In a Las Vegas nightclub assault case, Chang was part of the trial team that secured one of Nevada’s largest personal injury verdicts, prompting venues nationwide to overhaul security practices.
$6.125 million and Policy Change: Chang | Klein’s settlement in 2024 with the City of San Diego after a fatal wrong-way crash forced police to adopt stricter mental health crisis protocols. The case’s impact extended beyond financial compensation, she noted.
“We fought for the family of a mother and daughter tragically killed by a wrong-way driver in the midst of a mental health crisis,” she said. “Our resolution prompted the San Diego Police Department to revise its policies regarding mental health interventions, now requiring officers to evaluate individuals and consult with supervisors before leaving the scene.”
Chang’s influence is not limited to California. In 2022, she co-led Athea Trial Lawyers’ representation of the family of Esther Nakajjigo, Uganda’s Ambassador for Women and Girls. Nakajjigo was killed by a malfunctioning security gate at Arches National Park while in a car with her husband. The historic $10.5 million wrongful death verdict remains the largest of its kind issued by a federal court judge in Utah.
Mentorship, Professional Leadership and Recognition
Beyond her courtroom achievements, Chang is a respected leader and mentor. She has served as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and President of the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), championing the advancement of women and ethical standards in the legal profession. Her accolades include the CAOC Consumer Attorney of the Year Award (2014, 2023), the California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year award (2019), the Marvin E. Lewis Award (2023) and the 2025 Lee B. Wenzel Civility Award from ABOTA, which honors attorneys who elevate the standards of civility and professionalism.
Her commitment to mentorship and her role as a trailblazer for women in law have inspired countless colleagues and young lawyers. “Lawyers have a duty to make an impact beyond the courtroom and create lasting change,” Chang said. “Connecting with judges and juries is just the beginning—the true measure of our work is when our results lead to safer communities, increased and emerging benches of talent and improved policies. I am hoping that with everything we do, women trial lawyers can be inspired to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight in the courtroom.”
A Legacy of Justice and Reform
Deborah Chang’s career is defined by her relentless pursuit of justice for those harmed by catastrophic injury and medical malpractice. Her work has resulted in more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements, leading to industry reforms and safer communities.
“I am privileged to represent people from all walks of life who are simply trying to heal and move forward following a traumatic or severe injury, and who are brave enough to stand up to corporations and powerful defendants to obtain justice,” Chang said. “We live in an uncertain time when faith is often in short supply. My goal is to be a reliable source of strength for those who have suffered and are seeking justice.”
