Insight

From One Man to a Nationally Recognized Force

As Frantz Law Group nears 38 years of advocacy for the injured, founder James P. Frantz reflects on his firm’s achievements and discusses its involvement with history-making cases.

James P. Frantz of Frantz Law Group
JS

Justin Smulison

November 10, 2017 12:26 PM

When James P. Frantz opened his firm’s doors in 1979, he had two goals: to offer injured clients and their families well-deserved, personalized representation and to reach favorable outcomes. The resolute San Diego solo practitioner defied the odds, thrived as a trial lawyer, and eventually evolved his practice into a formidable plaintiff’s injury firm with offices throughout California.

“I have always felt a calling to help families who have been victims of injury or [suffered] the loss of a loved one,” Frantz says. “Whether we settle or go to trial, I want my clients and their families to walk away feeling empowered.”

Now with seven offices throughout California, Frantz Law Group has evolved into one of California’s leading law firms, well known for making wrongdoers, including individuals, corporations, and governmental entities, fully accountable for their negligence.

Frantz Law Group has represented thousands of victims of negligence by wrongdoers in high-profile trials, class actions, and multidistrict litigation. The firm has achieved verdicts and settlements of more than a half billion dollars and has even influenced national public policy.

History in the Making

Frantz Law Group represents more than 8,500 Los Angeles area residents who are victims of the Porter Ranch Gas Blowout, which is believed to be the country’s largest-ever methane gas leak. The firm is currently serving on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee to oversee and assist in developing the litigation against SoCalGas and Sempra Energy.

“We have the privilege of directing the litigation (with others) of the largest mass tort gas leak case in U.S. history,” says Frantz. “The entire firm is working tirelessly to make a difference in our clients’ lives, secure maximum compensation for their physical, emotional, and economic injuries, and bring about regulatory changes that will prevent similar catastrophes from occurring.”

Instituting Change

When the families of four deceased United States Marine pilots demanded justice, they hired Frantz Law Group. The firm obtained a $55.4 million jury verdict* against SDG&E (Sempra’s subsidiary) for a deadly helicopter crash during a nighttime training exercise due to the company’s failure to light its utility towers at Camp Pendleton. Prior to the jury verdict, SDG&E adamantly refused to offer any compensation to the families.

As a result of this litigation, SDG&E finally installed safety lights on the tower in question and on all other base towers at Camp Pendleton to prevent another tragedy.

Setting Records

As the firm was preparing for a professional negligence suit involving compensatory and punitive damages, the insurance defense counsel made a final offer of $100,000 prior to trial. Frantz felt his firm could achieve a better result for the client. After a five-week trial, the jury awarded a $223 million verdict.* It was the largest jury verdict at the time in San Diego County, and it is currently the second largest in San Diego County history.

Influencing Policy

Frantz helped lead the fight to ban dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids (ephedra), which have been linked to heart attacks and strokes. After obtaining an $18.5 million verdict* in a class action against an ephedra supplement manufacturer, Frantz was called to testify before Congress as an expert on the stimulant’s dangers. His testimony, and that of other experts, led the Food and Drug Administration to permanently prohibit the sale of ephedra-based supplements.

“We’ve helped prevent many people from dying or being harmed from the negligence of others and will always strive to do so,” says Frantz. “That is Frantz Law Group’s proud legacy.”

Related Articles

The “Food” in the FDA


by Daniel Kracov and Raqiyyah Pippins

The Food & Drug Administration responds to existing nutrient claims with re-evaluation, label updates.

The "Food" in the FDA

The Litigation Finance Mass Tort Gold Rush


by Justin Smulison

Third-party litigation funding is transforming mass torts, propelling the high-risk area into a multi-billion-dollar industry

Gold coins with data chart backdrop

Resilience and Success


by Justin Smulison

Burg Simpson secured favorable results in 2021 and also strategically expanded to ensure its future and provide more personalized service to its clients nationwide.

Burg Simpson on Resilience and Success in Law

Strategy and Resilience


by Justin Smulison

Easton & Easton partners discuss how innovating during 2020’s uncertainty led to stronger injury cases, new practice areas, and greater success.

Easton & Easton

Big Wins From Coast to Coast


by Justin Smulison

Founder Michael S. Burg discusses how Burg Simpson’s lawyers secured major verdicts in some of the nation’s most unique cases in 2019.

Michael S. Burg Best Lawyers 2020

Fighting for Justice


by Best Lawyers

How They Have Fought for Clients Every Step of the Way

Fighting for Justice

The Hidden and Explosive Danger of Electronic Cigarettes


by Steven Weston

While the FDA's authority has been extended to cover E-Cigarettes, no regulations have been put in place to govern the development and sale of e-cigarette batteries. This has made exploding E-Cigs a serious health threat on par with respiratory complications.

E-Cigarette Explosions

Supreme Court further Restricts Where Plaintiffs Can Sue in Mass Torts


by Gregory Bubalo and Katherine A. Dunnington

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court of California will significantly impact the plaintiffs’ choices of forums for the filing of mass torts actions.

Plaintiffs No Longer Sue in Mass Torts

An Introduction to Multidistrict Litigation


by Annesley H. DeGaris

Many lawyers who do not regularly handle mass tort cases can be frustrated by the multidistrict litigation (MDL) process.

Multidistrict Litigation

Trending Articles

2025 Best Lawyers Awards Announced: Honoring Outstanding Legal Professionals Across the U.S.


by Jennifer Verta

Introducing the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America and the fifth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Digital map of the United States illuminated by numerous bright lights

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Awards Canada: Celebrating Legal Excellence


by Jennifer Verta

Presenting the 19th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada and the 4th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada.

Digital map of Canadathis on illuminated by numerous bright lights

Legal Distinction on Display: 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in France™


by Best Lawyers

The industry’s best lawyers and firms working in France are revealed in the newly released, comprehensive the 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in France™.

French flag in front of country's outline

Discover The Best Lawyers in Spain 2025 Edition


by Jennifer Verta

Highlighting Spain’s leading legal professionals and rising talents.

Flags of Spain, representing Best Lawyers country

Presenting the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Chile, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico


by Jennifer Verta

Celebrating top legal professionals in South America and the Caribbean.

Flags of Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, representing countries featured in the Best Lawyers

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa


by Jennifer Verta

Best Lawyers celebrates the finest in law, reaffirming its commitment to the global legal community.

Flags of Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa, representing Best Lawyers countries

Announcing the 13th Edition of Best Lawyers Rankings in the United Kingdom


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is proud to announce the newest edition of legal rankings in the United Kingdom, marking the 13th consecutive edition of awards in the country.

British flag in front of country's outline

Prop 36 California 2024: California’s Path to Stricter Sentencing and Criminal Justice Reform


by Jennifer Verta

Explore how Prop 36 could shape California's sentencing laws and justice reform.

Illustrated Hands Breaking Chains Against a Bright Red Background

Announcing the 16th Edition of the Best Lawyers in Germany Rankings


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers announces the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Germany™, featuring a unique set of rankings that highlights Germany's top legal talent.

German flag in front of country's outline

Celebrating Excellence in Law: 11th Edition of Best Lawyers in Italy™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers announces the 11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Italy™, which features an elite list of awards showcasing Italy's current legal talent.

Italian flag in front of country's outline

Tampa Appeals Court ‘Sends Clear Message,” Ensuring School Tax Referendum Stays on Ballot


by Gregory Sirico

Hillsborough County's tax referendum is back on the 2024 ballot, promising $177 million for schools and empowering residents to decide the future of education.

Graduation cap in air surrounded by pencils and money

Find the Best Lawyers for Your Needs


by Jennifer Verta

Discover how Best Lawyers simplifies the attorney search process.

A focused woman with dark hair wearing a green top and beige blazer, working on a tablet in a dimly

Key Developments and Trends in U.S. Commercial Litigation


by Justin Smulison

Whether it's multibillion-dollar water cleanliness verdicts or college athletes vying for the right to compensation, the state of litigation remains strong.

Basketball sits in front of stacks of money

Woman on a Mission


by Rebecca Blackwell

Baker Botts partner and intellectual property chair Christa Brown-Sanford discusses how she juggles work, personal life, being a mentor and leadership duties.

Woman in green dress crossing her arms and posing for headshot

The Human Cost


by Justin Smulison

2 new EU laws aim to reshape global business by enforcing ethical supply chains, focusing on human rights and sustainability

Worker wearing hat stands in field carrying equipemtn

Introduction to Demand Generation for Law Firms


by Jennifer Verta

Learn the essentials of demand gen for law firms and how these strategies can drive client acquisition, retention, and long-term success.

Illustration of a hand holding a magnet, attracting icons representing individuals towards a central