Eaton Fire Lawyer Doug Boxer comforts a resident who was a victim of the Maui Wildfires at Eaton Fire town hall.

LA Fire Justice is a coalition of experienced LA wildfire lawyers, world-class fire origin and causation experts, insurance specialists, and community engagement leaders committed to seeking justice from Southern California Edison for victims of the Eaton Fire.

Our LA Fire Justice legal team is led by California lawyer Doug Boxer, and lead litigator Mikal Watts1. Our lawyers are joined by CEO Chris Holden2, and consumer advocate Erin Brockovich3. Together, our team offers unparalleled expertise in wildfire litigation, public policy, and consumer protection.

We invest locally by operating out of a 6,000 square foot office space with a long-term lease in Pasadena and by hiring people from Eaton fire-impacted areas for full-time engagement and outreach roles. LA Fire Justice strongly believes that no one is more qualified to support Eaton Fire recovery than those at the heart of the impacted communities. Our hands-on, people-first approach earns our clients’ trust and drives results.
1 Mikal Watts of the Watts Law Firm, 811 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX is licensed to practice law in Texas, Arkansas, and Oregon.
2 Chris Holden is not an attorney.
3 Erin Brockovich is a non-attorney spokesperson.

Our Team

Chris Holden, CEO, LA Fire Justice

Chris Holden*

Chief Executive Officer
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Doug Boxer, California Attorney

Doug Boxer

California Attorney
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Mikal Watts, Trial Lawyer

Mikal Watts1

Trial Lawyer
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Rico Reyes, Attorney

Rico Reyes**

Attorney
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Erin Brockovich, Consumer Advocate, Non-attorney spokesperson

Erin Brockovich*

Consumer Advocate
Non-attorney spokesperson
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Christian Archer III, Community Outreach Representative

Christian Archer III

Community Outreach Representative
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Marlyn Bañuelos, Case Management Analyst

Marlyn Bañuelos

Case Management Analyst
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Emily Boyle, Ground Operations Supervisor

Emily Boyle

Ground Operations Supervisor
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April Carter, Office Manager

April Carter

Office Manager
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Aileen Chase, Community Outreach Representative

Aileen Chase

Community Outreach Representative
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Kyley Douglas, Community Outreach Representative

Kyley Douglas

Community Outreach Representative
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Patricia A. González-Portillo, Community Relations Consultant

Patricia A. González-Portillo

Community Relations Consultant
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Kobe Henderson, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Kobe Henderson

Marketing and Communications Coordinator
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Nicole Lynch, Director of LAFJ Campaign Marketing

Nicole Lynch

Director of LAFJ Campaign Marketing
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Timme Mackie, Executive Support and Engagement Associate

Timme Mackie

Executive Support and Engagement Associate
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Melany Martin, Case Management Analyst

Melany Martin

Case Management Analyst
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Blanca Mendez, Case Management Analyst

Blanca Mendez

Case Management Analyst
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Lily Nazlouyan, Community Relations Specialist

Lily Nazlouyan

Community Relations Specialist
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Janet Popoola, Community Outreach Representative

Janet Popoola

Community Outreach Representative
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Phlunte Riddle, Senior Community Engagement Specialist, Psy.D

Phlunte Riddle

Senior Community Engagement Specialist
Psy.D
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Ruby Saldana, Human Resources Generalist

Ruby Saldana

Human Resources Generalist
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Katherine Serrano, Case Management Analyst

Katherine Serrano

Case Management Analyst
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Angela Shaw, Community Outreach Supervisor

Angela Shaw

Community Outreach Supervisor
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Zaria Smith, Community Outreach Representative

Zaria Smith

Community Outreach Representative
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Pamela Tyus-Smith, Community Relations Specialist

Pamela Tyus-Smith

Community Relations Specialist
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* Erin Brockovich is a non-attorney spokesperson, Chris Holden is not an attorney.
1Mikal Watts of the Watts Law Firm, 811 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX is licensed to practice law in Texas, Arkansas, and Oregon.
**Rico Reyes is licensed to practice law in Texas and is not admitted in California.

Our Team’s Vast Wildfire Experience

Eaton Fire Lawyer Doug Boxer and a crowd of people look at the devastation
LA Wildfire lawyer Doug Boxer speaking about the Eaton Fire at a LA Fire Justice event
Erin Brockovich speaking at a LA Fire Justice event about the Eaton Fire
Maui Fires
On August 8, 2023, a wildfire sparked by a failed power pole and live power line destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, taking 103 lives in the process. The Lahaina Fire became the deadliest wildfire in the United States. Our legal team represents over 3,500 fire victims and survivors and helped in mediating a preliminary settlement of $4.05 billion that is expected to be finalized in 2025.
The Maui Fire Case against Hawaiian Electric, 2023
2020 LA County
Bobcat Fire
In September 2020, equipment owned by Southern California Edison sparked the Bobcat Fire. That Fire ultimately destroyed 116,000 acres. Our LA wildfire lawyers successfully represented hundreds of residents bringing justice to that community.
Image of the 2020 LA County Bobcat Fire
Rebuilding
Communities
During the California wildfire cases, the Watts’ team of LA wildfire lawyers provided support to 17,559 clients. Our attention to detail and dedication led to a 50% increase in client awards after reconsideration, resulting in over $3.79 billion in compensation for our clients to date.
California couple impacted by the LA wildfires
2017-2018 Settlement Announcement
Shortly after the Camp Fire, PG&E filed for bankruptcy protection. Mikal and his team advocated for thousands of clients throughout the critical bankruptcy process. Mikal himself played a lead role in the complex negotiations, which ultimately resulted in a $13.5 billion settlement for the entire universe of claimants against PG&E.
The New York Times PG&E Reaches $13.5 Billion Deal With Wildfire Victims. The agreement could help tens of thousands of residents rebuild while helping to resolve the utility’s bankruptcy.
Camp Fire
Just 13 months later on November 8th 2018, a faulty transmission line owned by the giant California utility PG&E ignited what became known as the Camp Fire outside of the town of Paradise. Over 17 days, the Camp Fire killed 85 people and destroyed almost 20,000 structures while burning 153,336 acres.
Justice for ALL Fire Victims, Event for the 2018 Camp Fire
Tubbs Fire
On October 8th, 2017, the initial spark of 18 devastating wildfires occurred in Northern California, collectively known as the North Bay Fires. These relentless fires scorched more
than 200,000 acres of land, destroyed to 8,900 structures, and tragically claimed the lives of
43 individuals. California investigators concluded the cause of the largest of the
North Bay fires, known as the Tubbs Fire,
could not be determined. Our lead litigator, Mikal Watts, and his team of experts refused
to accept this. Using advanced technology, Mikal’s team proved that the Tubbs Fire was started by a transmission line owned by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).
October 2017
A neighborhood destroyed by the Tubbs Fire in October 2017.
January 2019
Wooden frames of new homes being built in January 2019, after the Tubbs Fire
September 2023
The neighborhood destroyed by the Tubbs Fire has been completely rebuilt, September 2023.
October 2017
A neighborhood destroyed by the Tubbs Fire in October 2017.
January 2019
Wooden frames of new homes being built in January 2019, after the Tubbs Fire
September 2023
The neighborhood destroyed by the Tubbs Fire has been completely rebuilt, September 2023.
Our Commitment To You

We Will Be Here For You

EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS
Along with our experienced wildfire lawyers, we bring together experienced fire-cause and origin experts, arborists, business valuation consultants, and advocates to work tirelessly for our clients. As advocates for over 20,000 wildfire victims and survivors across the United States, we know what it takes to build a successful case against a utility.
TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY
 We approach this relationship like you are family. Our LA wildfire lawyers will be there to provide support, encouragement, and thoughtfulness every step of the way.
PROVIDE IN-PERSON ACCESS
For our LA wildfire lawyers, this is more than just a job. The people who will be helping you on your path to recovery understand what you are going through. Many are your community members.
PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE
Your safety and comfort with our team is of the utmost importance. You will be sharing personal and private information that allows us to fight on your behalf.
SEEK THE TRUTH
Wrongdoers almost always deny their culpability. We do not let this deter us. In 2017, working together with experts, our team developed evidence to help demonstrate the cause and origin of one of the largest North Bay fires was utility-owned equipment. This work helped to ensure thousands of victims and survivors received justice for their injuries and damages.
FIGHT FOR REAL CHANGE
While the primary purpose of our litigation is to get justice for our clients, our goal is also to change bad corporate behavior. Our PG&E litigation resulted in over $14 billion going to all victims and survivors of PG&E’s devastating fires between 2015 and 2018, but lawyers also insisted on certain changes to PG&E’s board of directors and on other structural changes. Since then, while PG&E has ignited some fires, overall, the company has operated more safely than prior to our litigation. Our goals here are no different and we will continue to seek the kinds of reforms to help ensure this does not happen again.

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* Erin Brockovich is a non-attorney spokesperson, Chris Holden is not an attorney.
1Mikal Watts of the Watts Law Firm, 811 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX is licensed to practice law in Texas, Arkansas, and Oregon.
ADVERTISING MATERIAL: Douglas Boxer, Law Office of Douglas Boxer, 221 E. Walnut St., Suite 100, Pasadena, CA 91101 is the attorney responsible for the content of this website.