LA Fire Justice is a coalition
of experienced wildfire lawyers, world-class fire origin and causation experts, insurance specialists, and community engagement leaders committed to seeking justice for victims of preventable wildfires.

Led by CEO Chris Holden, attorney Doug Boxer, trial attorney Mikal Watts and consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, the work we do is unparalleled in the space, with a team of professionals that are not only some of the most experienced in the business but who care deeply about the work and the communities we serve. We invest locally by taking a long-term lease on an office in Pasadena.


We hire local residents to work full-time on engagement and outreach since no one is more qualified than those at the heart of the impacted communities, earning trust with our hands-on, people-focused approach.

Our Team

Chris Holden*

Chief Executive Officer
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Doug Boxer

California Attorney
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Erin Brockovich*

Consumer Advocate
Non-attorney spokesperson
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Mikal Watts1

Trial Lawyer
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Timme Mackie

LA Fire Justice Team
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Lily Nazlouyan

LA Fire Justice Team
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Aileen Chase

LA Fire Justice Team
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Christian Archer III

LA Fire Justice Team
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Emily Boyle

LA Fire Justice Team
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Kyley Douglas

LA Fire Justice Team
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Janet Popoola

LA Fire Justice Team
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Zaria Smith

LA Fire Justice Team
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* Erin Brockovich is a non-attorney spokesperson, Chris Holden is not an attorney.
1
Mikal Watts of the Watts Law Firm, 811 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX is licensed to practice law in Texas, Arkansas, and Oregon.

Our Team’s Vast Wildfire Experience

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.
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 team successfully represented hundreds of residents bringing justice to that community.
Rebuilding
Communities
During the California wildfire cases, the Watts’ team 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.
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.
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.
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
January 2019
September 2023
October 2017
January 2019
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. We will be there to provide support, encouragement, and thoughtfulness.
PROVIDE IN-PERSON ACCESS
This is more than a job to us. 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.