Rise to Fame: the Downfall of Powerhouse Lawyer Tom Girardi

The Attorney Who Played “Champion of Justice”

Tom Girardi was once among California’s most esteemed plaintiffs’ attorneys. Co‑founder of Girardi & Keese, he tackled giants like PG&E — winning a $333 million settlement that inspired the film Erin Brockovich. His high-profile image and lavish lifestyle — including appearances on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills via ex-wife Erika Jayne — masked a darker truth.

The Fraud Scheme: Millions Diverted, Trust Betrayed

From roughly 2010 to 2020, Girardi is accused of running a Ponzi-esque fraud, siphoning at least $15 million from client settlement funds — targeting people already traumatized, like Lion Air crash victims and burn victims from pipeline explosions. Prosecutors described him as a “Robin Hood in reverse” — taking from the needy to fund personal luxuries.

Court records show repeated seven‑figure withdrawals labeled as “case costs,” but in reality were funding jewelers, private jets, country clubs, and an entertainment company linked to his wife’s mediocre entertainment career.

Legal Collapse: Guilty & Disbarred

In August 2024, at age 85, Girardi was convicted by a federal jury on four counts of wire fraud for misdirecting over $15 million intended for needy plaintiffs. He was disbarred in California in 2022, and by early 2021 his firm had entered bankruptcy and closed its doors after creditors filed for liquidation.

His defense argued dementia and Alzheimer’s affected his actions — but the judge ruled he was mentally competent both for trial and sentencing.

Sentencing & Fallout

In June 2025, U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton sentenced Girardi to 87 months (7 years, 3 months) in federal prison. He faces surrender by July 17. The court also imposed $2.3 million in restitution and a $35,000 fine .

Co-defendants also faced consequences: former firm accountant Christopher Kamon received a 10-year sentence and over $8.9 million in restitution for his role in the scheme. Additional trials are pending for attorney David Lira, Girardi’s son-in-law.

Legacy in Ruins

Girardi’s once-vaunted legacy is shattered. Disbarred, bankrupt, and serving prison time, he’s a textbook case of how fame and fortune can crumble under greed. His misuse of client funds led to civil suits, bankruptcy, and an institutional scandal involving the California State Bar’s failure to act on hundreds of complaints over decades due to conflicts of interest.

Erika Jayne has denied involvement; she hasn’t been charged but has faced civil scrutiny. Her delayed divorce and continued denials fuel public curiosity — and streaming docuseries.

Girardi’s case is a tragic cautionary tale: prestige means nothing without ethics. A legendary reputation built in court evaporated once the scales tipped. It’s a reminder that justice isn’t just winning lawsuits — it’s honoring client trust.