A California state appeals court has upheld the dismissal of financial elder abuse and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty claims brought by two former co-counsel of disbarred attorney Thomas Girardi against his son-in-law. The court also affirmed the dismissal of an aiding and abetting claim against a company operated by Girardi’s estranged wife.
Thomas Girardi, once a prominent figure in the legal community, co-founded the now-defunct Los Angeles law firm Girardi & Keese. His career unraveled following numerous allegations of client fund misappropriation, leading to his disbarment in 2022. In August 2024, a federal jury found Girardi guilty of wire fraud and embezzling tens of millions of dollars from clients. He was sentenced in May 2025 to an 87-month prison term and ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Girardi?utm_source=openai))
The recent appellate decision underscores the challenges faced by former associates and clients in seeking redress for alleged financial misconduct linked to Girardi’s operations. The court’s ruling indicates that the plaintiffs did not present sufficient evidence to support their claims against Girardi’s family members and associated entities.
This case highlights the complexities involved in holding individuals and affiliated parties accountable in instances of alleged legal malpractice and financial misconduct. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of due diligence and transparency in legal partnerships and client representations.
As the legal community continues to grapple with the fallout from Girardi’s actions, this ruling may influence how courts assess similar claims in the future, particularly those involving familial and corporate associations with individuals accused of professional misconduct.