what lawyer did aaron brockovich work for?

by Prof. Tracey Roob DDS 7 min read

Disbarment recommended for Tom Girardi, lawyer whose law firm was portrayed in 'Erin Brockovich' movie. Image from Shutterstock. A California bar court judge has recommended the disbarment of lawyer Tom Girardi, whose estranged wife is Erika Girardi of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reality TV show.Jan 14, 2022

Full Answer

What law firm did Erin Brockovich work for?

She worked as a consultant for the now-defunct California law firm Girardi & Keese. Brockovich was born Erin Pattee in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Betty Jo (born O'Neal; c. 1923–2008), a journalist, and Frank Pattee (1924–2011), an industrial engineer and football player.

Is the movie Brockovich a true story?

The film is a dramatization of the true story of Erin Brockovich, portrayed by Julia Roberts, who fought against the energy corporation Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) regarding its culpability for the Hinkley groundwater contamination incident. The film was a box-office success, and gained a positive critical reaction.

Who is Steven Brockovich’s ex wife?

Spouse/Ex-: Eric L. Ellis (m. 1999), Shawn Brown (m. 1982–1987), Steven Brockovich (m. 1989–1990) Who is Erin Brockovich? Erin Brockovich is an American environmental activist and legal clerk. She is best known for building the 1993 Pacific Gas and Electric Company litigation case for her law firm Masry & Vititoe.

What was the settlement for the Brockovich case?

The case was settled in 1996 for (US) $333 million, the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in United States history to that date. Masry & Vititoe, the law firm for which Brockovich was a legal clerk, received $133.6 million of that settlement, and Brockovich received $2.5 million as part of her fee.

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What happened to the lawyer from Erin Brockovich?

Tom Girardi, the real-life “Erin Brockovich” attorney and husband to “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne, has lost his law license as the apparent result of an ongoing conservatorship case.

What is Thomas Girardi famous for?

Among them was Tom Girardi. Girardi was about as famous as a lawyer can get in post-O. J. America. He was one of the lawyers brought in by Ed Masry and Erin Brockovich to help sue Pacific Gas & Electric on behalf of the residents of Hinkley, California.

Did Erin Brockovich ever become a lawyer?

Erin Brockovich is an American legal clerk and environmental activist, who, despite her lack of formal education in the law, was instrumental in building a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California in 1993.

How much is Erika Jaynes net worth?

$5 millionwhat is Erika Jayne's net worth? Well, according to Celebrity Net Worth, Erika is worth $5 million, which is impressive on its own but just a fraction of how much Tom was worth before a judge froze his assets.

How much did Tom Girardi make from Erin Brockovich?

a $333 millionGirardi Keese was portrayed in the film Erin Brockovich as helping win a $333 million settlement in a case concerning contaminated drinking water. Roland's opinion recommended that Girardi pay more than $2.2 million in restitution.

Is Ed Masry Tom Girardi?

Girardi's career includes his work with Ed Masry on the environmental contamination case dramatized in the film “Erin Brockovich” in 2000 and his representation of families of victims of the Lion Air crash in 2018 that killed all 189 on board.

How much did Hinkley residents get?

a $333-millionRoberta Walker was a plaintiff in the original suit against Pacific Gas & Electric Co., which ended with Hinkley, Calif., residents winning a $333-million settlement over contaminated groundwater.

Does anyone live in Hinkley CA?

As of the 2010 census, the ZCTA had a population of 1,692 (a decrease of 11.6% since 2000). The postal ZIP Code is 92347 and the community is inside telephone area codes 760 and 442.

How much did Brockovich get paid for the case?

The case was settled in 1996 for US$ 333 million, the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in United States history. Masry & Vititoe, the law firm for which Brockovich was a legal clerk, received $133.6 million of that settlement, and Brockovich herself received a settlement of $2 million.

What was Erin Brockovich's role in the movie?

Brockovich's work in bringing litigation against Pacific Gas & Electric was the focus of the 2000 feature film, Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts in the title role. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Writing in a Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich. Erin Brockovich herself had a cameo role as a waitress named Julia R.

Where is Erin Brockovich from?

She has two brothers, Frank Jr. and Thomas (1954–1992), and a sister, Jodie. She graduated from Lawrence High School, then attended Kansas State University, in Manhattan , Kansas, and graduated with an Associate in Applied Arts Degree from Wade College in Dallas, Texas.

Where was the prime tanning lawsuit filed?

Brockovich assisted in the filing of a lawsuit against Prime Tanning Corp. of St. Joseph, Missouri in April 2009. The lawsuit claims that waste sludge from the production of leather, containing high levels of hexavalent chromium, was distributed to farmers in northwest Missouri to use as fertilizer on their fields.

Who is the waitress in the documentary Last Call at the Oasis?

Erin Brockovich herself had a cameo role as a waitress named Julia R. Brockovich had a more extensive role in the 2012 documentary Last Call at the Oasis, which focused on not only water pollution but also the overall state of water scarcity as it relates to water policy in the United States.

What is the role of Brockovich?

In the time since the Hinkley lawsuit that made her famous, Brockovich has continued to work as a consumer advocate and environmental activist. She has been involved in numerous successful lawsuits against environmental polluters as well as ongoing lawsuits involving automobiles, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

What happened to Brockovich after her divorce?

Shortly after her divorce, Brockovich was involved in a severe car accident that necessitated her having neck surgery. She then moved to Los Angeles’s San Fernando Valley, where she was referred by a friend to the law firm Masry & Vititoe, whom she hired to represent her in her accident case.

What is Erin Brockovich famous for?

Erin Brockovich is best known for her involvement in one of the largest direct action lawsuits in U.S. history and is the subject of the 2000 film 'Erin Brockovich,' starring Julia Roberts.

How much did Brockovich get paid?

For her part in bringing the case to the firm, Brockovich received a fee of $2.5 million. But the publicity that the case received also brought Brockovich to the attention of Danny DeVito ’s production company, Jersey Films, who bought the rights to Brockovich’s story in 1995.

How much did the Brokovich case cost?

The $333 million settlement they received is the largest of its kind in the history of the United States. The story of Brokovich’s life and involvement in the case was the subject of the 2000 film Erin Brockovich, which starred Julia Roberts in the title role. Since the film’s release, Erin Brockovich has continued to work as a consumer advocate ...

When did Brockovich and Brown get divorced?

However, their marriage eventually fell apart, and they were divorced in 1987.

How much did the movie "Brockovich" earn?

The movie was a major critical and commercial success, earning more than $250 million worldwide and receiving multiple Academy Award nominations. For her performance as Brockovich, Roberts won the award for Best Actress.

Who is Erin Brockovich's husband?

Erin Brockovich. Environmental activist from the United States. Erika Jayne. American singer, actress and television personality. Explore the topics mentioned in this article. Tom Girardi, the real-life “Erin Brockovich” attorney and husband to “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne, ...

Why did Tom Girardi lose his license?

Tom Girardi, the real-life “Erin Brockovich” attorney and husband to “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne, has lost his law license as the apparent result of an ongoing conservatorship case.

Did Erika Jayne divorce Tom Girardi?

Also Read: 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Star Erika Jayne Files for Divorce From Tom Girardi. In December, Girardi’s once-esteemed downtown Los Angeles law firm, Girardi Keese, fell apart as evidence mounted that he had stolen or misappropriated more than $13 million in settlements, according to the Los Angeles Times.

How much did Erin Brockovich make in 2000?

Erin Brockovich was released on March 17, 2000, in 2,848 theaters and grossed $28.1 million on its opening weekend. It went on to make $126.6 million in North America and $130.7 million in the rest of the world for a worldwide total of $257.3 million.

Who wrote Erin Brockovich?

Erin Brockovich is a 2000 American biographical legal drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Susannah Grant.

Who is the waitress in Traffic?

Soderbergh received a separate Best Director nomination for Traffic, another film released that same year, which he won. Early in the film, the real Erin Brockovich has a cameo appearance as a waitress named Julia; the real Ed Masry also appears in the same scene.

Was Brockovich ever Miss Wichita?

Brockovich had never been Miss Wichita; she had been Miss Pacific Coast. According to Brockovich, this detail was deliberately changed by Soderbergh as he thought it was "cute" to have her be beauty queen of the region from which she came. The "not so good employee" that met Brockovich in the bar was Chuck Ebersohl.

Who was the not so good employee in the movie?

He told Erin about the documents that he and Lillian Melendez had been tasked by PG&E to destroy. Jorge Halaby, played by Aaron Eckhart in the film, along with Brockovich's ex-husband Shawn Brown alleged that she had an affair with Masry.

Is Erin Brockovich compelling?

However, film critic Roger Ebert gave the film a two-star review, writing, "There is obviously a story here, but Erin Brockovich doesn't make it compelling. The film lacks focus and energy, the character development is facile and thin".

How much did Brockovich get from the settlement?

Brockovich’s attorneys received 133.6 million dollars from the settlement, while Brockovich herself received two million as a bonus. However, in the real story, Brockovich’s attorneys held onto her portion of the money for six months. They finally paid her portion after she threatened several lawsuits.

What is the real Erin Brockovich?

The real Erin was the youngest of four children born in Lawrence, Kansas. After earning an Associate degree in Applied Arts from Wade College in Dallas, Texas, she moved to California in 1982.

Why did Erin Brockovich become a household name?

Over time, Erin realized that she could use her notoriety to spread positive messages of personal empowerment and to encourage others to stand up and make a difference.

What was Erin Brockovich's first TV show?

Her first TV project was ABC’s 2001 special “Challenge America With Erin Brockovich” where she helped motivate and organize the rebuilding of a dilapidated park in downtown Manhattan. This show is best described as “Extreme Make-Over Home Edition” on steroids.

Where does Erin Brockovich live?

Erin lives in Southern California with her husband, three children and 5 Pomeranians and admits to one guilty pleasure… shopping! When KMBC broke the story about a cluster of brain tumors in Cameron, it drew national attention. One of those taking notice was well-known environmental activist Erin Brockovich.

How many seasons did Erin Brockovich host Final Justice?

Then, for three seasons, Erin hosted the Lifetime series, “Final Justice With Erin Brockovich”. The show celebrated everyday women who triumphed when faced with overwhelming adversity.Erin Brockovich has conquered all forms of media….

Who was the lawyer who played Girl Friday?

The estate of Edward L. Masry, the lawyer Erin Brockovitch clerked for and played Girl Friday to (resulting in the largest single class settlement in American history, against Pacific Gas & Electric), sued Masry's former place of employment into Chapter 11.

How much did Masry and Vititoe spend on defense?

Masry & Vititoe—sans Masry, who died in 2005—claim to have spent over $3M defending themselves against charges from Masry's estate, stemming from a decision that awarded control of a trust to Masry's kids, away from his wife. The trust held interests in the firm.

What happened to Brockovich in 2012?

In 2012, Brockovich became involved in a mysterious case where 14 students from LeRoy, New York, reported perplexing medical symptoms such as speech difficulty and tics.

How much did Erin Brockovich settle for?

Her successful lawsuit was settled for US$333 million, the largest settlement paid in an American direct-action lawsuit till date. Her association with the case became the subject of the 2000 biographical movie ‘Erin Brockovich.’.

What was the case against Prime Tanning Corporation?

In 2007, the school district demanded $450,000 as reimbursement for legal expenses. In April 2009, Brockovich filed a case against Prime Tanning Corporation located in St. Joseph, Missouri. In this case, she accused the corporation of distributing waste sludge to the farmers to use as fertilizer on their fields.

Where is Erin Brockovich from?

Personal Life. Erin Brockovich was born as Erin Pattee on June 22, 1960 in Lawrence, Kansas, the USA. Her father Frank Pattee was an industrial engineer as well as a football player while her mother, Betty Jo, served as a journalist. Brockovich was raised alongside her two brothers Frank Jr. and Thomas, and a sister Jodie.

Where was the Whitman Corporation lawsuit settled?

One case accused the Whitman Corporation of chromium contamination in the city of Willits, California. Another lawsuit alleged contamination near PG&E's compressor station in Kings County California. The latter of the cases was settled in 2006 for $335 million.

How much did Masry and Vititoe settle?

The case was settled in 1996 for $333 million and Masry & Vititoe received US$133.6 million of that settlement. Also, Brockovich got a bonus of $2.5 million. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company litigation case is popular till date as it generated the largest settlement ever paid in any direct-action lawsuit in the U.S.

Overview

Other litigation

Working with Edward L. Masry, a lawyer based in Thousand Oaks, California, Brockovich went on to participate in other anti-pollution lawsuits. One suit accused the Whitman Corporation of chromium contamination in Willits, California. Another, which listed 1,200 plaintiffs, alleged contamination near PG&E's Kettleman Hills compressor station in Kings County, California, along the same pipeline as the Hinkley site. The Kettleman suit was settled for $335 million in 2006.

Early life

Brockovich was born Erin Pattee in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Betty Jo (born O'Neal; c. 1923–2008), a journalist, and Frank Pattee (1924–2011), an industrial engineer and football player. She has two brothers, Frank Jr. and Thomas (1954–1992), and a sister, Jodie. She graduated from Lawrence High School, then attended Kansas State University, in Manhattan, Kansas, and graduated with an Associate in Applied Arts Degree from Wade College in Dallas, Texas.

Pacific Gas & Electric litigation

The case (Anderson, et al. v. Pacific Gas & Electric, file BCV 00300) alleged contamination of drinking water with hexavalent chromium (also written as "chromium VI", "Cr-VI" or "Cr-6") in the town of Hinkley, near Barstow in southern California. At the center of the case was a facility, the Hinkley compressor station, built in 1952 as a part of a natural-gas pipeline connecting to the San Francisco Bay Area. Between 1952 and 1966, PG&E used hexavalent chromium in a cooling tow…

Awards

• Honorary Doctor of Laws and commencement speaker at Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, Oregon, in May 2005
• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters and commencement speaker at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California, on May 5, 2007
• Honorary Master of Arts, Business Communication, from Jones International University, Centennial, Colorado

Movies and television

Brockovich's work in bringing litigation against Pacific Gas & Electric was the focus of the 2000 feature film, Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts in the title role. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Writing in a Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich. Erin Brockovich herself ha…

Books and articles

Brockovich's first book, Take It from Me: Life's a Struggle But You Can Win (ISBN 978-0071383790), was published in 2001. A second book, Superman's Not Coming, was released on August 25, 2020.
In 2021, Brockovich wrote about hormone-disrupting chemicals (such as PFAS) decimating human fertility at an alarming rate.

Personal life

Brockovich has three children: a son Matthew and a daughter Katie from her first marriage to Shawn Brown, and a daughter Elizabeth "Beth" from her second marriage to Steven Brockovich. Her third husband was an actor and country music DJ, Eric L. Ellis. As of 2016, Brockovich resides in Agoura Hills, California, in a house she purchased in 1996 with her US$2.5 million bonus after the Hinkley settlement.

Who Is Erin Brockovich?

Image
While working as a file clerk at a Los Angeles law firm in 1992, Erin Brockovich uncovered documents that ultimately led to more than 600 residents of Hinkley, California, filing a lawsuit against utility giant PG&E. The $333 million settlement they received is the largest of its kind in the history of the United States. The stor…
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Early Life

  • Brockovich was born Erin Pattee in Lawrence, Kansas, on June 22, 1960. The youngest of four children, she grew up in a tightknit middle-class family. Her father was an industrial engineer, and her mother was a journalist. Diagnosed as dyslexic at a young age, Erin was not a particularly good student. After graduating high school in 1978, Brockovich briefly attended Kansas State Un…
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Hinkley and Hollywood

  • Shortly after her divorce, Brockovich was involved in a severe car accident that necessitated her having neck surgery. She then moved to Los Angeles’s San Fernando Valley, where she was referred by a friend to the law firm Masry & Vititoe, whom she hired to represent her in her accident case. Brokovich was eventually awarded a small settlement, but...
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Movie Starring Julia Roberts

  • Released in 2000, the film Erin Brockovichstars Roberts as Brockovich and Albert Finney as Masry in a mostly accurate recounting of the Hinkley lawsuit. It also features a cameo by Brockovich herself, who appears briefly onscreen as a waitress. The movie was a major critical and commercial success, earning more than $250 million worldwide and receiving multiple Academ…
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Fame and Consumer Advocacy

  • The success of the film made Brockovich famous, and in the years since its release she has used that fame to various ends. In 2001 she published the book Take It from Me: Life’s a Struggle But You Can Win, which became a New York Times bestseller, and was also the host of a Lifetime series called Final Justice with Erin Brockovich as well as the ABC special Challenge America wi…
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Overview

Erin Brockovich is a 2000 American biographical legal drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Susannah Grant. The film is a dramatization of the true story of Erin Brockovich, portrayed by Julia Roberts, who fought against the energy corporation Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) regarding its culpability for the Hinkley groundwater contamination incident. The film was a box-office success, and gained a positive critical reaction.

Accuracy

On her website, Brockovich says the film is "probably 98% accurate". While the general facts of the story are accurate, there are some minor discrepancies between actual events and the movie, as well as a number of controversial and disputed issues more fundamental to the case. In the film, Erin Brockovich appears to deliberately use her cleavage to seduce the water board attendant to allow her to access the documents. Brockovich has acknowledged that her cleavage may have h…

Plot

In 1993, Erin Brockovich is an unemployed single mother of three children who has recently been injured in a traffic accident with a doctor and is suing him. Her lawyer, Ed Masry, expects to win, but Erin's confrontational courtroom behavior under cross-examination loses her the case, and Ed will not return her phone calls afterwards. One day, he arrives at work to find her in the office, apparently working. She says that he told her things would work out and they did not, and that s…

Cast

• Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich
• Albert Finney as Edward L. Masry
• Aaron Eckhart as George, Erin's biker boyfriend
• Marg Helgenberger as Donna Jensen

Production

The film was shot over eleven weeks, five weeks of that taking place in Ventura, California.
Erin Brockovich performed well with test audiences but executives at Universal Studios were worried that audiences would be turned off by the title character's use of profane language.

Reception

Erin Brockovich was released on March 17, 2000, in 2,848 theaters and grossed $28.1 million on its opening weekend. It went on to make $126.6 million in North America and $130.7 million in the rest of the world for a worldwide total of $257.3 million.
On review website Rotten Tomatoes Erin Brockovich holds an approval rating of 85% based on 150 reviews, with an average rating of 7.50/10. The critics consensus reads, "Taking full advantage o…

External links

• Erin Brockovich at IMDb
• Erin Brockovich at the TCM Movie Database
• Erin Brockovich at AllMovie
• Erin Brockovich at Box Office Mojo