A resident sent the listing of Law Firms that had been mentioned in a WhatsAppChat. If a resident has wondered about filing a claim, here is a list that Roseanne Landay has compiled. It is based off firms she identified through WhatsApp and is not comprehensive (i.e., there likely are other firms that she didn’t identify).
Circling the News does not recommend any specific law firm, and each resident must make their own decision about filing and if they do, with whom. But to file a claim against the City, a resident has six months from the fire date to file, which would be July 7.
List of Law Firms Mentioned in Palisades Fire WhatsApp Chat
Below is an updated and comprehensive list of law firms involved in the Palisades Fire cases, including distinguishing features, groupings, and relevant resources. This includes all firms identified as actively filing or representing clients, not just the most prominent, and notes on how they are working together or differ in approach. Alex Cohen/ACTS Law is not included per your instructions.
Key Law Firms and Groupings
| Firm/Group Name | Notable Attorneys | Role/Approach | Distinguishing Features |
| Robertson, Foley, Bezek, Behle & Curtis, LLP / Gandhi Law Group | Alexander Robertson IV, Robert Curtis, Roger Behle, Kevin Gamarnik, Jay Gandhi | Liaison Counsel for Individual Plaintiffs; represent the largest group (1,200+ plaintiffs); leading pretrial coordination, discovery, and trial prep; focus on both power line and water system failures (inverse condemnation, negligence); strong trial posture but open to mediation; Gandhi adds judicial/mediation expertise | Court-appointed liaison; largest group; highly collaborative; deep trial and complex litigation experience; Gandhi’s presence may facilitate settlement and strategic negotiations |
| few a Boyle Law PC | Kevin Boyle, Matthew Stumpf | Liaison Counsel, large group, mass torts | Boutique firm, direct fire victim, strong prior wildfire litigation record, partnered with Parris Law for intake, focus on both water and power claims[1][2] |
| McNulty Law Firm | Peter McNulty, Brett Rosenthal | Liaison Counsel, mass torts | Experienced in wildfire and disaster litigation, individualized damages foc hip us, part of court-appointed leadership[1][2] |
| Foley Bezek Behle Curtis, LLP | Robert Curtis, Roger Behle, Kevin Gamarnik | Liaison Couns in el, teamed with Robertson | Mass torts, trial-oriented, court-appointed leadership[1][2] |
| Parris Law Firm | R. Rex Parris | Intake partner for Boyle Law, mass torts | Large group representation, focus on LADWP drought management and infrastructure issues, not direct lead but key intake and support[1][2] |
| Frantz Law Gr oup | James Frantz | Steering Committee, mass torts | Wildfire trial specialist, focus on LADWP’s compliance with fire code and water flow, involved in Maui fire litigation, referenced by Law Office of Mychal as a resource and collaborator[1][2][3] |
| Cutter Law P.C. | Brooks Cutter, John Roussas | Steering Committee, mass torts | Wildfire litigation veterans, handled Maui fires, group with Law Office of Mychal for Palisades intake/education, known for deep resources and experience[3] |
| Law Office of Mychal | Mychal Wilson | Community education, intake/liaison | Not leading cases for Palisades, but working with and referring to Cutter Law and Frantz Law Group, provides webinars and legal education, helps residents connect with experienced firms, not a primary litigator here[3] |
| Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack | Walter Lack, Dan Whalen | Steering Committee, mass torts | Veteran firm, known for large-scale fire litigation, part of leadership group[1] |
| Wolf Wallenstein, PC | Ellen Wolf | Steering Committee, mass torts | Focus on complex litigation, part of leadership group[1] |
| Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP | Chris Tayback, others | Individual cases, high-profile pleadings | Large national firm, filed detailed complaints emphasizing human impact, inverse condemnation focus[4] |
| Adler Law Group | Noted in filings | Individual cases | Focus on inverse condemnation, smaller group representation[2][1] |
| Wood Law Firm | E. Kirk Wood | Liaison/Steering Committee | Out-of-state expertise, part of leadership group[1] |
| Law Offices of Rozsa Gyene | Rozsa Gyene | Individual cases | Represents smaller groups, property-specific claims[1] |
Law Office of Mychal Active Support
- Law Office of Mychal is not leading Palisades cases but is working closely with Cutter Law P.C. and referencing Frantz Law Group as the trial attorneys for Palisades fire victims. Mychal provides legal education, webinars, and intake, helping residents connect with experienced wildfire litigators. He is not acting as lead counsel but is a community resource and liaison[3].
- Cutter Law P.C.: The primary litigation partner for Mychal’s referrals, with prior experience in Maui and Northern California fires, and a strong reputation for mass torts.
- Frantz Law Group: Referenced by Mychal as a “great guy” and “notable wildfire trial attorney,” also involved in Palisades litigation and Maui fire settlements[3].
Vimeo Recordings and Webinars by Law Office of Mychal
- April 2025 Webinar with Cutter Law and Frantz Law Group – Covers legal strategy, what to ask lawyers, and key deadlines[3].
- May 2025 Webinar Recording – Further Q&A on litigation, insurance, and community legal strategy[3].
Other Firms Involved in Palisades Fire Litigation
- Robertson Associates, LLP (Alex Robertson, IV): Large group, court-appointed leadership, mass torts[1][2].
- Foley Bezek Behle Curtis, LLP: Teamed with Robertson, leadership role[1][2].
- Boyle Law PC: Large group, direct fire victim, intake via Parris Law[1][2].
- McNulty Law Firm: Leadership, mass torts, individualized claims[1][2].
- Parris Law Firm: Intake for Boyle, infrastructure focus[1][2].
- Frantz Law Group: Steering Committee, code compliance focus, referenced by Mychal[3][1].
- Cutter Law P.C.: Steering Committee, wildfire litigation, partnered with Mychal for Palisades[3].
- Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack: Steering, veteran fire litigation[1].
- Wolf Wallenstein, PC: Steering, complex litigation[1].
- Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP: High-profile, individual cases, national resources[4].
- Adler Law Group: Inverse condemnation, smaller group[2][1].
- Wood Law Firm: Liaison/Steering, out-of-state expertise[1].
- Law Offices of Rozsa Gyene: Individual cases, property-specific[1].
What to Ask When Interviewing Wildfire Lawyers
When evaluating which law firm to retain, consider these key questions (drawn from group discussions, webinars, and legal expert advice):
- Experience & Track Record
- How many wildfire cases have you handled, and what were the outcomes?
- Are you currently representing clients in the Palisades Fire litigation? If so, how many?
- Are you involved in the leadership (liaison or steering committee) for these consolidated cases?
- Legal Strategy
- Are you pursuing mass torts, class actions, or individual claims?
- What legal theories are you advancing (inverse condemnation, negligence, code violations, etc.)?
- Are you aiming for early mediation/settlement or preparing for trial? Why?
- Fees & Costs
- What is your contingency fee (standard is 25% for mass torts, higher for insurance bad faith)?
- What costs (experts, discovery, etc.) will I be responsible for, and are there caps or authorizations required?
- Will you assist with insurance claims or FEMA applications as part of your representation?
- Client Communication & Support
- How will you keep me updated on my case?
- Who will be my primary point of contact?
- How many clients are you representing, and how do you ensure personalized attention?
- Coordination & Resources
- Are you collaborating with other firms? If so, how are responsibilities and fees divided?
- Will my case be handled by your firm or referred out?
- Do you have the resources to go to trial if necessary?
- Settlement & Distribution
- How are settlements negotiated and distributed among plaintiffs?
- Can you explain how mediation or trial outcomes are allocated?
- What happens if my damages are different from others in the group?
- Client Rights & Flexibility
- Can I pursue claims against multiple defendants (e.g., LADWP and County) with different firms?
- What happens if I want to change lawyers or strategies later?
- References & Transparency
- Can you provide references from past wildfire clients?
- Will you provide a sample retainer agreement for review?
Tip: All fee agreements are negotiable. Ask for cost caps, step-deal fee structures, and clear explanations of all terms before signing[3].
Summary Table of Key Firms
| Firm/Group | Leadership Role | Mass Tort | Class Action | Intake/Referral | Insurance Claims | Notable Features |
| Robertson, Foley, Bezek, Behle & Curtis, Gandhi Law Group | Liaison | Yes | No | No | Limited | Largest group, court-appointed leadership[1][2] |
| Boyle Law PC | Liaison | Yes | No | Yes (via Parris) | Limited | Boutique, direct fire victim, trial focus[1][2] |
| McNulty Law Firm | Liaison | Yes | No | No | Limited | Individualized claims, leadership[1][2] |
| Parris Law Firm | Intake | Yes | No | Yes (for Boyle) | No | Infrastructure focus, large group[1][2] |
| Frantz Law Group | Steering | Yes | No | No | Limited | Wildfire specialist, referenced by Mychal[3][1] |
| Cutter Law P.C. | Steering | Yes | No | No | Limited | Wildfire specialist, partnered with Mychal[3] |
| Law Office of Mychal | Intake/Education | No | No | Yes (to Cutter/Frantz) | No | Webinars, legal education, not lead counsel[3] |
| Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack | Steering | Yes | No | No | No | Veteran firm, leadership[1] |
| Wolf Wallenstein, PC | Steering | Yes | No | No | No | Complex litigation, leadership[1] |
| Quinn Emanuel | Individual | Yes | No | No | No | High-profile, national resources[4] |
| Adler Law Group | Individual | Yes | No | No | No | Inverse condemnation, smaller group[2][1] |
| Wood Law Firm | Liaison/Steering | Yes | No | No | No | Out-of-state expertise[1] |
| Law Offices of Rozsa Gyene | Individual | Yes | No | No | No | Property-specific claims[1] |
Webinar and Recording Links (Law Office of Mychal)
These recordings cover legal strategies, what to ask lawyers, and updates on Palisades Fire litigation[3].
If you are a fire victim:
- Interview multiple firms, ask the above questions, and review all fee agreements carefully.
- Consider whether you want a firm with a large group for leverage, or a smaller firm for personalized attention.
- Ensure your chosen firm is actually litigating (not just referring) and is transparent about costs, strategy, and communication.
Act quickly: The statute of limitations for government claims is six months from the fire date. Do not delay in seeking counsel and filing claims[3].
Hi Sue, thank you for this descriptive article. It might be important to bold, highlight, or make a headline the “six month statute of limitations”. Most people do not realize the urgency needed to file a case now. Palisades is different from Altadena since they have a two year deadline.