Early Life and Education
Thomas Vincent Girardi was born on June 3, 1939, in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Loyola High School in Los Angeles in 1957 and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1961. He completed his J.D. at Loyola Law School in 1964 and received an LL.M. from New York University in 1965.
Career
Thomas Girardi co-founded the law firm Girardi & Keese in downtown Los Angeles, which closed in 2020. He gained prominence for securing a $1 million-plus award in a medical malpractice case in California and has been involved in major lawsuits against companies like Boeing, Merck, and PG&E. His work on the Hinkley water contamination case was depicted in the film "Erin Brockovich". Thomas Girardi was inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2003 and was named “Lawyer of the Decade” in 2018.
Legal Troubles and Disbarment
In 2020, a federal judge froze Thomas Girardi assets over allegations of misappropriating client funds. By 2021, he faced numerous lawsuits and complaints related to financial misconduct. In March 2021, the California State Bar changed his status to "not eligible to practice law," and on June 1, 2022, he was officially disbarred. A federal jury found him guilty of wire fraud and embezzlement in August 2024.
Personal Life
Thomas Girardi married Karen Weitzul in 1964, and they divorced in 1983. He then married Kathy Risner in 1993, who passed away in 2018. In 2000, Thomas Girardi married Erika Jayne, a reality TV star. They separated in November 2020. Thomas Girardi was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in March 2021 and has been under conservatorship since then, with his brother Robert serving as the permanent conservator.
Thomas Girardi Health and Memory Loss
Thomas Girardi health has been a concern in recent years. In early 2021, he was placed under a temporary conservatorship due to issues with short-term memory loss. Later that year, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which significantly affected his cognitive abilities. By July 2021, his brother Robert took over as his permanent conservator to manage his affairs. Girardi’s health problems have overshadowed his career and legal troubles, leading to his withdrawal from public life and ongoing legal issues.
FAQs
1. What is Thomas Girardi age?
- Thomas Girardi was born on June 3, 1939, making him 85 years old as of 2024.
2. What was Thomas Girardi profession?
- Thomas Girardi was a prominent attorney and co-founder of the law firm Girardi & Keese.
3. Where did Thomas Girardi receive his education?
- Girardi graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 1961, earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1964, and completed his LL.M. at New York University in 1965.
4. What are some of Thomas Girardi notable career achievements?
- Girardi is known for securing a $1 million-plus award in a medical malpractice case, negotiating a $4.85 billion settlement for Merck's Vioxx, and being inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2003.
5. What businesses or organizations did Thomas Girardi support?
- He endowed the Thomas V. Girardi Chair in Consumer Protection Law and supported the construction of the Albert H. Girardi Advocacy Center at Loyola Law School.
6. Does Thomas Girardi have any siblings?
- Information about his siblings is not widely documented, but he had a brother named Robert, who became his conservator.
7. What is Thomas Girardi nationality?
- Thomas Girardi is American.
8. Who was Thomas Girardi married to?
- He was married to Karen Weitzul (1964–1983), Kathy Risner (1993–1998), and Erika Jayne (2000–2020).
9. What are some of Thomas Girardi major crimes?
- Thomas Girardi was found guilty of wire fraud and embezzling millions from clients in August 2024. He was also accused of misappropriating client funds and faced multiple lawsuits for financial misconduct.
10. Has Thomas Girardi been arrested?
- Thomas Girardi was not specifically arrested but faced legal action, including asset freezes and disbarment, due to his financial crimes.
11. What is Thomas Girardi net worth?
- His exact net worth is not publicly detailed, but his financial troubles, including the bankruptcy of his law firm and legal judgments against him, indicate a significant decrease in wealth.
12. What kind of businesses did Thomas Girardi manage?
- He co-founded and managed the law firm Girardi & Keese, which specialized in high-profile legal cases.
13. What were some of Thomas Girardi notable cases?
- Notable cases include the Hinkley water contamination lawsuit and the Vioxx settlement.
14. What were Thomas Girardi accomplishments in the legal field?
- His accomplishments include being named “Lawyer of the Decade” for 2018 and serving on the California Judicial Council.
15. What happened to Thomas Girardi law firm?
- Girardi & Keese faced bankruptcy, with over $500 million in claims as of January 2024, and the firm was closed in 2020.
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