Podcast

Law360 Explores: A Low Bar In California

(December 2, 2021, 1:11 PM EST) -- Tom Girardi allegedly grifted clients for years and got away with it. But how? In Episode 2 of our podcast exploring the downfall of Girardi, we dig into the conditions at the State Bar of California that allowed wrongdoing to go unchecked.

With the new season of our podcast, Law360 Explores: The Fall of Tom Girardi, investigative reporter Brandon Lowrey, managing editor Amber McKinney and producer Steven Trader break down how Girardi became the king of the California litigation world while hiding his alleged exploitation of explosion survivors, widows and orphans of plane crash victims, and other vulnerable clients.

In Episode 1, we covered all you need to know about Girardi's rise to prominence. 

In our second episode, we dig into the flaws in the systems meant to hold attorneys accountable that let Girardi escape public punishment for decades.

Brandon tells us about the extensive investigation he led for Law360 — interviewing more than 50 sources and examining thousands of pages of records obtained from courts and the State Bar of California.

Brandon explains that just how Girardi got away with it is complicated. He was able to exploit key legal, structural and cultural flaws in the system designed to root out bad attorneys. We discuss Girardi's main tools: a lack of candor, a cozy relationship with the State Bar of California, and a reputation as a legal titan that he wielded to avoid scrutiny. 

Listen now to both episodes to hear the full story of the fall of Tom Girardi. You can also find the show on Apple PodcastsStitcherSpotify or iHeartRadio, or just search "Law360" wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you like the show, please leave us five stars and a written review wherever you listen to spread the word!

For a reprint of this article, please contact reprints@law360.com.

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