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Patrick McNicholas, Civil Rights Attorney in Los Angeles, California

focused on Civil Rights, Employment, and Litigation

Trusted civil rights attorney serving Los Angeles.

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Quick answer

Patrick McNicholas is an attorney based in Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Employment, and Litigation. Currently practicing at McNicholas & McNicholas LLP.

Based in
Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
Experience
attorney
Known for
Civil Rights · Employment · Litigation
  • Handles Civil Rights, Employment, and Litigation matters from Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA.
  • Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Civil Rights Law (2026).

About Patrick McNicholas: Patrick McNicholas is an attorney based in Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Employment, and Litigation. Currently practicing at McNicholas & McNicholas LLP.

Areas of practice

Patrick's practice areas in Los Angeles

Patrick concentrates on civil rights, employment, litigation, personal injury, and product liability. Each area below outlines the kind of case Patrick handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Civil Rights cases in Los Angeles, California

Patrick takes civil rights matters in Los Angeles, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Patrick agrees to represent you.

Employment cases in Los Angeles, California

Patrick takes employment matters in Los Angeles, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Patrick agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in Los Angeles, California

Patrick takes litigation matters in Los Angeles, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Patrick agrees to represent you.

Personal Injury cases in Los Angeles, California

Patrick takes personal injury matters in Los Angeles, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Patrick agrees to represent you.

Product Liability cases in Los Angeles, California

Patrick takes product liability matters in Los Angeles, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Patrick agrees to represent you.

Biography

Patrick McNicholas, civil rights attorney serving Los Angeles

Patrick McNicholas is an attorney based in Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Employment, and Litigation. Currently practicing at McNicholas & McNicholas LLP. Patrick works from Los Angeles, California and takes on civil rights matters across the region.

With more than 25 years’ experience as a trial lawyer, Partner Patrick McNicholas exclusively represents victims in catastrophic injury, product liability, sexual assault and other consumer-oriented matters, such as civil rights and aviation disasters.

Mr. McNicholas has tried and settled numerous noteworthy cases, including a $44 million settlement for air crash victims, a $10.8 million jury verdict awarded to a minor molested by a school teacher, a $10 million jury verdict to a construction worker who suffered a compound femur fracture, a $6 million settlement on behalf of a family for the death of their father while working in an MTA tunnel, and many more.

Mr. McNicholas has authored a multitude of articles on various topics from the “Effective Use of Your Expert Witnesses” to “Preparing an Employment Case for Trial.” He serves on the Board of Directors for Urban Compass, an organization he co-founded that works tirelessly to provide a continuum of stability and support through education for kids living in the inner city.

Among his scholarly endeavors, Mr. McNicholas served as Student Body President at his alma mater, University of San Francisco, and was an intern with the White House prior to law school. Mr. McNicholas has also been a guest lecturer at Pepperdine University and has taught Trial Advocacy at Whittier College School of Law.

How Patrick handles civil rights matters

With more than 25 years’ experience as a trial lawyer, Partner Patrick McNicholas exclusively represents victims in catastrophic injury, product liability, sexual assault and other consumer-oriented matters, such as civil rights and aviation disasters. Mr. McNicholas has tried and settled numerous noteworthy cases, including a $44 million settlement for air crash victims, a $10.8 million jury…

The kind of cases Patrick takes

Patrick reviews new inquiries case-by-case for civil rights, employment, and litigation matters in Los Angeles and the surrounding California area.

Credentials

Credentials — where Patrick studied and practices

  • University of the Pacific

    — · 1986

  • University of San Francisco

Patrick studied at — in University of the Pacific and — in University of San Francisco.

Law school and academic background

Patrick completed — in University of the Pacific and — in University of San Francisco. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Patrick runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Patrick's legal honors and published work

Patrick has received 11 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Best Lawyers in America — Civil Rights Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Individuals

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Awards:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — U.S. News – Best Lawyers

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — “Best Law Firms”

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Southern California Super Lawyers

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 Lawyers

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Best Lawyers in America — Civil Rights Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Individuals (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026).

Locations

Patrick McNicholas's office in Los Angeles

Patrick's primary office is at 10866 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, California, 10866. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

McNicholas & McNicholas LLP

10866 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1400

Los Angeles, California 10866

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Patrick McNicholas

Patrick has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Patrick McNicholas — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new civil rights attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Patrick usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Patrick charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Patrick's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Patrick will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a civil rights attorney in Los Angeles, California

A short list to run through before you commit: How many civil rights matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Patrick

Patrick discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in civil rights practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every civil rights matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Patrick confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Patrick's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many civil rights practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Patrick McNicholas

  • How much does it cost to hire Patrick for a civil rights case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Patrick walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Patrick offer a free consultation?

    Patrick charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Patrick's office. Some civil rights attorneys offer free consults — check Patrick's current terms during booking.

  • How long do civil rights cases in California typically take?

    Simple civil rights matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Patrick gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Patrick take my case if I'm outside Los Angeles?

    Patrick is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Patrick will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Patrick?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Patrick will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Patrick accepting new civil rights clients right now?

    Patrick's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Civil Rights attorneys serving Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego in California

Patrick handles civil rights matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified civil rights attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Patrick's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these civil rights attorneys in Los Angeles handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.