The Tom Girardi Scandal: Accountability for All Attorneys

The recent sentencing of former celebrity attorney Tom Girardi has sent shockwaves through the legal world. Once renowned for high-profile cases, including his lawsuit against PG&E over groundwater contamination, which inspired the film Erin Brockovich, Girardi built a reputation as a champion for the underdog. But behind that public image was a pattern of deceit. He will now serve over seven years in federal prison for stealing tens of millions of dollars in settlement funds from vulnerable clients.

Among those who testified against him were burn survivors from the catastrophic 2010 San Bruno gas pipeline explosion, as well as a woman whose husband was killed in a tragic boating accident. These individuals suffered enormous personal loss.

Attorney Maria Bourn of Gomerman | Bourn & Associates appeared on Fox News to share her perspective, not as someone involved in the case, but as an advocate for attorney accountability and ethical legal practice. 

Watch the full Fox News interview with Maria to learn more about how the legal system is responding and why reform matters.

Reflecting on the betrayal experienced by Girardi’s former clients, Attorney Maria Bourn said,

“He held a deep level of trust. These clients came to him to help them in their lowest parts of their life. And he took advantage of that, stole their money. And the prison sentence he received will never right the wrongs that he did.”

In response to questions about systemic failures and what reforms have followed the Girardi scandal, she added,

“There have been actions to try to correct this wrong, to make it better, to make sure that attorneys are held accountable when they steal from their clients.”

Maria also pointed to recent State Bar reforms aimed at strengthening oversight, including new training requirements and stricter rules around how client funds are managed.

“Now everybody, all the attorneys at my firm, have to have training on handling of client funds, and we have to report it. There’s just a lot more oversight from the State Bar regarding these matters.”

The Girardi case serves as a reminder that reputation alone should not be the measure of trust in the legal system. True accountability, ethical practices, and transparent oversight are essential to protect clients and restore confidence in the profession.