Former Federal Judge Jay Gandhi Joins Lawsuit Against LADWP for Pacific Palisades Fire Accountability
In a significant turn of events for the victims of the devastating 2025 Pacific Palisades fire, former federal judge Jay C. Gandhi has stepped into the legal fray. Announcing his collaboration with Robertson & Associates, LLP and Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis, LLP, Judge Gandhi aims to hold the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) responsible for the extensive damages and personal injuries caused by this catastrophic event. The Palisades Fire, which erupted on January 7, 2025, has already been recorded as the worst urban inferno in Los Angeles's history. The blaze wreaked havoc, destroying or damaging approximately 7,810 homes and businesses across Pacific Palisades and Malibu, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 civilian lives.
Judge Gandhi brings a wealth of legal expertise to this case. His history is filled with notable roles: from being a partner at Paul Hastings LLP, a U.S. Magistrate Judge in California's Central District, to currently serving as a mediator and arbitrator at JAMS. Known for his commitment to civic duty and justice, Gandhi has previously worked on important community-related legal matters, including being appointed as a settlement monitor for a landmark homelessness settlement in Los Angeles. He also served on the Advisory Committee for Building Trust and Equity in the LAPD after the tragic murder of George Floyd.
The ongoing legal battle addresses claims from over 750 homeowners and business owners devastated by the fire. With 12 lawsuits already filed and more anticipated, the legal teams representing the victims aim to bring justice and recovery to those affected. In his statement, Judge Gandhi emphasized the responsibility of the city, declaring: "The Palisades didn't burn; the City of Los Angeles allowed the town to burn -- to turn my home into a pile of ashes and destroy my family's life."
Further highlighting the systemic failures leading to the wildfire, he pointed out the neglect of known risks, inadequate management of power lines, overgrown vegetation, and insufficient fire response measures, urging the necessity for accountability. Gandhi's past mediation success in wildfire settlements, including those related to the Butte Fire and the Woolsey Fire, only reinforces his qualifications for this complex case.
Alex "Trey" Robertson IV, the co-lead counsel, has experience representing thousands of wildfire victims in previous catastrophic events like the Thomas Fire and Woolsey Fire. The firms involved have collectively recovered significant amounts for their clients, underlining their commitment to seek justice for those affected.
This pressing legal action not only seeks to hold LADWP accountable but also aims at shedding light on the need for improved infrastructural safety measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. As this lawsuit unfolds, it serves as a crucial reminder of the far-reaching impacts of climate change and the failures of urban management. A press conference will take place outside Judge Gandhi's own destroyed home, where he will engage with the media and discuss the pressing need for justice on behalf of all affected individuals.
In closing, the pursuit of legal accountability in response to the Pacific Palisades fire serves as an important reminder of the roles and responsibilities that city authorities must uphold, especially as communities face the increasing threat of wildfires in the era of climate change.
Judge Gandhi brings a wealth of legal expertise to this case. His history is filled with notable roles: from being a partner at Paul Hastings LLP, a U.S. Magistrate Judge in California's Central District, to currently serving as a mediator and arbitrator at JAMS. Known for his commitment to civic duty and justice, Gandhi has previously worked on important community-related legal matters, including being appointed as a settlement monitor for a landmark homelessness settlement in Los Angeles. He also served on the Advisory Committee for Building Trust and Equity in the LAPD after the tragic murder of George Floyd.
The ongoing legal battle addresses claims from over 750 homeowners and business owners devastated by the fire. With 12 lawsuits already filed and more anticipated, the legal teams representing the victims aim to bring justice and recovery to those affected. In his statement, Judge Gandhi emphasized the responsibility of the city, declaring: "The Palisades didn't burn; the City of Los Angeles allowed the town to burn -- to turn my home into a pile of ashes and destroy my family's life."
Further highlighting the systemic failures leading to the wildfire, he pointed out the neglect of known risks, inadequate management of power lines, overgrown vegetation, and insufficient fire response measures, urging the necessity for accountability. Gandhi's past mediation success in wildfire settlements, including those related to the Butte Fire and the Woolsey Fire, only reinforces his qualifications for this complex case.
Alex "Trey" Robertson IV, the co-lead counsel, has experience representing thousands of wildfire victims in previous catastrophic events like the Thomas Fire and Woolsey Fire. The firms involved have collectively recovered significant amounts for their clients, underlining their commitment to seek justice for those affected.
This pressing legal action not only seeks to hold LADWP accountable but also aims at shedding light on the need for improved infrastructural safety measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. As this lawsuit unfolds, it serves as a crucial reminder of the far-reaching impacts of climate change and the failures of urban management. A press conference will take place outside Judge Gandhi's own destroyed home, where he will engage with the media and discuss the pressing need for justice on behalf of all affected individuals.
In closing, the pursuit of legal accountability in response to the Pacific Palisades fire serves as an important reminder of the roles and responsibilities that city authorities must uphold, especially as communities face the increasing threat of wildfires in the era of climate change.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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