Edith R. Matthai |

Bio

Edith Matthai is a trial lawyer who has specialized in the representation of attorneys in malpractice actions for over thirty years, handling matters arising from nearly every field of practice including complex business transactions and litigation, probate and family law proceedings, securities litigation, intellectual property litigation, bankruptcy proceedings and complex family law cases. She regularly defends malicious prosecution actions.

For over ten years, Edith has represented judges and commissioners in disciplinary matters pending before the California Commission on Judicial Performance.

Since she regularly handles malpractice actions arising from complex business litigation, she is also frequently called upon to try business cases, often when a team is needed in light of the complexity and exposure in the case.

Edith has significant appellate experience, arguing many cases that have formed the legal principles setting the standards for attorney liability.

Throughout her career, Edith has contributed to the legal system, holding many positions of leadership in the bar. She sat on the CACI committee for over ten years developing the now standard jury instructions for California. The small committee of justices, judges and lawyers debated the law and then distilled their conclusions in new, plain English instructions.

She is a fellow of the American College of Trial lawyers and in 2008 was named by the Litigation Section of the California State Bar as the California Trial Lawyer of the Year.

She is a past president of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the California Defense Counsel, The Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and the Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA. She is a former chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Lawyers' Professional Liability and has been certified by the California State Bar as a specialist in Legal Malpractice law.

Edith is a past member of the California Judicial Council, the policy making body of the California courts, and was a member of its Executive and Planning committee which oversees the council's strategic planning process, sets the agendas for the council meetings, recommends candidates for appointment to the council and its advisory bodies and takes action on behalf of the council between meetings.

She is a member of the American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, which reviews the qualifications of potential appointments to the federal bench, providing a pre-appointment rating to the White House.

Edith R. Matthai

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