Mike Arias

Mike Arias is the founding and managing partner of Arias Sanguinetti Trial Lawyers, based in the firm’s Southern California office. For more than four decades, he has built one of the nation’s premier plaintiff law firms while representing consumers, survivors, workers, families, and communities harmed by bad actors, powerful corporations and institutions. Throughout his career, he has viewed the practice of law as more than a profession. Mike believes the law is a vehicle for creating lasting change, strengthening the civil justice system, and ensuring that ordinary people can stand on equal footing with those who hold power.

His practice spans mass plaintiff litigation, class actions, consumer protection, sexual assault, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, employment, wage and hour, environmental matters, and toxic torts. During his career, Mike has served as lead, co-lead, or liaison counsel in hundreds of complex cases against some of the largest corporations, public entities, and institutions in the country. While known for handling high-profile litigation, his work is driven by a broader philosophy that civil litigation protects communities, improves public safety, and creates accountability that extends well beyond any individual case.

Mike has helped secure landmark results that have reshaped the legal landscape for survivors and consumers. He served as co-liaison counsel in the University of Southern California/Dr. George Tyndall litigation, helping more than 700 women pursue justice after decades of sexual abuse and contributing to the historic $852 million settlement, the largest known sexual abuse settlement against a university in United States history. He also played a leading role in obtaining an $828 million settlement on behalf of hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse in Los Angeles County’s juvenile detention centers and foster care system, one of the highest average per-survivor recoveries ever achieved. His leadership also helped secure a $243.6 million settlement on behalf of survivors abused by former UCLA gynecologist James Heaps, a $32.5 million nationwide consumer class action settlement against Uber, and a $38.5 million catastrophic injury settlement believed to be the largest of its kind. Across every practice area, Mike has sought not only meaningful recoveries for clients, but systemic reforms that help prevent similar harm from occurring again.

His leadership and courtroom achievements have earned national recognition. He has been named CAOC Trial Lawyer of the Year and a California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (CLAY) by the Daily Journal. He has also been recognized as one of the Daily Journal’s Top 100 Attorneys in California, and Top 30 Plaintiff Attorneys. Additional honors include Law360 Titan of the Plaintiffs Bar, National Law Journal Plaintiff Trailblazer, The Recorder California Trailblazer, Lawdragon Hall of Fame and 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and California Super Lawyers. He is also a member of the esteemed invitation-only organization, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

Mike’s influence extends far beyond the courtroom. A past president of both the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) and the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), he has dedicated countless hours to strengthening the plaintiff’s bar through leadership, mentorship, education, and political advocacy. He has been instrumental in advancing legislation that expands access to justice for survivors of sexual assault and abuse while also helping elect and support public officials committed to consumer protection and civil justice. Through organizations such as CAALA’s Plaintiff Trial Academy, Mike has mentored generations of trial lawyers because he believes investing in future advocates is one of the profession’s greatest responsibilities. His collaborative leadership style, disciplined judgment, and commitment to ethical advocacy have helped shape the modern plaintiffs’ bar at both the state and national levels.

Outside the courtroom, Mike is happiest spending time with his family, who remain the center of his life and greatest source of pride. A devoted father and grandfather, he values the same loyalty, commitment, and sense of responsibility at home that have defined his professional career. A former collegiate athlete, Mike has carried a competitive spirit and disciplined work ethic throughout every stage of his life, whether mentoring trial lawyers, leading his firm, or competing on the golf course. He is an avid traveler and Los Angeles Dodgers and Rams fan. His biggest treasure is the opportunity to create lasting memories with family and friends.

Contact Mike Arias today:

Phone: (310) 844-9696 

Email: mike@aswtlawyers.com