Amy Solomon - Judicate West

Introduction

Formerly a partner with Girardi | Keese, Amy specialized in the areas of professional liability, products liability and catastrophic injury. During her 33 years with the firm, she successfully tried over 45 jury and bench trials in both State and Federal courts. As a trial lawyer, she is known to be an intelligent, respectful, hardworking colleague and adversary who addressed each case with a practical and resolution-oriented approach and in turn has earned the respect of the legal community. Since 1997, she served on numerous court mediation panels and programs, and quickly gained a reputation as having a personable and straight forward mediation style.

Amy says, “In mediation, I hope to exhibit my long-standing belief that with each difficulty lies an opportunity. I am dedicated to uncovering all issues in a case whether they are obvious or buried deep beneath the surface with the goal of helping the parties reach a settlement and obtain closure.”

Practice Areas

Hobbies & Interests

In her spare time, she enjoys wine tasting, hiking, classical ballet and dogs. She previously showed basset hounds at dog shows and confirmed two champions.

Testimonials

"This case didn’t settle but Ms. Solomon did a great job and I would use her again without reservation. The specific facts and issues presented by this case just didn’t make it ripe for settlement at this juncture despite her efforts. She provided good insight into challenges of the case."
- Attorney on a Premises Liability Matter

"Amy went out of her way to continue a settlement dialogue after the mediation session and pushed both sides in reaching a successful resolution. "
- Attorney on a Premises Liability Dispute

"[Amy] communicated well with my client who was disabled."
- Attorney on an Elder Abuse Matter

"I sincerely appreciate the effective manner in which [Amy] handled the mediation. [She] is top shelf! I hope to be working with [her] again soon."
- Attorney on a Personal Injury Auto Matter

"She was familiar with the issues and the parties, making her extremely effective in resolving the dispute."
- Attorney on a Fee Dispute matter

Links and Articles

Experience Summary

Legal Career

Neutral, Judicate West (Current)
Attorney, Girardi | Keese, specializing in professional liability, products liability, catastrophic injury (1989-2019)
MSC Settlement Officer, L.A. County Superior Court CRASH Settlement Program (2017-Present)
MSC Settlement Officer, Glendale Superior Court CRASH Settlement Program (1997-2008)
MSC Settlement Officer, Santa Monica Superior Court CRASH Settlement Program (1997-2007)
Volunteer Panelist, Los Angeles Superior Court ADR Panel (1997-2007)

Education & Professional Affiliations

J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles (1987)
B.A., California State University Northridge (1984)
Pepperdine’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Mediating the Litigated Case
Los Angeles Superior Court, ADR Training
Member, International Academy of Trial Lawyers (2016-Present)
Associate Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 2003-Present)
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association (2003-Present)
Board of Governors, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (1997-2003); Executive Committee (2003-2008); President (2008)
Board of Governors, Consumer Attorney of California (1998-Present)
Commissioner, California State Bar Judicial Nominees Evaluation Committee (2014-2017)

Achievements & Awards

Lawdragon Magazine, "500 Leading Litigators in America" – 2007-10, 2013-2019)
Daily Journal, "Top Women Litigators" – 2002-05, 2007-2019)
Los Angeles Magazine, "Southern California Super Lawyers" (2004-2018)
Los Angeles Magazine, "Southern California Super Lawyers Top 50 Women" (2007-2018)
Inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (2016)
Daily Journal, "Top 25" Personal Injury Lawyers in California (2015)
Loyola Law School Civil Justice Program's Champions of Justice Award (2015)
Amy Solomon and Robert Fink, “Voir Dire in Auto Cases,” Advocate Magazine (February 2013)
Daily Journal, "Top 100" Lawyers (2008, 2009, 2012)
Lawdragon Magazine, "The Lawdragon 3000 Leading Lawyers in America" (2006, 2009-2012)
Author, “Structural Changes,” Trial Magazine (June 2011)
Loyola Law School Distinguished Alumna (2009)
Recipient, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles' "Ted Horn Memorial Award" in Recognition of Service to the Bar (2009)
“AV” Rated by Martindale-Hubbell (The highest rating available to a lawyer based on confidential peer review of members of the Bar and the Judiciary for ability and ethical standards.)

Legal Experience

All types of Medical Negligence including Elder Abuse
All types of Personal Injury
Mass Torts
Professional Negligence
Sexual Assault

Representative Case Information

Recent Representative Cases

Business/Commercial

A.D.A.

Plaintiff, an African American teenager shopping with girlfriend at a big box store, claims security guard wrongfully accused him of shoplifting based on surveillance video. Plaintiff believed race-based discrimination. Defendant claimed no racial profiling or civil rights violation.
Virtual mediation where the Plaintiff entered into a business contract with Defendants to open a franchise of fast-food restaurants. The contract was poorly drafted without the use of lawyers and created a number of legal issues as time went on and amendments were made. Allegations of Fraud, Misrepresentation, and Conversion were asserted with little factual basis. Defendants were in breach of certain aspects of the deal but alleged tortious breach by Plaintiff.

Contractual

Fee dispute matter between prior and subsequent counsel in an admitted liability case with a dispute over work performed and when a prior lawyer was removed from the case.

Professional Malpractice

Medical Mal Dental

Dental malpractice case in which Plaintiff claims Defense performed two simultaneous root canals on Plaintiff; allegedly causing permanent nerve injury

Medical Malpractice

Plaintiff was 5 days post-op after hip replacement surgery and returned to ER with urinary retention. Orderly at defendant hospital failed to secure plaintiff's foot in wheelchair causing his operated leg to be pulled out of place which caused a total dislocation of the new hip. An open reduction was required to relocate the joint. However, nerve damage had occurred causing plaintiff to suffer a foot drop.
Medical malpractice action involving plaintiff patient in a rehab facility post stroke. Physical therapist, during therapy session, failed to pay close attention to the patient which caused a piece of equipment to strike plaintiff in the eye causing severe injury. Plaintiff underwent 5 surgeries in an attempt to repair the damage.
Virtual mediation of a medical malpractice dispute involving a plaintiff who underwent a vaginal hysterectomy and the surgeon left a foreign object in the vaginal vault. The hospital team failed to keep an accurate count of instruments and sponges. 30 days post-surgery, abscess, and infection formed requiring surgical removal. Plaintiff alleged urinary incontinence as a result of a retained foreign body. Defense disputed causation.

Real Estate

Property Damage

Plaintiff homeowner sued adjacent landowner for encroachment and destruction of a wall.

Tort

Civil Rights

Plaintiff, a minor, was allegedly discriminated against when not allowed to re-enroll in a private pre-school due to a diagnosis of autism. Defendant claimed he was not prevented from re-enrolling but rather, due to his autism he was encouraged to find a better suited environment.

General Negligence

Plaintiff, a janitor at a hospital, picked up trash from floor while cleaning and was pricked in finger by a needle. Subsequently, Plaintiff developed Hepitatis C.
Mortuary employee mishandled remains of plaintiffs' family member. Plaintiffs received the wrong urn and were lied to about it by the employee. Shortly after, the mortuary disclosed the family had been lied to and replaced the wrong urn with the correct one.

Personal Injury

Plaintiff, an 86 year old woman, trips and falls on sidewalk while attempting to get on MTA bus. Sidewalk has a 2 inch level discrepancy due to tree roots pulling up sidewalk. Plaintiff trips and fractures nose, strikes head suffering head trauma, abrasions and bruises. Plaintiff also sustained low back injury.
Slip and fall at a big box store with claim of torn meniscus.
Slip and fall at a box store on some water on the floor. Plaintiff sustained soft tissue injuries.
Plaintiff worked for an electrical contractor hired to place high voltage equipment below a street. When he entered the manhole to check on co-worker's progress, he fell more than 15 feet suffering numerous orthopedic injuries. Plaintiff claimed dangerous condition of the ladder - Defendant claimed it was Plaintiff's carelessness that caused the fall.
Slip and fall on tomato sauce and broken glass at a big box store causing deep lacerations to Plaintiff's leg, which required stitches.
Trip over uneven pavement at a large shopping center causing knee injury leading to arthroscopic surgery.
Virtual mediation involving a plaintiff who visited a friend in an old apartment building and fell off a step and fractured shoulder requiring surgery.
Virtual mediation of a trip and fall that occurred in plaintiff neighbor's driveway which was alleged to be a dangerous condition due to numerous deep cracks and fissures in the cement. Plaintiff fell on her face fracturing multiple teeth and lacerated her lip and face.

PI Assault and Battery

Bullying incident at a Jr. High School leading to physical altercation and concussion.
Plaintiff was an independent car salesman working at a tent sale at Defendant's dealership when another salesman assaulted Plaintiff at work. Plaintiff sustained injuries in the assault.

PI Auto

Plaintiffs, driver and passenger, were stopped at an intersection preparing to turn right when defendant, travelling 50mph rear-ended the plaintiffs' car causing soft tissue injuries and TBI resulting in PTSD.
A vehicle with 4 passengers was struck by a semi on the freeway causing Plaintiff’s car to collide with sound wall on shoulder. 3 passengers sustained soft tissue injuries and driver had shoulder and knee arthroscopies. Prop 213 issues involved with 2 plaintiffs.
Motorcycle v. Auto on 10 freeway. Disputed liability with no witnesses other than plaintiff and defendant. Contusions, abrasions, neck and back injuries.
Uninsured motorist action where Claimant rear-ended by driver with minimal policy. Claimant's injuries included lumbar laminectomy and repeat cervical fusion.
Plaintiff hit in marked cross walk on green light by automobile turning right. Injuries included head trauma, severe abrasions, cuts and bruises.
Semi tractor-trailer hydroplanes on freeway in heavy rain - Plaintiff following behind is unable to avoid collision with semi. Plaintiff and passenger sustain severe head injuries, facial fractures, shoulder surgery.
Defendant made an illegal U-turn in front of plaintiff causing collision. Plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries. Treatment consisted of physical therapy, chiropractic and pain management through facet injections in both neck and back.
Auto v. cyclist case where defendant driver made left turn in front of cyclist proceeding straight. Impact caused Plaintiff to strike passenger side of car, roll across hood and fall to pavement on drivers' side. Injuries included cuts, abrasions and torn meniscus.
Binding arbitration of admitted liability rearender case causing soft tissue as well as herniation of cervical disc in 48 year old male.
Plaintiff t-boned in intersection by Defendant driver who failed to yield to Plaintiff. Defendant driver was in the course and scope of a type of mobile ride share company. Plaintiff had neck and back injuries which resulted in multi level cervical fusion.
Plaintiffs were the driver and 2 passengers of car which had come to a stop on the freeway due to traffic ahead. Defendant, a private bus transport failed to stop his vehicle prior to striking the plaintiffs' car at a high rate of speed, pushing it into the car in front of them. Airbags deployed in plaintiffs' car. The driver had some minor soft tissue injuries. Front passenger suffered a ruptured disk in the lumbar spine as well as soft tissue injuries. The other passenger sustained soft tissue injuries and diagnosed with a concussion.
Defendant makes a left turn in front of plaintiff's vehicle, failing to yield right of way. Plaintiff sustained injuries to knee, neck, shoulder and burns from air bag deployment. Plaintiff had knee surgery due to injury sustained - Defendant claimed knee injured prior to date of accident.
Plaintiff was rearended on an interstate highway after coming to a stop due to heavy traffic ahead when suddenly rearended by Defendant which pushed Plaintiff into car in front. Plaintiff's airbag deployed fracturing Plaintiff's sternum.
Plaintiff was involved in a 5 car chain reaction rear ender. Defendant was last car who struck Plaintiff which pushed Plaintiff into car in front. Plaintiff sustained fractured sternum, neck and back strains, contusions bilateral lower extremities. Unable to work for 4 months.
Plaintiff proceeded straight through an intersection when Defendant turned left in front of Plaintiff causing neck, back, shoulder and knee injuries requiring diskectomy, physical therapy, PCP injections.
Plaintiff a driver for a ride share company was struck by an uninsured motorist - Plaintiff sustained cervical, lumbar injuries and large contusions resulting in 2 lumbar fusions and an impending cervical fusion.
Defendant, a rideshare driver, made an unsafe left turn in front of Plaintiff causing Plaintiff's truck to t-bone Defendant's vehicle. Plaintiff sustained neck, shoulder, back and knee injuries.
Plaintiff had right of way through a stop sign intersection, Defendant T-boned Plaintiff in said intersection as Defendant attempted a left turn. Plaintiff claimed injuries to neck, back, right foot and head.
Plaintiff was a motorcyclist who was struck on the freeway by a rideshare driver causing hand and foot fractures; resulting in low back injury.
Plaintiff, elderly man, was in a crosswalk when he was struck by an elderly driver who failed to see and yield to pedestrian. Injuries included multiple broken bones and head injury.
Plaintiff was involved in a head-on collision with a driver using a ride-hailing platform. Plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries.
Uninsured motorist case where Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle that was struck head-on by a hit and run driver. Plaintiff's injuries included soft-tissue as well as tinnitus from the impact of the airbags.
Plaintiff was stopped at a red light. Defense was also stopped at the light in a semi-tractor with a trailer to Plaintiff's left. Defense then decided to turn right in front of Plaintiff, causing the trailer to sideswipe Plaintiff, crushing the driver's side of the vehicle. Plaintiff claims Defense hit and ran causing him to pursue Defense for 100 miles. Plaintiff sustained neck back and shoulder injury leading to ESIs and shoulder surgery.
Plaintiff was involved in a side-impact crash while in a 4-way intersection when the Defendant ran the stop sign. Plaintiff sustained neck, lower back, and shoulder injuries requiring a cervical fusion and shoulder debridement as well as a number of injections.
Virtual mediation where the Defendant caused a major auto accident causing one death, one plaintiff with a head injury, and two plaintiffs with soft tissue damage. Defendant had a $50,000 policy and no assets.
Virtual mediation where the Plaintiff pedestrian claimed they were crossing the street in an unmarked crosswalk. Defendant contends the Plaintiff was jaywalking. Plaintiff was struck by a truck that crossed over the center dividing line. Plaintiff sustained knee and back injuries requiring surgery and suffered fractures to ribs, scapulae.
Virtual mediation involving 2 separately represented plaintiffs who were injured in a multi-car freeway accident with serious damage to vehicles and injuries suffered. Workers' Compensation carrier had a separate action for recoupment of benefits paid to the injured employee.
Virtual mediation of a case where the plaintiff summoned a ride, hailing a car, and while getting in the driver rolled up the passenger window trapping plaintiff's little finger causing a displaced fracture. Surgery to repair the finger then led to a serious infection requiring amputation of the finger.
Virtual mediation of a claimant in a UM case who was hailing a driver, when they were rear-ended by a hit and run driver causing claimant's car to crash into the curb. Claimant alleges neck, back, knee, TBI, injuries, as well as lost earnings, and earning capacity, and psychological injuries.
Virtual mediation involving plaintiff driver and passenger who were t-boned in an intersection by the defendant who ran a red light. The passenger sustained displaced rib fracture and soft tissue injuries. Driver sustained hearing loss from airbag deployment. Defense alleged hearing loss was not related to this accident.
Virtual mediation involving a passenger who was t-boned in an intersection when the defendant ran a red light. Plaintiff sustained 5 rib fractures and shoulder pain.
Plaintiff stopped at intersection waiting to make a right turn. Defendant, a Semi-truck driver in adjacent lane, starts making a right turn impacting the driver's side of Plaintiff's car. Plaintiff claimed neck and back injuries requiring chiropractic, epidurals, pain management and potential future surgery. Defendant claims low impact that produced soft tissue injuries at best
Plaintiff was t-boned in an intersection by driver who failed to yield. Plaintiff, a personal trainer, yoga instructor underwent cervical disc replacement. Alleged no longer able to teach due to her injuries. Defendant alleges she is still able to teach and has been doing so since the accident but her schedule is reduced due to COVID issues.
Plaintiff pedestrian hit in crosswalk on green light by truck turning left into crosswalk. Plaintiff sustained comminuted fracture of non-dominant arm requiring ORIF of affected limb and 5 days in hospital.

Premises Liability

Plaintiff was entering a restaurant when a fluorescent bulb fell on her shoulder while a subcontractor was changing the light. No warning cones or other measures taken to cone off the area. Plaintiff sustained a shoulder injury requiring arthroscopic surgery to repair.
Plaintiff injured at a gym by another patron causing fractured finger requiring surgery and leaving permanent defect on dominant hand. Issues of signed release/waiver vs. gross negligence.
Plaintiff was at a children’s' playschool for a child's party. Plaintiff a grandmother of one of the children, fell during a play game. Claimed soft tissue injuries and back pain.
Plaintiff struck on head by ice machine door at fast food restaurant causing traumatic brain injury.
Plaintiff fell into a hole in a parking garage sustaining soft tissue injuries to neck, shoulder, hip and back. Plaintiff treated conservatively for 5 months. No residuals.
Premises liability matter where tenant used leased premises for purposes outside the scope of the lease agreement. Said improper use resulted in injury to plaintiff, who sustained a compression fracture of the ankle requiring several surgeries to repair.
Plaintiff slipped and fell in restroom of a building striking her head causing a closed head injury, neck and back injuries.
Five year old boy injured when 150 pound steel gate which was left unsecured falls on his head causing skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Plaintiff left with hemiplesia and facial disfigurement.
Employee of big box store drops a box of lights on the plaintiff striking her hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. Soft tissue injuries, no future damages.
Plaintiff fell when sidewalk curb broke away due to tree root erosion. Defendants were the adjacent landowner and the city. Plaintiff tore rotator cuff and knee in the fall requiring surgical intervention.
Plaintiff tripped and fell on uneven sidewalk uprooted by tree roots leaving a greater than 1" deviation. Plaintiff lurched forward and broke her fall with both hands, fracturing 5th metacarpal on left hand and fracturing ulna and radius on the right. Right arm surgically repaired with plate. Plaintiff also struck mouth on ground causing a tooth to break requiring an implant.
Trip and fall at a public school property due to uneven walkway causing a more than 6" differential in the walkway. Plaintiff was a toddler being carried by parent when parent tripped and fell causing child to strike head on concrete walkway leading to skull fracture and a brain bleed. School district claimed design immunity.
Minor plaintiff was injured while sliding down a water slide at defendant's pool. Plaintiff suffered a partially amputated thumb of non-dominant hand.
Plaintiff slipped and fell on some water at a big box store. Plaintiff sustained soft tissue injuries to his neck and back, after having back surgeries in years prior.
Plaintiff tripped and fell at a resort due to poor lighting and path demarcation. Plaintiff sustained full thickness hamstring tear rendering him unable to ambulate without assistance.
Plaintiff was a tenant of a rent controlled apartment; tripped and fell on a cracked and poorly patched area of walkway causing him to fracture his neck. Defendant disputes the presence of any defect and alleges that Plaintiff was inattentive.
Plaintiff was struck by an umbrella on a patio of a restaurant during high winds resulting in back surgery and paresthesias.
Virtual mediation on a case where the Plaintiff tripped over a fan in an aisle of a big box store. Plaintiff fell and tore rotator cuff.
Virtual mediation involving a plaintiff who slipped and fell down an exterior flight of stairs which are allegedly defective in design in that water constantly pooled at the landing prior at top of the stairs which caused the plaintiff to slip on the edge of the stairs as she went down. Plaintiff sustained a comminuted fracture of the ankle requiring ORIF with screws and plates. Subsequent hardware removal and potential ankle fusion.
Plaintiff visiting friend at apartment complex in a unit on the 3rd floor when he fell out of the window falling more than 30ft. Plaintiff sustained numberous fractures and subsequent nerve damage to multiple extremities. Plaintiff alleged dangerous condition of premises. Defendant alleged Plaintiff jumped out of the window intentionally.

Wrongful Death

Auto v Motorcycle case causing death to motorcyclist. Plaintiff is the biological mother of the adopted decedent. Issues as to whether corporate entities were liable due to respondent superior vs. independent contractor.
Plaintiff's mother went to the hospital after two fainting spells. Defense determined she needed a temporary pacemaker and attempted a transvenous route through the interior jugular. However, he mistakenly cannulized the carotid artery causing a large hematoma to form and compartment syndrome occurred. Plaintiff's mother subsequently died.

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AMY FISCH SOLOMON, ESQ.

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AMY FISCH SOLOMON, ESQ.

AMY FISCH SOLOMON, ESQ.

Introduction

Practice Areas

Hobbies & Interests

Testimonials

Links and Articles

Experience Summary

Legal Career

Education & Professional Affiliations

Achievements & Awards

Legal Experience

Representative Case Information

Recent Representative Cases

Business/Commercial

A.D.A.

Contractual

Professional Malpractice

Medical Mal Dental

Medical Malpractice

Real Estate

Property Damage

Tort

Civil Rights

General Negligence

Personal Injury

PI Assault and Battery

PI Auto

Premises Liability

Wrongful Death

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