Gary Praglin

Gary Praglin is a partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP, located in Santa Monica, California. He focuses on complex personal injury cases, with a particular emphasis on mass tort actions related to environmental contamination. He provides legal services primarily in the Los Angeles and Santa Monica regions. His practice areas include toxic torts, environmental justice, defective products, wrongful death and pharmaceutical litigation. 

Throughout his career, Mr. Praglin has been instrumental in recovering nearly one billion dollars in jury verdicts and settlements for his clients. His notable achievements include involvement in the PG&E case, famously depicted in the movie "Erin Brockovich." He has served on prominent Plaintiffs’ Steering Committees such as those for the Yamaha Rhino Litigation and the SoCalGas Aliso Canyon Litigation, the latter of which dealt with the largest recorded methane release in history.

Mr. Praglin is also dedicated to pro bono work, striving to make a positive impact on the lives of others. His pro bono efforts have included cases such as adoption, securing the re-admission of a medical student into medical school and assisting a young couple in a dispute with a slumlord over mold issues. 

Educationally, Mr. Praglin earned his Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of California, Los Angeles and his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School. He is admitted to practice law in California, the United States District Court of California and has been admitted to pro hac vice in Florida. His professional affiliations include the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Consumer Attorneys of California, the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

In addition to his legal work, Mr. Praglin supports global charities such as Wildlife NOW and the Israel Guide Dog Center. He is also an invited speaker on environmental issues, having presented before the California State Legislature and various educational programs. He is AV Preeminent peer-review rated*, the highest rating, through Martindale-Hubbell. 

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.