Nicholas J. Begakis

Product Liability & Mass Torts

Nick has experience counseling and litigating on behalf of clients in a wide variety of industries at all phases of a dispute. He has tried cases throughout the state of California and litigated matters nationally at all stages through appeal.

Nick defends clients in mass torts, class actions and product liability litigation. In addition to his product liability practice, he also handles significant tort cases for clients, including cases involving catastrophic injuries and defamation.

The Daily Journal recognized Nick’s complete defense verdict in a $1.2 billion defamation case for a major public utility following a two-month jury trial as one of the year’s “Top Verdicts.”

Representative Experience

• Represented U.S. division of multinational cosmetics company in multidistrict litigation and proceedings in Illinois, Georgia, New York and Pennsylvania state courts related to allegations that hair relaxers cause cancer and other conditions.
• Managed the defamation litigation of Jeff Alexander v. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. from inception, including a two-month trial, which resulted in a complete defense verdict on claims of $1.2 billion. This was the first such verdict following PG&E’s bankruptcy and widespread unfavorable media attention.
• Represented manufacturer of infant formula in numerous class actions pending in many jurisdictions alleging consumer fraud.
• Represented cosmetics manufacturer in nationwide class action alleging consumer fraud related to representations regarding animal testing.
• Represented major utility in defense of a catastrophic injury matter, where plaintiff alleged that the failure to maintain a transformer resulted in significant injury, which settled favorably after the filing of a motion for summary judgment.
• Represented a major utility in defense of a catastrophic injury matter related to a natural gas explosion, including a month-long trial during which the case was settled favorably.
• Lead attorney for litigation involving the puncture of natural gas lines in Bakersfield and Fresno, California. Obtained a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
• Lead attorney representing manufacturer of healthy snacks in consumer class action alleging misleading labeling and advertising. Prevailed on a bifurcated bench trial, defeated class certification, and negotiated a dismissal of all claims with no payment to plaintiff.
• Key member of a federal trial team in a front-page defense victory for a sheriff’s deputy accused of obstruction of justice, where the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the counts charged.

Personal Interests

In his free time, Nick enjoys cooking, Dodgers baseball and tinkering with his 1966 Cadillac De Ville.