About Easton & Easton, LLP — Orange County’s Personal Injury Law Firm
Last Updated: October 2, 2026
- $500M+
- Recovered since 1991
- $250M+
- Recovered in the past 5 years
- 35 Years
- Of plaintiff-side practice
- Tier 1
- Best Law Firms every year since 2011
About the Firm
Easton & Easton, LLP is a personal injury and wrongful death law firm based in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California. Founded in 1991 by W. Douglas Easton, the firm has grown from a solo practice into a multigenerational family firm that has recovered more than $500 million for clients injured throughout Southern California – including more than $250 million in the past 5 years alone.
The firm represents individuals who have been seriously injured or killed as a result of another party's negligence, carelessness, or wrongful conduct. Easton & Easton does not represent insurance companies or corporate defendants — every case the firm accepts is on behalf of an injured person or a family that has lost a loved one.
Free consultation · Available 24/7 · No fee unless we win
In 35 Years of Practice
Easton & Easton has been recognized as follows:
- A Tier 1 "Best Law Firm" in Southern California by U.S. News & Best Lawyers every year since 2011.
- Named "Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" by the Los Angeles Times Reader's Choice Poll in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
- Named the "Best Law Firm" in Orange County by the OC Register's Reader's Choice Poll every year since it began in 2022.
- TopVerdict has recognized our $22.25M Bicyclist v. Inattentive Driver settlement as #1 in Los Angeles County for 2025 in six additional categories, bringing our total to 24 #1 recognitions and 33+ total TopVerdict recognitions over the past 5 years.
Firm History
Three Decades of Personal Injury Representation in Orange County
W. Douglas Easton founded the firm in 1991 after spending the first six years of his legal career on the defense side, representing insurance companies and large corporate defendants. That experience gave him a precise understanding of how carriers evaluate claims, what evidence they fear most, and when they are prepared to settle versus fight. He switched sides because he believed the people being hurt deserved someone who understood the system from the inside.
Doug's three sons — Brian, Matt, and Travis Easton — joined the firm over the following decade, and in 2014 the firm was renamed Easton & Easton, LLP to reflect its multigenerational structure. The firm has since expanded to include Partner Gabriel Mendoza, Senior Associates Saul Wolf and Brenda Kocaj, along with Associates Aaron Sinfield, Alexandro Garza, and William G. Seidlitz IV.
A Family Firm in Practice, Not in Name
The family structure of the firm is not a marketing device. It is how the firm actually operates. Cases are discussed across the dinner table as well as in the conference room. Partners with different strengths — trial advocacy, investigation, client relations, medical lien management — collaborate on major matters in ways that are difficult to replicate in a larger institutional firm.
Our Team
The Attorneys of Easton & Easton, LLP
Founder and Managing Partner
W. Douglas Easton
W. Douglas Easton has practiced personal injury law since 1971 — more than 54 years. He founded Easton & Easton in 1991 and remains the firm's managing partner and lead trial attorney on the most complex matters. Doug holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review rating in the legal profession, which he has maintained for more than 30 years. He has been selected to Super Lawyers — Southern California and Best Lawyers in America annually since 2007, and to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California — a designation limited to fewer than 1% of attorneys.
View W. Douglas Easton's full profile →Partner
Brian W. Easton
Brian Easton has been a trial attorney at Easton & Easton for over a decade, serving as lead counsel on some of the firm's most contested catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. He has been selected to Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation — recognizing the top 5% of attorneys by peer vote and client review — and is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a designation given to fewer than 1% of attorneys in the United States. Brian has also been selected to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California.
View Brian W. Easton's full profile →Co-Managing Partner
Matthew D. Easton
Matthew Easton has practiced personal injury law since 2009 and has served as Co-Managing Partner since 2019. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, received in 2015, and has been selected to Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers Southern California, and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California. He is a Premier 100 Trial Attorney as recognized by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys and a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Matt was recognized as Outstanding Alumni of the Year by Whittier Law School in 2016.
Notable Results
Notable results include a $3,060,000 lane-splitting motorcycle accident settlement, a $2,750,000 wrongful death recovery for a family that received a formal commendation from the City of Lancaster, and a $2,150,000 settlement for a foster child who suffered brain damage.
Co-Managing Partner
Travis R. Easton
Travis Easton joined the firm in 2014 and has recovered more than $150 million for clients over his career. He served as lead attorney on the firm's $20,000,000 premises liability settlement recognized as a Top 10 Personal Injury Settlement in the United States in 2019 by TopVerdict.com. Travis has been selected to Best Lawyers in America and is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He was previously selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star — Southern California.
View Travis R. Easton's full profile →Partner
Gabriel M. Mendoza
Gabriel Mendoza joined Easton & Easton in 2016 and focuses on serious personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Prior to law school he worked as a paralegal at a personal injury firm, giving him a practical foundation for case management and client relations that complements his legal advocacy. Gabriel has been selected to Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation — Top 5% — and was previously recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star.
View Gabriel M. Mendoza's full profile →Senior Associate Attorney
Saul Wolf
Saul Wolf is a Senior Associate Attorney whose practice focuses exclusively on civil sexual abuse litigation. He has more than 15 years of experience representing survivors of institutional abuse in civil claims against perpetrators and the organizations that enabled them — including public and private school districts, religious institutions, youth sports organizations, YMCAs, and other youth-serving entities. Saul has secured multiple multi-million dollar settlements against major public and private institutions throughout California.
View Saul Wolf's full profile →Other Attorneys
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Brenda Kocaj
Associate Attorney
Super Lawyers Rising Stars — Southern California
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Aaron Sinfield
Associate Attorney
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Alexandro Garza
Associate Attorney
Super Lawyers Rising Stars — Southern California
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William G. Seidlitz IV
Associate Attorney
Practice Areas
Plaintiff-Side Representation Only
Easton & Easton represents clients exclusively on the plaintiff side in the following practice areas.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Catastrophic Injury & Wrongful Death
Premises Liability
Awards, Recognitions & Rankings
Credentials, With the Criteria Behind Them
U.S. News – Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" — Tier 1, Southern California
The highest ranking a law firm can achieve in this system. Easton & Easton has been ranked Tier 1 every year since 2011. Selection is based on client feedback surveys, peer reputation assessment, and professional excellence review by Best Lawyers.
Best Lawyers in America — Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation
W. Douglas Easton, Brian Easton, Matthew Easton, Travis Easton, and Gabriel Mendoza have each been selected. Designation is given to the top 5% of attorneys nationwide based on peer voting and client evaluations. Selection has been annual since 2007 for Doug, Brian, and Matt.
Super Lawyers — Southern California
W. Douglas Easton, Brian Easton, and Matthew Easton are selected to the main Super Lawyers list (top 5% of California attorneys). Travis Easton, Gabriel Mendoza, Brenda Kocaj, and Alexandro Garza have been selected as Rising Stars (top 2.5% of attorneys 40 or under).
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — Lifetime Members
W. Douglas Easton, Brian Easton, Matthew Easton, and Travis Easton are lifetime members. This designation is given to fewer than 1% of attorneys in the United States and requires documented multi-million dollar verdicts or settlements.
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers — California
W. Douglas Easton, Brian Easton, and Matthew Easton have been selected. Membership is limited to fewer than 1% of attorneys per state.
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
The highest peer-reviewed rating in the legal profession. W. Douglas Easton has held this rating for more than 30 years. Matthew Easton received his AV Preeminent rating in 2015.
"Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" — LA Times Reader's Choice Poll
Voted by readers of the Los Angeles Times in 2018, 2019, and 2020 — three consecutive years. One firm selected per year based on client satisfaction.
"Best Law Firm in Orange County" — OC Register Voters
Selected by OC Register readers in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
BBB A+ Rating
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.
TopVerdict - 25 recognitions in 5 years
Our $22.25M Bicyclist v. Inattentive Driver settlement was recognized as #1 in Los Angeles County for 2025. This brings our total to 24 #1 recognitions and 33+ total TopVerdict recognitions over the past 5 years.
Team Partnership
Official Personal Injury Attorneys of the Anaheim Ducks
Easton & Easton serves as the official personal injury law firm partner of the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL.
Team Partnership
Proud Partners of the Los Angeles Angels
How We Work
The Easton Approach to Personal Injury Cases
Easton & Easton is a trial firm. Every case is prepared from day one as if it will go to verdict, because some cases do — and because that preparation changes how insurance carriers negotiate from the moment we enter a case.
Independent investigation
We do not rely on the police report or the defendant's insurance company's version of events. Our attorneys conduct independent accident investigations, retain reconstruction experts, preserve surveillance footage and physical evidence, and issue litigation hold letters before evidence can be altered or destroyed. In cases involving commercial vehicles, we investigate driver employment histories, hours-of-service records, and whether the carrier conducted adequate background checks.
Medical lien coordination
When necessary, we connect clients who lack health insurance with physicians and specialists who will treat on a medical lien basis — paid from the settlement rather than requiring upfront payment. We document all treatment thoroughly throughout the case, working with treating physicians and independent medical experts to build a complete picture of the injury and its long-term consequences.
Negotiation from a position of trial readiness
Insurance carriers know that Easton & Easton will take a case to verdict if a fair settlement is not offered. That knowledge changes the negotiation dynamic. We prepare comprehensive demand packages that include detailed liability analysis, full medical documentation, lost income evidence, and researched non-economic damages calculations. We do not accept lowball offers to move files.
Litigation when necessary
When a carrier refuses to negotiate fairly, we file suit. Our attorneys have tried cases in Orange County Superior Court, Los Angeles Superior Court, Federal Court, and other courts throughout Southern California. The discovery process in litigation frequently surfaces evidence that the carrier was withholding during informal negotiation — internal communications, prior complaint histories, maintenance records — that strengthens the case for the client.
Fee Structure
Contingency Representation
Easton & Easton handles all personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost to retain the firm. We are paid only if we win or settle your case — our fee is a percentage of the recovery, agreed to in writing before we begin. If we do not recover, you owe us nothing for our time.
Free, confidential consultations
Initial consultations are always free, always confidential, and carry no obligation to retain the firm. We take as many consultations as needed before a potential client decides to move forward.
Office Location & Service Area
Costa Mesa, Serving Southern California
Easton & Easton, LLP
650 Town Center Drive, Suite 1850Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Telephone: 714-850-4590 — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The office serves clients throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County.
Request a Free Case ReviewCourts We Appear In
- Orange County Superior Court — Central Justice Center, Santa Ana
- Orange County Superior Court — Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach
- Orange County Superior Court — North Justice Center, Fullerton
- Orange County Superior Court — West Justice Center, Westminster
- Los Angeles Superior Court
- Other California state and federal courts
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Easton & Easton, LLP
When was Easton & Easton founded?
Easton & Easton was founded in 1991 by W. Douglas Easton as the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The firm was renamed Easton & Easton, LLP in 2014 when Doug's sons Brian, Matt, and Travis became partners. The firm is now in its 35th year of practice.
How much has Easton & Easton recovered for clients?
Easton & Easton has recovered more than $500 million for clients since the firm was founded in 1991 — including more than $250 million in the past 5 years alone. Recent results include a $32,000,000 bicycle accident settlement (2024, #1 in California per TopVerdict.com), a $26,000,000 construction site injury settlement (2023, #1 in Los Angeles County per TopVerdict.com), and a $20,000,000 premises liability settlement (2019, Top 10 in the United States per TopVerdict.com).
What types of cases does Easton & Easton handle?
Easton & Easton handles personal injury and wrongful death cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents, premises liability, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, wrongful death, and civil sexual abuse claims. The firm represents clients exclusively on the plaintiff side and does not represent insurance companies or corporate defendants.
Does Easton & Easton charge for initial consultations?
No. Initial consultations with Easton & Easton are always free and always confidential. The firm accepts as many consultations as a potential client needs before deciding whether to proceed. There is no obligation to retain the firm after a consultation.
What is the contingency fee arrangement at Easton & Easton?
Easton & Easton handles all cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost. The firm's fee is a percentage of the recovery, agreed to in writing before representation begins. If the firm does not recover for a client, the client owes nothing for the firm's time.
Where is Easton & Easton located and what areas does the firm serve?
Easton & Easton, LLP is located at 650 Town Center Drive, Suite 1850, Costa Mesa, California 92626. The firm serves clients throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County.
How long has W. Douglas Easton been practicing law?
W. Douglas Easton has been licensed to practice law since 1971 — more than 54 years. He spent the first six years of his career representing insurance companies and corporate defendants before switching to represent injured plaintiffs exclusively. He founded Easton & Easton in 1991.
What awards has Easton & Easton received?
Easton & Easton has been ranked a Tier 1 "Best Law Firm" in Southern California by U.S. News – Best Lawyers every year since 2011. The firm has been voted "Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll three consecutive years (2018, 2019, 2020) and "Best Law Firm in Orange County" by OC Register readers every year since 2022. The firm's attorneys collectively hold Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Top 100, AV Preeminent, and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum designations.
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Easton & Easton has been recognized by TopVerdict.com Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement in Los Angeles for 2025, for the case Bicyclist v. Inattentive Driver — recognized more than 75 times by TopVerdict.com over the past 5 years — including fifty-eight #1 recognitions, and a recognition that arrives in the firm’s 35th anniversary year.
Easton & Easton holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau — the highest rating available. Trust is earned. We've earned it.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton was voted #1 in 2026 (People's Choice Award). This recognition means the most to us — because it comes from the community we serve. Voted #1 in 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026 — four #1 wins, including three years in a row
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton were selected to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 — an invitation-only organization recognizing the nation's premier trial attorneys. Selection is based on case results, leadership, and reputation. When you need attorneys who are ready for the courtroom, you want a team that's already proven they belong there.
All five partners of Easton & Easton — Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis, and Gabe — were selected to Best Lawyers in America® 2027. This is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Selection is based entirely on peer review, representing the consensus opinion among leading lawyers in the community. When other attorneys are asked who they trust, they name us.
Our $4.5M settlement in Dump Truck Operator v. Equipment Rental Co. has been recognized as #1 in California for 2025 in two categories: • #1 Paraplegia Settlement in California — 2025 • #1 Rollover Accident Settlement in California — 2025
Our $4.5M settlement in Dump Truck Operator v. Equipment Rental Co. has been recognized as #1 in California for 2025 in two categories: • #1 Paraplegia Settlement in California — 2025 • #1 Rollover Accident Settlement in California — 2025
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as the #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement in California in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Easton & Easton was named a Tier 1 firm in Southern California by U.S. News & World Report — the highest ranking a law firm can achieve. Selection is based on client feedback, peer reputation, and professional excellence. When independent evaluators rank the best, we're at the top.
Gabe Mendoza, Alexandro Garza, Billy Seidlitz, and Aaron Sinfield were selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars — honoring the top 2.5% of attorneys 40 or younger in California. Three attorneys — John, Billy, and Aaron — were selected for the first time in 2026. The next generation of Easton & Easton is already among the best in the state.
Easton & Easton was voted "Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" by readers of the Los Angeles Times in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Three years in a row — chosen by the people we serve
Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis, and Saul were selected to Super Lawyers — a distinction earned by only 5% of California attorneys. Selection is based on peer nominations, independent research, and professional achievement. Doug Easton has been selected for 19 consecutive years. Matt Easton was also named to the Top 50 Orange County Super Lawyers for 2026. When you hire Easton & Easton, you're hiring attorneys in the top 5%.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a Top 10 Personal Injury Settlement in California in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Easton & Easton received the "People Love Us On Yelp" award in 2016 due to exceptional client satisfaction reviews.Our clients don't just hire us — they recommend us.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian, Matt, and Travis Easton are lifetime members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — a distinction held by less than 1% of U.S. attorneys. Membership requires securing a verdict or settlement of $2 million or more. When you hire Easton & Easton, you're hiring proven results - because Results Matter.
Doug Easton has held the "AV Preeminent" Rating for over 30 years, and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The AV Preeminent rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, based on the legal profession's oldest peer review rating system — dating back to 1887. When your peers have trusted your ability and integrity for over three decades, that says everything.
We were recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a the #1 Personal Injury Settlement in Los Angeles County in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a proven track record of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board. Membership isn't given — it's earned in the courtroom.
Travis Easton, Gabe Mendoza, and Brenda Kocaj were selected to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 — an invitation-only honor recognizing the nation's top young trial attorneys. At Easton & Easton, experience and ambition work side by side.
Easton & Easton was honored for securing a $20,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2019 by TopVerdict.com.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 — based on skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews. A perfect score. No room for higher.
Easton & Easton was honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018-2020 (each year the voting took place).
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2016 by TopVerdict.com.
20+ prestigious awards and recognitions. Exposed to the harshest scrutiny. Earning the highest honors. Recognized by every major legal organization — year after year.
Awards/recognitions noted are from organizations recognized within the legal profession as bona fide.
No purchase was required for selection. Selection methodologies available upon request.
*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
“Client testimonials reflect individual experiences; results vary. No guarantee of outcome.”
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