CAALA President Mike Arias (JD '84) Prepares for Unique Leadership Moment

July 2, 2018 | Pepperdine Law alumnus Mike Arias (JD '84) is redefining what it means to be a leader in the legal community. Arias was installed as President of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) in January 2018, and later this year, he will be installed as President of the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC). This will mark the first time any attorney has simultaneously served as president of both organizations.

At CAALA, the largest local trial lawyer association in the nation, Arias founded and helped define the Plaintiff Trial Academy which, since 2014, has taught 171 young and less experienced trial lawyers trial skills from some of the best trial lawyers in the country. As a leader within CAOC, he has lobbied on behalf of consumers and for civil justice and to preserve the right to jury trial.

Arias has had an impressive year as an attorney within his own practice as well, obtaining several significant verdicts and settlements, including a $2.2 million verdict in Los Angeles Superior Court in a sexual harassment trial and a $14.5 million settlement in a class action, this past April.

"For me, giving back to the legal community means investing in the next generation of young lawyers and helping them build not just a great practice, but a great work/life balance as well," Arias said. "I do my best to share my successes and my challenges, both professionally and personally, in the hopes that it will help them learn from my example."

To learn more about Mike Arias and his leadership roles at CAALA, CAOC, and his own practice, check out his website at www.aswtlawyers.com.