STEPHEN G. LARSON

STEPHEN G. Larson, a former U.S. district judge and former federal prosecutor, co-founded Larson LLP, a nationally recognized litigation firm in Los Angeles.

In his 32 years of practice as a trial and appellate lawyer, Larson has been lead counsel in scores of federal and state court jury trials and appeals, including before the California Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. He serves as a trusted advisor to senior executives, prominent domestic and international businesses, public and private companies of all sizes, and other individuals as plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes civil and commercial disputes.

Throughout his broad civil litigation practice, Larson covers intellectual property, real property and land use, environmental and basic materials, complex contracts and business torts, employment, securities, civil rights, and class action matters across industries ranging from entertainment to technology. In addition, he is frequently engaged as an arbitrator and mediator in complex commercial disputes.

Larson’s track record includes a complete acquittal of a military officer at a general court-martial trial, a mid-trial dismissal of a former agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency charged with fraud, and a dismissal of all embezzlement and misappropriation charges for an executive charged with diverting millions of dollars of NASA funds. He also achieved acquittals on all charges for a real estate developer charged in what was described as the largest public corruption case in California history.

Larson is currently defending the former University of Southern California water polo coach in the highly publicized Varsity Blues college admissions case against racketeering and fraud charges, and a significant securities fraud case in federal court in Chicago.

Larson’s practice also involves conducting internal investigations for various cities, counties, and private entities. He recently led and concluded an investigation into Riverside County departments in connection with the widely publicized allegations regarding the care and treatment of the Turpin siblings and, more broadly, the county’s foster care and dependent adult care systems.

Larson also served as monitor of the Orange County District Attorney’s compliance with a Blue Ribbon commission’s recommendations as well as chairman of the Los Angeles County Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Safety. During his nearly 10 years as a federal judge, Larson presided over a number of high-profile cases.

In 2020, Larson was elected to the Inter-American Juridical Committee, one of the principal organs of the Organization of American States (OAS) which serves as an advisory body on legal matters to promote the progressive development and codification of international law. He is ranked among the nation’s top litigators by Chambers USA and has been recognized annually as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in California by the Daily Journal, California’s leading legal publication, since 2017.

Larson, a graduate of Georgetown University (BSFS) and the University of Southern California Law School (JD), has taught law school classes in constitutional law, civil rights law, federal courts, and professional responsibility.

Larson’s maternal grandmother Mary Teresa Mooney was a native of Dublin. He also has Irish roots in counties Kildare, Wexford, and Waterford. He is an executive member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and a longtime member of the Los Angeles Irish Bar Association. Larson received the group’s 2013 Daniel O’Connell Award and served as its keynote speaker at the 2009 annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon.

Larson and his wife Dena have seven children. Their oldest daughter studied at Trinity College in Dublin, and their oldest son is pursuing postgraduate studies in English and creative writing at the University of Limerick and served in the House of Bridget in Wexford.