Aaron Osten is a versatile and determined trial attorney whose practice centers around advocating for employee rights in cases of workplace harassment and whistleblower retaliation, as well as wrongful death, business litigation, and sexual abuse cases. With a remarkable track record of success in jury trials and negotiations, Aaron has secured in excess of $75 million for his clients.
One of Aaron's recent triumphs includes obtaining a $12.2 million jury verdict for a young woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury after slipping and falling down a concrete flight of stairs at an office building in Hermosa Beach. In another significant victory, Aaron and his partner, Mark Quigley, secured a $2.1 million jury verdict and $3.2 million in attorney's fees in a whistleblower retaliation case against the County of Los Angeles on behalf of a vascular surgeon, Dr. Timothy Ryan, who exposed unnecessary surgeries performed for financial gain in a "kickback" scheme involving the medical device company Medtronic. Furthermore, Aaron recently achieved a confidential settlement for an accomplished Hollywood actor severely injured while shooting a dangerous stunt on a production set.
Aaron's impressive results also include a $1.7 million settlement on behalf of an accomplished UCSD Professor struck by a vehicle while using a marked crosswalk near the UCSD campus, a seven-figure jury verdict and a confidential settlement on behalf of a cancer research doctor against City of Hope's Beckman Research Institute, a $5 million settlement in a legal malpractice case involving inadequate advice on SEC regulations, and a $4 million result on behalf of an employee who suffered paraplegia after being struck by falling machinery at a refinery. Moreover, he achieved a multi-million dollar arbitration award for a woman who was struck by a defective elevator door and developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
In a high-profile sexual harassment and wrongful termination trial involving celebrity yoga guru Bikram Choudhury, Aaron obtained a $7 million jury verdict that exposed Mr. Choudhury's horrific sexual misconduct and received national attention. As a result of this trial, Aaron and the trial team received the "Elite Trial Lawyers" award in Employment Law from the National Law Journal.
Outside the courtroom, Aaron remains deeply committed to his passions, including surfing, endurance sports, and advocating for animal rights. He shares his love for surfing by teaching U.S. Veterans with disabilities, such as PTSD and anxiety, to surf. Aaron has participated in the 32-mile open ocean traditional paddleboard race, the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race, ten times. Additionally, he dedicates his time to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, advocating for legislation against animal cruelty.
Aaron earned his Bachelor of Arts in English with Honors from San Diego State University, where he was part of the Collegiate National Championships-winning SDSU Surf Team. He then pursued his J.D. at Loyola Law School, where he also studied Environmental Law and International Human Rights Law in Costa Rica during a summer program.
A member of the State Bar of California and admitted to the U.S. District Court Central District of California, Aaron actively participates in professional associations, including the American Association for Justice, the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, and Consumer Attorneys of California.
His exceptional work has earned him several notable accolades, including being listed as a Super Lawyers Southern California attorney in 2023 and previously recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2017 to 2021. Best Lawyers also named him as one of the "Ones to Watch" for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023 in Product Liability Litigation- Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs.
Aaron's passion for legal issues extends to publishing extensively on various legal topics. Notably, he authored a perspective article in the Los Angeles Daily Journal discussing a California State Supreme Court ruling rejecting a new broad exception to the long-standing Privette doctrine.
Aaron actively engages with the community as a board member of the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, which uses ocean therapy to treat and rehabilitate returning veterans suffering from PTSD. Additionally, he serves on the Dinner Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Labor and Employment Committee. His commitment to the community and dedication to excellence make him a truly outstanding trial attorney.
