Cristina M. Ciminelli is an experienced civil litigator whose practice focuses on the defense of product liability and general negligence actions.
A veteran of more than 25 major trials, she has defended a large array of product liability and general negligence cases involving automobiles, tires, industrial equipment, helmets, swimming pools, and amusement park rides. Ms. Ciminelli's practice also includes the defense of employment, consumer class actions, FELA, habitability, and defamation cases.
Ms. Ciminelli has successfully coordinated and defended mass disaster cases, including the 2002 Placentia train accident involving a Metrolink commuter train, as well as the 2005 Glendale Metrolink train accident. An expert on the assessment and defense of psychological injuries, Ms. Ciminelli has addressed the California Psychological Association on “The Use of Neuropsychological Experts at Trial."
Ms. Ciminelli has been recognized as a Southern California's Rising Stars by LA Magazine for numerous years. She is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Ms. Ciminelli graduated with honors from Youngstown State University in 1995, with a BA in psychology. She obtained her JD, in 1999, from the University of Akron School of Law where she excelled in Moot Court, and was an active participant in the Student Bar Association. She was a recipient of Dean's List honors, as well as the CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Trademark Law. She is fluent in Spanish.
Representative Matters
• Aslan v. Ferrari North America, Inc. – Read Details
United States District Court, Los Angeles, CA – April 24, 2019
• Gross v. Rolando Lazatin et al. – Read Details
United States Disctrict Court, Los Angeles, CA – January 4, 2019
• Herod v. PDC et al. – Read Details
Alameda Superior Courthouse, Alameda, CA – August 31, 2017
• Grossman v. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District – Read Details
Santa Monica Superior Court, Santa Monica, CA – April 20, 2017
• Khosh, Al v. Staples Construction Company – Read Details
California Court of Appeal, Second District, Los Angeles, CA – October 27, 2016
• Jensen v. BNSF – Jensen v. BNSF
United States District Courthouse, San Francisco, CA – November 6, 2015
• Caro v. MPN-14
Norwalk, CA – December 1, 2014
• Osborne v. Todd Farm Service, et al. – Read Details
Ventura Superior Court, Ventura, CA – July 30, 2014
• Pillars v. BNSF Railway Co. – Read Details
Norwalk Superior Court, Norwalk, CA – May 9, 2013
• Padilla v. Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company
United States District Court, Los Angeles, CA – 2012
• Charles v. Mountain View Mobile Home Estates – Read Details
San Bernardino Superior Court, San Bernardino, CA – 2011
• Rodriguez v. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Inc.
United States District Court, Honolulu, HI – November 30, 2010
• Bostani v. Whitehall St. et. al.
San Diego Superior Court North Division, Vista, CA – August 20, 2010
• Houck v. Enterprise Rent-A-Car Co.
Alameda Superior Court, Alameda, CA – June 1, 2010
• Zhao v. Cox Enterprises, Inc.
Verdicts & Decisions – 2010
• Harsha v. ServiceMaster Co. et. al.
San Bernardino Superior Court, San Bernardino, CA – February 1, 2010
• Novak v. Pizza Hut, Inc.
San Diego Superior Court, San Diego, CA – January 4, 2010
• Deal v. Michelin North America, Inc. – Read Details
United States District Court, Las Vegas, NV – April 21, 2009
• Keddington v. Michelin North America, Inc.
March 3, 2008
• Pineda v. Deere & Company – Read Details
Chatsworth Superior Court, Chatsworth, CA – April 6, 2007
• Wheeler v. The Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad Company
Orange County Central Justice Center, Santa Ana, CA – 2006
• Parks v. Michelin North America et. al. – Read Details
Riverside Superior Court, Riverside, CA – March 14, 2005
• Tepei v. Michelin North America – Read Details
Lewis County Court, Chehalis, WA – April 23, 2004
• Knott’s Berry Farm v. Togo International
Orange County Central Justice Center, Santa Ana, CA – October 29, 2003
• Corinthian v. Harutian
Verdicts & Decisions – 2002
• Nia v. Harutian
Verdicts & Decisions – 2002
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
