The Daily Journal’s Top 100 recognizes California’s most impactful attorneys each year. This year Armenian-American attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian were selected to the 2025 list — with Karnikian making his first appearance on this prestigious roster. Their selection underscores their leadership in high-stakes litigation, commitment to justice, and growing influence within both the legal profession and the Armenian-American community.
The Daily Journal is California’s leading legal news publisher, known for its in-depth reporting on the legal profession, courts, and public policy. With tens of thousands of lawyers and judges among its readership, it is regarded as one of the most influential voices in the state’s legal community. Its annual Top 100 Lawyers list is considered one of the most respected honors in California law, recognizing attorneys whose work has shaped significant legal outcomes, advanced consumer protections, and influenced public policy. Being named to this list places Kabateck and Karnikian among the most impactful and respected figures in California law.
Kabateck LLP – A Plaintiff’s Firm with Billions in Recoveries
Kabateck LLP, one of California’s leading plaintiff law firms, expressed pride in the announcement, congratulating founder Brian Kabateck and managing partner Shant Karnikian on this prestigious recognition. The firm has recovered over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients, with landmark results including $500+ million in personal-injury awards, $300 million in class-action recoveries, $300 million in consumer settlements and $500 million in insurance-bad-faith cases. From 2021 to 2022 alone, Kabateck secured $169.5 million in wildfire recoveries for homeowners, renters and businesses, and as class counsel in a major case against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, obtained $100 million in financial relief for ratepayers. The firm continues to be a powerhouse in mass-disaster litigation, consumer rights, and insurance bad faith.
Brian Kabateck – A Visionary in Consumer Advocacy
Brian Kabateck, the firm’s founder, has built a national reputation as one of the leading consumer advocates in America. His landmark recoveries include $4.037 billion for victims of the Maui wildfires and $1.8 billion in the Southern California gas-leak litigation. Beyond litigation, Kabateck has co-authored major state laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act and SB 33, expanding protections for millions of Californians. He currently serves as chairman of the board at Loyola Law School and is a past president of both the Consumer Attorneys of California and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Recognized in 2025 by the Los Angeles Times as a Consumer Attorney Visionary, Kabateck’s career reflects a unique blend of courtroom excellence, legislative influence, and dedication to public service.
Shant Karnikian – A Litigator with Record-Setting Results
Shant Karnikian, managing partner at Kabateck LLP, has recovered more than $100 million for clients in cases involving insurance bad faith, catastrophic injury, and consumer class actions. An Armenian American born and raised in Los Angeles, he rose from law clerk to managing partner in 2024 and has quickly become one of the state’s most respected young litigators. His achievements include a $56 million settlement for families facing unsafe housing conditions and a $39.5 million jury verdict after an 11-week trial. Karnikian has been recognized as a Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyer, Los Angeles Times Consumer Attorney Visionary, and Los Angeles Business Journal Leader of Influence. Beyond his casework, he mentors law students, serves on nonprofit boards that provide legal aid to vulnerable communities, and frequently speaks and writes on insurance bad faith, trial strategy, and legislative developments.
