Niall McCarthyBook Niall
Niall McCarthy, partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy

Trial attorney · San Francisco Bay Area

Niall McCarthy

Partner · Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy

Tesla sued over
La Honda crash.

Lead counsel for a woman critically injured in a head-on collision discusses the new lawsuit—and the questions it raises about demonstration drives and accountability.

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For producers & reporters
Consumer protectionWhistleblower litigationElder abusePersonal injury & wrongful death
Current interview topic · November 12, 2026

A demonstration ride.
A head-on collision.
A new lawsuit.

San Mateo County, California
Michelle Brooks v. Tesla and event organizers

CPM represents Michelle Brooks, a 70-year-old Loma Mar resident critically injured in an August 30 crash on Highway 84.

The complaint alleges a Tesla representative demonstrating a Model Y drove more than 80 mph in a 40-mph zone, crossed the double yellow lines and struck Brooks’ car. It names Tesla, 9burgring and Ambassador Wine Bars LLC, and alleges the marketing event went ahead despite requests from local officials and law enforcement to cancel it.

These are allegations in a newly filed lawsuit. Liability has not been determined.

Read the complaint ↗CPM case background ↗

Thursday, November 12: Interviews after 10 a.m. Pacific by Zoom, phone or in person at CPM’s Burlingame office. Confirm a time when booking.

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For producers & reporters

Courtroom experience.
Clear legal perspective.

On-air introduction
Joining us now is trial attorney Niall McCarthy, a partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy.
Preferred on-screen title
Niall McCarthy
Partner, Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy
Location
San Francisco Bay Area · Pacific Time
Interview setup
Zoom, phone or in person by arrangement.
Office
840 Malcolm Road, Suite 200
Burlingame, CA 94010
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About Niall

Representing people.
Demanding accountability.

Niall P. McCarthy is a partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, where he has practiced since 1992.

His work spans consumer class actions, False Claims Act litigation, elder abuse, and catastrophic injury cases. He is a graduate of UC Davis and Santa Clara University School of Law, and has received four California Lawyer Attorney of the Year awards.

He is a past president of the Consumer Attorneys of California and the San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association.

Full biography · CPM ↗
Legal expertise

Experience behind
the analysis.

01

Consumer protection

Class actions, consumer fraud and financial harm.

02

Whistleblowers

False Claims Act cases and fraud against government.

03

Elder abuse

Financial exploitation and nursing-home accountability.

04

Catastrophic injury

Serious injury, wrongful death and responsibility for preventable harm.

Related courtroom experience · August 2026

$33 million street-racing verdict.

McCarthy led the trial team representing twin girls whose parents were killed in a separate Redwood City crash. The jury held the teenage racer and his parents liable.

Read the case outcome ↗
Media & interview resources

Hear his perspective.

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Selected television reports featuring interviews with Niall McCarthy.

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Podcast · CPM archive

Fraud in America

A conversation with Niall McCarthy on whistleblower litigation.

View the interview ↗Producer resource

Broadcast headshot

Download Niall’s official CPM portrait.

Download image ↓Producer resource

Introduction & bio

His on-air introduction, title and short biography.

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Interview booking

Bring Niall into
the conversation.

Send your story, deadline and preferred interview time. Include your time zone and whether the interview is live or taped.

Television & radioDarren Rogers | News Servicebooking@pressline.media
Print, podcasts & speakingLee Houskeeper | News Servicenewsservice@aol.com(415) 654-9141

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