Grant Riley and Victoria Ersoff, both accomplished lawyers with successful careers in their own right, found themselves on a serendipitous collision course toward a shared mission. Their individual journeys, expertise and passions converged, leading to a powerful partnership dedicated to addressing these pressing issues.
A sophisticated, proactive and aggressive attorney with 35 years of in-the-trenches experience litigating complex, big-money disputes, Riley was a partner at three of the most prestigious firms in Los Angeles litigating and resolving multimillion-dollar disputes on behalf of public companies, Hollywood studios, national banks and real estate developers. His reputation was impeccable and success undeniable when he reached a moment of self-reflection that altered his legal course.
“I took a break for a couple of months after finishing a grueling case and decided that I was no longer interested in working for giant corporations by the hour,” he says. “I thought about what I wanted to do and having defended some habitability (slum housing) cases, I decided to become a plaintiffs’ attorney prosecuting these cases on behalf of innocent tenants. That expanded to lead poisoning, then carbon monoxide poisoning and now Legionnaires’ disease cases. And, after joining forces with my amazing partner, I haven’t looked back. This work is extremely rewarding.”
The other half of this dynamic duo is Victoria Ersoff, a litigation attorney with over 28 years of experience on both sides of the courtroom. Ersoff’s proactive, innovative and aggressive approach to the practice of law has yielded an unbroken string of jury verdicts for her clients. She is nationally recognized for her expertise in all facets of toxic tort litigation and mass bacterial outbreaks, and, after handling of over 1,000 Legionnaires’ disease claims nationwide, she has earned the reputation as the go-to Legionnaires’ disease attorney.
Ironically, the two talented attorneys became acquainted from across the courtroom aisle. Despite being on opposite sides of various cases, they couldn’t deny mutual admiration and respect for one another.
“I loved the defense work. But for several years, I knew deep down that I was fighting the wrong fight,” Ersoff says. “I had several lead poisoning cases against my now partner Grant Riley, whom I consider the best of the best. I always felt that every time we were entrenched in a battle, and there were a lot of battles, I upped my game and improved my skills as a lawyer. When he suggested one day that I leave the defense side and become his partner, I jumped at the chance. It was the best decision I ever made.”
With the birth of Riley | Ersoff, the partners made it their mission to champion the rights of individuals and families living in substandard conditions. Their team of dedicated attorneys has offered a ray of hope for countless tenants whose pleas for better living conditions have fallen on deaf ears.
Having traveled different legal paths, Riley and Ersoff’s unique talents and areas of expertise complement one another creating the ideal partnership. Both understand the legal intricacies involved in landlord-tenant disputes and work diligently to ensure their clients’ voices are heard. Armed with knowledge, experience and a deep commitment to justice, they go to great lengths to hold uncooperative landlords accountable for their actions.
