Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Eaton Fire Lawsuits Return to Court Tuesday With Pasadena and Altadena Plaintiffs Pressing Case Against Edison

A motion hearing in the consolidated litigation against Southern California Edison advances proceedings that include the Pasadena Jewish Temple, the Pasadena Unified School District and hundreds of Altadena homeowners

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge will convene a motions hearing Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the consolidated Eaton Fire litigation against Southern California Edison, advancing pre-trial proceedings in a case that now includes the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, the Pasadena Unified School District and nearly 1,000 other plaintiffs.

The hearing, before Judge Laura A. Seigle in Department 17 of the Spring Street Courthouse in the downtown Los Angeles Civic Center, is part of a mass tort advancing toward a first bellwether trial scheduled for January 25, 2027. The litigation alleges that Edison’s transmission equipment played a role in starting the January 7, 2025, fire that killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 structures across Altadena.

The consolidated proceeding is anchored by Gursey v. Southern California Edison Co. (No. 25STCV00731), filed January 13, 2025, by Altadena homeowner Jeremy Gursey, whose Lake Avenue property was destroyed. Plaintiffs allege that an electrical failure occurred on overhead power lines owned by SCE, igniting vegetation beneath one of the utility’s transmission towers. High winds then pushed the fire into Eaton Canyon and neighboring communities amid gusts reaching 100 mph. The blaze burned 14,021 acres before full containment on January 31, 2025.

Cal Fire’s official cause determination remains “undetermined.” Edison has acknowledged in public statements that circumstantial evidence suggests one of its idled high-voltage transmission lines could have ignited the blaze.

The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center filed its lawsuit in January 2026, alleging the fire destroyed its sanctuary, preschool and community buildings on Altadena Drive. The congregation is represented by Zimmerman Reed LLP and Murray Law Firm.

“Our congregation has been without a physical home for more than a year, at a time when our members had the deepest need for refuge and healing,” Senior Rabbi Joshua Ratner said in a statement at the time of the filing, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Pasadena Unified School District filed its lawsuit in March 2025. According to a press release from counsel Baron & Budd P.C., the fire destroyed five district campuses, including Franklin Elementary, Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School and three campuses housing charter and Montessori programs. The district is represented by Baron & Budd P.C. and Diab Chambers LLP.

“The destruction of multiple schools and educational facilities has created an immense burden on students, families, and the entire educational community,” said John Fiske, a shareholder at Baron & Budd P.C. and outside counsel for the district.

Richard Bridgford, a partner at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian who represents Gursey, said in remarks reported by Pasadena Now: “We happen to know the ignition point is directly below their line.”

Edison has denied sole responsibility. On January 16, 2026, the utility filed cross-complaints naming Los Angeles County, Pasadena Water & Power, five other water agencies and Southern California Gas. “SCE is not aware of evidence pointing to another possible source of ignition,” Edison International CEO Pedro Pizarro said during a 2025 earnings call, according to LA Downtown News.

The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday in Department 17 of the Spring Street Courthouse, 312 N. Spring St., Los Angeles. The court clerk can be reached at 213-310-7017. Judge Seigle has maintained the January 25, 2027, trial date despite SCE’s request to push it to August.