Taylor O’Neal

Taylor O’Neal joined the San Diego, California, offices of Baron & Budd’s Environmental Litigation Group as an associate in 2021. Ms. O’Neal knew she wanted to become an attorney by the time she was eight years old. A desire to make a difference in people’s lives compelled her to embark on her legal journey. A deep and abiding respect for the environment and keeping people safe from harm eventually led her to Baron & Budd.

Ms. O’Neal represents various California counties in their wildfire claims against utility companies. She is part of a team of dedicated attorneys that has resolved nearly $1.5 billion for their public entity clients since 2018. Additionally, Ms. O’Neal represents individual plaintiffs in their claims against negligent utility companies for their roles in some of California’s most devastating wildfires. She is passionate about holding utility companies responsible and working to help her clients rebuild what the wildfires have destroyed.

Also, Ms. O’Neal represents many school districts in litigation against JUUL Labs, Inc., the e-cigarette manufacturer notorious for creating an epidemic of youth vaping that has pervaded schools across the nation. She believes it is important to ensure that future generations have a safe and healthy environment in which to thrive.

Ms. O’Neal received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2016. She was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Honors Psychology Program, and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. She lives by her alma mater’s motto, “A Choice to Change the World.”

Ms. O’Neal graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2019. As a law student, she was President of the Black Law Students Association and a member of the Mock Trial team. While in law school, she worked at an international corporate and securities litigation firm, where she was a participant in the San Diego Diversity Fellowship Program. Ms. O’Neal also worked as a law clerk doing plaintiff-side workers’ compensation and civil litigation. It was during this time that she realized just how meaningful her interactions could be with clients who needed fair and just representation against irresponsible employers and behemoth corporations.

National Black Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers have named Taylor O’Neal to their list of “40 Under 40” attorneys in California every year since 2022. She has also received awards for her performance and participation in the San Diego chapter of the prestigious Louis M. Welsh Inn of Court.

In her spare time, Ms. O’Neal enjoys trying new restaurants and traveling. She also loves spending time with her family, especially her younger brother and sister.