Thiago M. Coelho, Esq. is a Partner at Wilshire Law Firm, PLC, and serves as the Chair of the Consumer and Data Privacy Class Action departments. He represents large classes of consumers in complex, large-scale litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the United States. He is among the few attorneys in California to try a certified class action to verdict—and win. A Los Angeles County Superior Court (Complex Civil) judge has described Thiago’s trial advocacy as “excellent … extraordinary.” His litigation experience has earned him significant recognition, including a 2024 California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) award by The Daily Journal.
Thiago has litigated hundreds of cases nationwide and has extensive experience across all stages of litigation, including trials and appeals. His victories include a landmark California Court of Appeal decision in Moore v. Centrelake Med. Grp., Inc., 83 Cal. App. 5th 515 (2022), review denied (Dec. 14, 2022), which overturned the trial court’s dismissal in a data‑privacy class action against a medical provider. Moore set precedent in key areas, including the standard for acceptable credit‑monitoring costs and acceptance of the benefit‑of‑the‑bargain damages theory under the UCL and for breach of contract. In the Ninth Circuit, he obtained interlocutory review and vacatur of the denial of class certification in Mier v. CVS Health, No. 22‑55665, 2023 WL 4837851 (9th Cir. July 28, 2023). Most recently, Thiago prevailed in Bland v. Urology of Greater Atlanta, LLC, No. A25A1133 (Ga. Ct. App. Oct. 6, 2025) which the Fifth Division reversed a dismissal under OCGA § 9‑11‑12(b)(6) in a healthcare data‑breach class action, reinstating claims for negligence, breach of implied contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and injunctive relief. In Peters, et al. v. Apple Inc., No. 19STCV21787 (Cal. Super. Ct.), he recovered 90% of the maximum value for a $25 million common‑fund settlement. Further, in 2024, Thiago secured the second‑highest settlement in history for a class action against a fashion retailer in a civil‑rights practice area.
He has been recognized by industry peers for his dedication to excellence and has received numerous legal accolades, including Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40, Top 25 Class Action Attorney, and the Top 10 Data Privacy Attorney. Beyond his legal expertise, he is also a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Thiago serves on the Data Breach Committee of the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), which works to refine and develop legislation to keep pace with the evolving privacy landscape. He is the Vice President of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Section and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Practice Areas
- Class Actions
- Mass Actions
- Unfair Competition Actions
- Consumer Protection
- Data Privacy
- Investment Fraud
- Qui Tam Claims
- Antitrust
Education
- University of Central Florida – Bachelor of Science
- University of Southern California, Gould School of Law – Juris Doctor
Accolades
- California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (CLAY)
- Super Lawyers
- Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch
- The Class Action Trial Lawyers – Top 25, NTL
- Data Privacy Trial Lawyers – Top 10, NTL
- Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Lawyers, NTL
Memberships
- Data Breach Committee of the Consumer Attorneys Of California (CAOC)
- Class Action Division, American Association for Justice (AAJ)
- Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA)
- Impact Fund
- American Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association – Board of Trustees
- Los Angeles County Bar Association – Privacy and Cybersecurity Section
Publications & Appearances
- “Citizens Policing the Police: An Evaluation of Citizens Recording Police Officers and Eavesdropping Laws,” 51 No. 1 Crim. Law Bulletin ART 6 (2015)
- “Mass Arbitration and Automation,” Speaker at National Trial Lawyers Summit
