Karen Weitzul: The First Wife Who Secured a $200K Settlement from Disgraced Attorney Tom Girardi

Introduction

In the sprawling legal saga surrounding Tom Girardi—once one of America’s most powerful trial attorneys—a name has surfaced that predates his high-profile marriage to “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne. Karen Weitzul, Girardi’s first wife, emerged from the shadows of his spectacular downfall to claim what she was owed, ultimately negotiating a significant settlement amid her former husband’s bankruptcy proceedings. While the world watched Girardi’s empire crumble under allegations of embezzlement and fraud, Weitzul’s story adds a deeply personal dimension to a public scandal that has captivated true crime enthusiasts and reality television fans alike. This article explores who Karen Weitzul is, her history with Tom Girardi, and the legal battle that led to her securing a $200,000 payout from the sale of the Pasadena mansion Girardi once shared with Erika Jayne.

Karen Weitzul: Who Is Tom Girardi’s First Wife?

Karen Weitzul first entered the public eye not through celebrity gossip columns, but through her marriage to a young law student who would later become one of California’s most formidable attorneys. Girardi married Weitzul in August 1964, a union that lasted nearly two decades before ending in divorce in 1983 . The couple likely met while attending Loyola institutions in Los Angeles—Girardi graduated from Loyola High School in 1957, earned his bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1961, and received his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in 1964 . Weitzul herself was among the ten finalists in the Loyola Homecoming Queen contest on November 17, 1959, suggesting she was also a student in the Loyola community when their paths crossed .

According to the California Birth Index, a Karen Rose Weitzel was born on March 5, 1955, in Sacramento County, California, with her mother’s maiden name listed as Braun. While the spelling differs slightly from Weitzul, this record may be related to the same family . The name Karen Weitzul remains relatively obscure in public records, overshadowed by the celebrity status Girardi would achieve later in life through his legal victories and his marriage to Erika Jayne.

The Marriage and Divorce: A History of Financial Obligations

Tom Girardi and Karen Weitzul’s marriage began during a pivotal time in his life—the year he graduated from law school. As Girardi built his reputation and his now-defunct law firm Girardi & Keese, Weitzul was his partner through the early years of his career. However, the marriage did not survive the pressures of his ascendance, and Weitzul filed for divorce in October 1983 . Their divorce was finalized in 1989, but the financial arrangements from that split would continue to reverberate for decades .

As part of their divorce settlement, Girardi was ordered to pay Weitzul $10,000 per month in spousal support—a significant sum that reflected the wealth and success he had achieved as a high-powered attorney . For years, this arrangement appeared to function without major incident. But in 2020, as Girardi’s legal and financial problems began to mount, he requested that his support payments be reduced to $5,000 per month. According to court records cited by Radar Online, Girardi informed Weitzul’s attorney that he “was tired of paying and it was long enough” . This refusal to maintain his financial obligations triggered a legal confrontation that would eventually culminate in Weitzul filing a lien on one of Girardi’s most valuable properties.

The Unpaid Spousal Support and Legal Battle

The breakdown of payments began in early 2020. Girardi paid Weitzul $40,000 to cover February and March of that year, but by October, the situation had deteriorated significantly. Weitzul claimed that Girardi had stopped paying her spousal support entirely, leaving her with an unpaid balance of $45,000 . According to attorney Ronald Richards, who has been involved in the Girardi bankruptcy proceedings, Weitzul subsequently filed court papers revealing that she was owed $10,000 per month and that her total outstanding bill had reached $245,000 .

In August 2020, Weitzul filed a court filing accusing Girardi of contempt for failing to pay the support she was entitled to under their 1989 divorce settlement . The timing was significant—by late 2020, Girardi’s world was collapsing around him. He was being forced into involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy alongside his law firm, facing liabilities of over $6 million, and multiple former clients and creditors were accusing him of owing thousands, if not millions, of dollars . Weitzul’s claims were put on hold as the bankruptcy proceedings took precedence, but she had already taken a critical step to protect her interests.

The Pasadena Mansion and the $200,000 Settlement

Karen Weitzul’s legal strategy took a decisive turn when she filed a lien on the Pasadena mansion that Girardi had shared with his second wife, Erika Jayne . This property, which had been featured prominently on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” became a key asset in Girardi’s bankruptcy proceedings. The mansion, boasting four bedrooms and nine bathrooms, had been the Girardi family home for more than 20 years before it was sold for $7.5 million after two years on the market .

By placing a lien on this property, Weitzul ensured that she would be among the creditors paid from the proceeds of its sale. In December 2022, the trustee presiding over Girardi’s bankruptcy informed the court that Weitzul had reached an agreement . She negotiated a $200,000 settlement from the sale of the mansion, less than the $245,000 she claimed she was owed, but a substantial recovery nonetheless . As part of the settlement, Weitzul agreed to waive any future claims for financial assistance from Girardi .

The Legal Connection to Erika Jayne

The settlement involving Karen Weitzul became intertwined with the legal troubles facing Erika Jayne, whom Girardi married in 2000. In a parallel development, a judge ordered Jayne to hand over a set of diamond earrings that Girardi had purchased for her. Financial records from Girardi’s law firm revealed that the jewelry, which sold at auction for $250,000, had been purchased with clients’ money, and the proceeds were subsequently used to help pay victims of Girardi’s misconduct . Jayne, who filed for legal separation from Girardi in 2020, publicly stated that she could not proceed with a full divorce because doing so would require her to pay alimony to her estranged husband, who was by then facing extensive legal troubles .

Weitzul’s successful claim against the mansion proceeds put her in direct competition with other creditors and victims seeking restitution from Girardi’s diminished estate. That she was able to secure $200,000 from the sale speaks to the priority of spousal support claims in bankruptcy proceedings and the legal steps she took to protect her interests . In contrast, the millions of dollars Girardi allegedly embezzled from his clients—including funds meant to compensate victims of disasters and accidents—remain largely unrecovered.

Conclusion

Karen Weitzul’s story is one of perseverance, legal strategy, and the long arm of financial obligation. From her college days as a Loyola Homecoming Queen finalist to her marriage and eventual divorce from one of California’s most powerful attorneys, her life has taken unexpected turns that thrust her into the glare of public attention. While Tom Girardi’s legal downfall has dominated headlines, Weitzul’s role in this saga serves as a reminder that behind every public scandal are private individuals fighting for what they are owed. The $200,000 settlement she secured may pale in comparison to the millions Girardi once commanded, but it represents a significant victory for a woman who had been owed unpaid support and refused to be ignored. As the Girardi bankruptcy case continues to unfold, Weitzul’s story stands as a testament to the importance of protecting one’s legal rights, even when pitted against a powerful adversary in the midst of a spectacular fall from grace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Karen Weitzul?

Karen Weitzul is the first wife of disgraced attorney Tom Girardi. The couple married in August 1964 and divorced in 1983, with the divorce finalized in 1989. She was a finalist in the Loyola Homecoming Queen contest in 1959 and likely met Girardi while they were both part of the Loyola community in Los Angeles .

How much did Karen Weitzul receive in her settlement?

Karen Weitzul negotiated a $200,000 settlement from the sale of the Pasadena mansion that Tom Girardi had shared with his second wife, Erika Jayne. She had originally claimed she was owed $245,000 in unpaid spousal support .

Why was Tom Girardi ordered to pay spousal support?

As part of his 1989 divorce settlement with Karen Weitzul, Tom Girardi was ordered to pay $10,000 per month in spousal support. In February 2020, he requested to reduce this amount to $5,000 per month, which triggered the legal dispute over unpaid support .

What was Karen Weitzul’s connection to the Pasadena mansion?

Karen Weitzul filed a lien on the Pasadena mansion that Girardi shared with Erika Jayne. When the property was sold for $7.5 million, the proceeds were used to pay creditors, including Weitzul, who secured a $200,000 settlement from the sale .

How long were Tom Girardi and Karen Weitzul married?

Tom Girardi and Karen Weitzul were married for approximately 19 years, from August 1964 until their divorce in 1983 .

Did Karen Weitzul’s settlement affect Erika Jayne?

While the settlement came from the sale of the mansion Jayne shared with Girardi, the two matters were separate. Jayne was separately ordered to surrender diamond earrings purchased with clients’ funds, which sold for $250,000 to pay Girardi’s victims .

What happened to Tom Girardi’s law firm?

Tom Girardi’s law firm, Girardi & Keese, was forced into involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy in December 2020 amid allegations of embezzling millions of dollars from clients, including victims of disasters and accidents .