- Kurt Arnold of the Arnold & Itkin law firm claims to have obtained the “largest settlement for an undocumented worker in United States history.”
- The Abraham Watkins law firm, which advertises that it represents illegal immigrants in personal injury lawsuits, has touted its role in “guaranteeing undocumented workers a fair day in court.”
- The Arnold & Itkin and Abraham Watkins law firms, which both helped bankroll an effort to “Stop MAGA Republicans” during the 2024 General Election, are now spending big to influence Republican Primary elections in Texas
Two liberal personal injury law firms that have combined to spend over $11 million thus far in the 2026 election cycle – including spending to influence Texas Republican Primary elections – have boasted about their work representing illegal immigrants on their firm websites.
On his website, Kurt Arnold of the Arnold & Itkin law firm brags about obtaining the “largest settlement for an undocumented worker in United States history.”
Arnold and his law partner, Jason Itkin, formed the Texans for Truth and Liberty PAC last year with an initial contribution of $10 million from their law firm. Texans for Truth and Liberty has already spent nearly $1 million, with the bulk of that spending going towards Republican Primary races.
Another politically active law firm, Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, has also boasted about its work representing illegal immigrants in civil lawsuits.
Last year, the Abraham Watkins law firm donated $1 million to the Coalition for Working Families PAC – a political action committee whose treasurer, Jacob Smith, is a registered lobbyist whose clients include the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and labor unions.
“Regardless of your immigration status—whether you are a citizen, legal immigrant, or undocumented individual—you have the right to seek justice if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Call us at [phone number] for a free consultation. Everyone deserves equal access to justice,” reads one page of the Abraham Watkins law firm website.
Another section of the firm’s website states, “By seeking legal counsel from experienced personal injury attorneys, such as those at Abraham Watkins, undocumented immigrants can overcome challenges in obtaining compensation and protecting their rights throughout the process. Remember, no one should be denied justice or fair compensation due to their immigration status.”
Abraham Watkins also touts its role in a case that resulted in a court opinion “guaranteeing undocumented workers a fair day in court.”
As reported by Brad Johnson, the Abraham Watkins-funded Coalition for Working Families PAC has spent at least $110,000 on media buys in support of Republican State Representative Marc LaHood.
Despite Abraham Watkins’ work on behalf of illegal immigrants, one of the television ads paid for by the Coalition for Working Families PAC falsely claimed that a bill opposed by LaHood involving trucking lawsuits would make trucking companies that hire illegal immigrants “immune from responsibility after an accident.”
The legislation referenced in the ad, Senate Bill 39, would have made procedural changes to how certain lawsuits involving trucking accidents were tried and did not involve illegal immigration. Senate Bill 39 was a priority bill for Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and was supported by every Republican State Senator. The bill ultimately died in the Texas House.
Along with George Soros and other personal injury trial lawyers, both the Arnold & Itkin and Abraham Watkins law firms were major donors to the left-wing First Tuesday PAC during the 2024 election cycle.
As previously reported by The Texas Voice, First Tuesday was responsible for a multi-million dollar ad campaign that encouraged voters to “Stop MAGA Republicans” and “Vote For Every Democrat.” The Arnold & Itkin and Abraham Watkins law firms each donated $300,000 to First Tuesday in support of their efforts to elect Democrats in 2024.
Personal injury trial lawyers have opposed efforts in other states that have limited the types of damages illegal aliens can recover in civil lawsuits.
Last year, Louisiana lawmakers passed a package of tort reform bills, which Governor Jeff Landry signed into law. Under one of these new laws, House Bill 436, illegal immigrants who are involved in a car accident in Louisiana are now unable to recover lost wages as well as general damages such as pain and suffering and mental anguish in a civil lawsuit. They are still entitled to recover compensation for medical bills and property damage.
Louisiana’s tort reform legislation, including House Bill 436, has been the subject of vocal criticism from prominent personal injury trial lawyers in the state.
