Shiraz Simonian

Shiraz Simonian was born in Los Angeles, California.  He earned his bachelor of arts in political science with a minor in psychology from University of Southern California in 2002.  He earned his juris doctorate and master in business administration degrees from Pepperdine University in 2006.

Mr. Simonian was admitted to the California Bar in 2006 and is a successful trial attorney.  His vast litigation experience as an attorney includes the following:

Employment Law 

• Successfully represented employees in various employment claims including, but not limited to, wrongful termination, minimum wage violations, discrimination and retaliation pursuant to the Fair Employment and Housing Act, willful misclassification of an employee (W-2 vs. 1099), meal and rest break violations, unpaid overtime, late payment penalties, whistleblower laws, and various other violations under the Labor Code.
• Obtained several large settlements for clients prior to filing a lawsuit.
• Represented employers in various types of claims including misclassification, meal and rest break violations, and unpaid overtime issues.

Personal Injury

• Successfully represented clients in personal injury matters resulting from automobile accidents to dog bites, obtaining satisfactory monetary compensation for clients

Complex Business Litigation and Disputes                         

• Successfully represented financial institutions in trial on various issues dealing with violations of Business and Professions Code provisions, fraud, quiet title, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and other Civil Code violations
• Represented a multifaceted company specializing in the development and delivery of high-qualify consumer services and products in a complex litigation involving breach of contract, disputes over the provisions of internet advertising and issues regarding online solicitations and customer-creating/verified leads.  
• Represented a global leader in pallet and container pooling services company providing on-site management and logistics support for the storage and shipment of catalysts and chemicals used in the petroleum refining, gas processing, and petrochemicals manufacturing industries in a breach of contract litigation.  

Corporate

• Acted as general counsel for a major club owner/operator and assisted in drafting LLC operating agreements, representing client in various types of lawsuits, acquiring ABC license and employment visa.  

State and Local Tax Litigation and Controversies                           

• In a suit for refund of taxes and penalties against the State Board of Equalization (“Board”), assisted in drafting post-trial briefs which ultimately overturned a long-standing policy of the Board that was put to use for 30+ years.  
• In the same suit, assisted in drafting a successful motion for attorneys’ fees under California Code of Civil Procedure § which ultimately led the Court in awarding over $660,000 in fees and costs.     
• Assisted a synagogue and a religious school in obtaining church and welfare exemptions from property taxes.
• Argued property tax matters in front of the Los Angeles County Assessment Appeals Board.
• Argued business tax matters in front of the Los Angeles County Office of Finance.

Worker’s Compensation

• Litigate numerous worker’s compensation cases in front of the California Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board

Appellate Courts

• Draft writs and briefs in preparation of appellate arguments.
• Argued in front of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd District Courts of Appeal and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
• Draft writs for the California Supreme Court

Publications

• Attorney at Law Magazine, "Do's and Don'ts for Starting Your Own Law Practice," Downtown L.A. Edition, Vol. 2, No. 5, June 2016.
• Journal of Multi State Taxation and Incentives, "Court Overturns California BOE's Longstanding Policy on Corporate Officer Liability," January 2010