Interview with Narbeh Shirvanian, ESQ.

  1. Can you tell us a little bit about you, your background, and your upbringing?

I am a San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles) native. completed undergraduate at UCLA with an initial focus on biology and later switched to political theory in order to direct my focus on law school. Graduated from southwestern law school in December 2008, passed the February 2009 bar on the first attempt, and began my legal career as an insurance defense lawyer for a large multi state firm representing liability carriers. I later joined a personal injury firm to sharpen litigation skills in representing injured victims of motor vehicle, wrongful death, and premises liability cases. I later joined a prominent private litigation firm where we represented public entities ranging from cities, counties, and school districts in various complex and high exposure cases in the public works construction, employment, and general civil litigation fields. In 2012 I formed the Shirvanian Law Firm and have served as its managing attorney since. My upbringing: raised by hard working immigrant parents from Iran that focused on core family values and education as being paramount. Two younger siblings one a physician and the other a soon to be nurse practitioner.

  1. What motivated and encouraged you to want to become an attorney? Was gaining momentum an easy road for you?

UCLA really shaped this decision, specifically a course in the political/philosophy department that focused on legal principles, debate and discourse, and issues pertaining to abuse of power and access to legal resources. Being involved in a bad car crash with my parents when i was younger really was the nail in the coffin. Having represented insurance companies and corporations in the beginning of my career really helped solidify that i was a lawyer for the people, to “listen, care, and take each case personally.” Defending insurance companies and corporations was not fulfilling. The human aspect was lacking and i am a people person and people pleaser. 

Gaining momentum in my own law practice had its difficulties. Very challenging to leave the corporate world with big law resources to having to do everything on my own. I started with zero help, zero financial support, and literally began from the bottom. I had very little cases in the beginning which was nice because it allowed me to really focus on the cases I did have and get sizeable results for my clients. I was a newly wed to the love of my life and being able to balance work and home life was really great. My office started in an extra bedroom, to later a small executive office space, to now a spacious law firm suite with full staff and a booming law practice. We take pride in what we are doing in the community and serving our clients needs. Every day is still challenging, yet we focus on providing excellent customer service and in turn fair and often maximum financial recoveries for our clients. Handing a client a big settlement check and seeing how they light up and how their life changes is really something that gives my life immense purpose. 

  1. Are you happy with your decision to become an attorney? What are the pros and cons in your opinion of your experience?

Definitely happy. I am able to provide legal resources to those that cannot afford to pay out of pocket, we work on contingency fee basis only. I manage a great team of professionals and in doing so am able to delegate tasks to trusted team members who provide the same level of care and attention to firm clients as I do. Being my own boss gives me flexibility to spend time with my wife and three children, whom i drop off at school daily before coming to the office. I am able to make time for myself to exercise, take guitar lessons, and network in the community. Pros definitely outweigh the cons. It is a fast paced and stressful job, and being a business owner means I am always working and answering calls after hours and on weekends. 

  1.  What inspired and still inspires you today to keep moving forward in your line of work?

The clients are what keep me going. When friends need help, they call me. When injured people need help, they call me. Serving their needs and interests and delivering results in terms of monetary compensation to my clients keeps me ticking. It’s exhilarating negotiating deals and making magic happen as we say internally. My kids see how hard I work and i think it instills some drive in them as well. 

  1. What are the key steps for someone to want to pursue a career in law?

If one really wants to be a lawyer, they need to chase that dream. Take the lsat, do your best, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Go to the best schools you get into, really understand how the law works and the interplay amongst all subjects in law school. Put in the time to excel during law school. Will help tremendously in the bar exam. Intern for different law firms. Go the extra mile. Put in initiative, listen, and learn. A day doesn’t go by where I don’t learn something new. Take psychology courses, understand human behavior and sharpen your social skills. You are your best advertising, and your reputation will always precede you. Be a good person, don’t cut corners, and always maintain integrity and ethics. 

  1. What advice do you give to upcoming lawyers both in and out of school?

Pay your dues. We all did. Upcoming or newly admitted lawyers are just learning how to practice. Understand that there is a practice of law and also the business of law. Learn to market yourself and the firm you are working for. In school you should be focusing on developing the legal mind, legal communication, developing good writing skills, hone in on public speaking, oral argument. Out of school, maintain healthy habits, a strong mind, and network network network! 

  1.  What services do you provide in the practice of law? Do you work with any specific populations more than others?

My firm currently exclusively handles personal injury cases, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death cases. We serve all of California. We litigate cases against some of the biggest insurance companies and their defense firms. 

  1.  Overall, where do you see yourself in the next 10 years? Do you hope to have your own firm or expand in any other businesses? If so, tell us more! 

I have been in the legal world since 2005 when I first started clerking at firms during law school. Been licensed since 2009. In 10 years, I will be in my 24/25th year as a lawyer. I will have larger law practice with more staff and attorneys for sure. Expansion is always a focus of ours, with keeping our core principles in mind to always strive for quality over quantity. We are always looking to hire smart and capable team members to join our team. 

  1.  Lastly, we’d like to ask you how is the best way for someone interested in your services to reach out to you and what should they prepare before the consultation/meeting?

Reaching us is simple. Website www.shirvanianlawfirm.com with 24/7 live chat. (818) 835-5396 locally or (877) 809-4223 toll free. After hours calls route to my cell typically so I’m always connected to offer help and consultations. We invite potential clients to contact us immediately as success on our cases really depends on getting involved at the outset of any potential claim. It’s our pleasure to offer our resources to the community. 

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