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Overview

Shayan is an experienced litigator who uses his highly analytical mind to develop winning strategies for clients involved in high-stakes litigation in state and federal courts.

Shayan is a litigator who divides his practice between mass tort claims, environmental matters, and complex commercial disputes. He represents clients in both jury and bench trials in state and federal court, and he’s well-versed in defense work in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions—where he has the skills to still achieve winning verdicts. Shayan is particularly adept at handling cases that rest on highly complex science, and he frequently works with expert witnesses. He knows that victory often depends on a solid understanding of the chemistry behind his argument.

Shayan began his career with a focus on mass tort work, representing equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and premises owners in complex multi-defendant personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. He has defended clients in matters involving asbestos, talc, construction defect, and premises liability, and he has handled all phases of litigation, from initial complaint to final disposition at trial. While he remains active in the mass tort arena, the experience he gained in these cases led Shayan to expand his practice into litigation involving environmental contamination claims. Shayan represents property owners, manufacturers, and businesses in claims involving soil and groundwater contamination.

In addition to his work with mass tort and environmental regulations, Shayan also represents clients in general commercial litigation and business disputes. He handles breach of contract allegations and other contract disputes as well as litigation involving real property, including title disputes and allegations of real estate fraud.

A highly analytical attorney, Shayan excels at digging into cases and facts and finding alternative sources of exposure. He’s especially passionate about trial preparation and setting a client up to win, with a gift for anticipating his opponent’s next move in court. Shayan takes care to keep overall client goals and needs in mind at every stage, setting a compatible strategy from the very beginning of litigation.

In addition to his client work, Shayan devotes time to pro bono matters and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts inside and outside the firm. He is an active member of Husch Blackwell’s APISWANA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Southwest Asian, North African) Employee Resource Group and values participation in the group’s mentoring program as both a mentor and mentee.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • Northern California Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2022 and 2023

Education

  • J.D., University of San Diego School of Law
    • Business Law Society
  • B.A., Lake Forest College
    • Economics & Political Science

Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • State Bar of California
  • Iranian American Bar Association

Languages

  • Persian, fluent


*Contact Shayan to set up an in-person consultation by appointment in the Oakland office.
Experience
  • Served as second chair trial counsel in a six-week jury trial in an environmental property contamination case for alleged tenants of a dry-cleaning business against plaintiff. Successfully obtained a unanimous 12-0 jury verdict after only three hours of deliberation that absolved all defendants of any liability and awarded zero damages to plaintiff.
  • Member of trial team for an agricultural company in a five-week jury trial in Oregon where plaintiff claimed his injury was caused by use of herbicide. The case resulted in a unanimous defense verdict.
  • Member of trial team for a construction materials company in a four-week jury trial in Solano County, California regarding claims of injury from alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products during plaintiff's work on various construction sites. The case resulted in a defense verdict.
  • Member of trial team for a supplier of talcum powder in a four-week jury trial in Los Angeles County regarding claims of injury from alleged exposure to asbestos-containing talcum powder products during plaintiff's work as a hairdresser. The case resulted in a defense verdict.
  • Obtained early dismissal after filing a dispositive motion for a contractor client based on workers' compensation exclusivity provision in a case filed by familial survivors, claiming exposure to asbestos during decedent's work at various government facilities, thereby avoiding settlement or trial with plaintiff.
  • Achieved favorable outcome for an insulation company in a personal injury matter after obtaining favorable deposition testimony and filing an early dispositive motion.
  • Developed and executed aggressive discovery strategies, acted as lead deposition counsel, drafted motions, and prepared cases for trial in numerous cases in the areas of commercial litigation, mass torts, product liability, premise liability, and other general liability issues.
Outside the Office

Shayan and his wife stay on the go with their two young children. In their spare time, Shayan and his family enjoy movie nights, gardening and travelling domestically and internationally.

Community Leadership

Shayan regularly carves time out of his schedule to represent clients in pro bono cases. The firm’s pro bono casework often involves representing children, tenants, immigrants, the poor, overlooked communities and other disadvantaged groups. At a previous firm, Shayan had the unique experience of working on a pro bono case involving mass-shooting victims at a synagogue.