Becoming an attorney and ultimately running his own successful law practice was the furthest thing from Ali Taheripour’s mind growing up in Tehran, Iran, during the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq war. One of his most vivid childhood memories is sheltering in darkness during Saddam Hussein’s bombing of the Iranian capital.

Fortunately, his family soon immigrated to Los Angeles, where he and his siblings were raised by a single mother. Times were definitely tough for this first-generation immigrant whose academic pursuits took a backseat to earn a living. It wasn’t until Ali was twenty-two years old that, at the urging of a family member, he first considered becoming an attorney.

Ali attended Valley College, earning an Associate Degree in Political Science. Upon the recommendation of his sister and brother-in-law, who were both alumni of the University of West Los Angeles (UWLA), he attended the Woodland Hills campus of the law school, which at the time was called the University of LaVerne College of Law.

Academic Flexibility Was Key to Accommodating Work Schedule

Ali was attracted to UWLA partly because of the flexibility of the school’s part-time law program, which allowed him to continue to work full-time while pursuing his Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Asked how he could juggle the rigors of law study and a day job, he replied, “I was able to pull this off by efficiently managing my time and taking advantage of every opportunity to study.”

During his years at UWLA, Ali was editor-in-chief of the Law Review, while still working side jobs to pay his tuition, books, and other expenses. Fulfilling his academic dream, Ali graduated Salutatorian in 2001, earning over twenty awards for academic excellence. A short time later, he passed the State Bar of California and began to practice law.

Today’s Standout Attorney

Now, with twenty years of experience in civil litigation at the state and federal levels, Ali is a seasoned trial attorney. He has been recognized by prestigious legal organizations such as the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles Association, which nominated him as its top trial lawyer. He was also named a Rising Star in the legal profession by Super Lawyers, a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. He joined the ranks of The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor bestowed on attorneys who have won million and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Fewer than one percent of U.S. lawyers are members.

After working at various firms over the years, Ali started his own law practice, where he specializes in civil litigation. Here he continues his impeccable record as an unwavering advocate on behalf of his clients. He zealously believes in his mission to represent individual clients before powerful, wealthy corporations or complex, impenetrable government entities and bureaucracies, giving them access to justice that they might otherwise be denied.

While he is passionate about representing clients, his efforts to help people extend well beyond his own firm. Ali has undertaken numerous philanthropic endeavors, including volunteer work with The Children’s Hunger Fund and the Los Angeles Rescue Mission. Ali further takes great pride in mentoring young attorneys and law students starting out in their careers. He recently started the Taheripour Law Scholarship to provide aid to students throughout their journey in law school.

Ali looks back fondly at his time at UWLA. “I had a tremendous experience at UWLA,” explained Ali. “During law school, I felt my voice was always heard and that the education I received was second to none. The school taught me to be an individual and to continue to pursue my passion. Amongst the many things I learned from my professors, appreciating my own worth and following my dreams in the legal field, were amongst the most important.”

Ali adds that law school isn’t easy, but with a true commitment and a relentless drive to succeed, anyone can accomplish what he has. He is grateful to UWLA for lighting his spark.

The entire UWLA community is proud of Ali's accomplishments.