Attorney Ara Sahelian

I defend small business owners in lawsuits brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA). Despite this, I am a strong proponent of the ADA. I myself am confined to a wheelchair, having been afflicted with polio at a very young age. It is because of the ADA that I have been able to, over the years, visit courthouses, conduct trials, and travel throughout the US.
I've defended nearly 400 cases brought under the ADA. From my viewpoint, the majority of the cases brought by serial filers have no merit. While I will settle cases that have merit, I will fight the ones that do not. I've resolved over 120 cases - paying nothing to the serial filers or their attorneys.
I defend cases in state and district courts, from San Diego to San Francisco. I have strong-armed many serial filers into dismissing cases. Simply put, if a case is meritless I advise my clients not to settle.
I will go out of my way to protect a small business from a predatory lawsuit. My clients describe me as driven and relentless – a bulldog with a big heart. They appreciate my broad experience in all aspects of business litigation, and my engineering background – knowledge which I acquired early in my career as project engineer for Fortune 500 companies.
I have represented many deserving clients Pro Bono.
I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (with honors) from Drexel University (Philadelphia), and a Juris Doctor from the University of West Los Angeles (which I acquired while employed full-time as a project manager). I sat for and passed the California Bar Examination on my first try.