Employment Attorney

Ani M. Akopyan is an accomplished employment law attorney with extensive experience representing both employees and employers in complex employment disputes. With more than two decades of experience practicing exclusively in the field of labor and employment law, Ani has developed a deep understanding of the legal, strategic, and human dimensions that shape employment litigation.

Ani earned her bachelor’s degree, with honors, from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2001, and obtained her Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School in 2004. Since beginning her legal career, she has worked exclusively in the field of employment law, handling cases involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower claims, and wage and hour violations.

Ani began her practice at an employment defense firm in Los Angeles, where she represented employers in employment litigation and gained valuable insight into how employers approach workplace disputes.  In 2006 Ani joined another employment defense firm in Pasadena, where she continued to represent employers and insurance carriers in all aspects of employment law, including high-stakes wage and hour class actions.  In 2014 Ani joined Nemecek & Cole in Los Angeles, where her work focused on employment defense litigation for clients ranging from small businesses to large corporations. This early foundation in defense work provided Ani with a unique perspective on the strategies and priorities of employers in litigation.  Ani joined the Akopyan Law Firm, A.P.C. in 2018, and for several years thereafter limited her practice almost exclusively to the representation of employees in legal disputes involving employment law.

Today, Ani’s practice includes representing both employees and employers in workplace disputes. By working on both sides of employment disputes, Ani has gained rare insight into the mentality, decision-making, and tactics of both plaintiffs and defendants. This balanced experience enables her to litigate strategically and develop tailored approaches designed to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients.

Ani is known for her analytical precision, fearlesness, professionalism, and strategic thinking. She is a skilled litigator who approaches each matter with thorough preparation and an understanding of the long-term implications of every decision. Her dual experience gives her a competitive advantage — allowing her to anticipate her opponent’s arguments, identify leverage points early, and position her clients for success in negotiation, mediation, or trial.

Education

Southwestern Law School

University of California, Los Angeles

Bar Admission

California

Texas

United States District Court for the Central District of California 

United States District Court for the Eastern District of California

United States District Court for the Northern District of California

United States District Court for the Soutern District of California

Professional Recognition

Ani’s accomplishments and professionalism have been recognized by numerous respected legal organizations and publications. She was named among the Top 50 Up-and-Coming Women Attorneys in Southern California in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, and was selected as one of the Top 100 Up-and-Coming Attorneys in Southern California in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Ani was also included in the California Rising Stars℠ list in 2018 and 2019, an honor given to no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state.

Her continued excellence in practice has also earned her recognition by Super Lawyers®, which identifies the top attorneys in Southern California through a patented multiphase selection process involving peer nominations, independent research, and peer evaluations. Ani was selected to the Southern California Super Lawyers® list each year from 2020 through 2026.

In addition, Pasadena Magazine named Ani a Top Attorney from 2012 through 2015 in recognition of her skill, professionalism, and commitment to her clients.

Client Reviews and Testimonials

“I cannot speak highly enough of Ani Akopyan and her incredible work. From the moment I met her, she not only listened to my story but truly believed in my case, which gave me immense confidence. She worked tirelessly, defending me and my rights without ever backing down. When things got tough, she stood her ground with professionalism. Her timely communication and constant updates meant I was never left in the dark. She fought for me till the very end and for that I am truly grateful for her. If you want an attorney who will not give up on you, hire Ani Akopyan.”

“Working with Ani Akopyan was everything I could ask for in an attorney. Ani was extremely knowledgeable and hands on with my case. Ani was very professional and persistent! I’m immensely grateful for the outstanding fight she put up towards the defense. Very impressive! As a new stay at home mother, Ani was very considerate of my situation. My availability was very limited and Ani would go above and beyond to accommodate me. My expectations were definitely exceeded. HUGE thank you to the Akopyan Law Firm! What an amazing experience.”

“I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by Ani and Michael throughout the entire process. They were both highly knowledgeable and personable. At no point did I hesitate to ask for clarification, and they were always patient in addressing my questions. They worked diligently within my capacity, putting forth great effort to ensure the best possible outcome. I feel truly blessed to have come across such an amazing team, and I deeply appreciate their hard work and dedication.”

“I couldn’t be more grateful for the dedication and persistence Ani showed throughout my case. From our very first meeting, it was clear that Ani Akopyan genuinely cared about my situation and was determined to fight for a fair outcome. Throughout the entire process, Ani kept me informed, explained every step in detail and made sure I understood my rights and the legal process. Her commitment to fighting for justice made all the difference in resolving my case successfully. Not only is Ani incredibly knowledgeable and professional but she also showed genuine care and compassion which made a stressful situation much more manageable. I highly recommend Ani Akopyan to anyone in need of a strong trustworthy employment attorney. She truly goes above and beyond!”

“Best decision i made was going with Akopyan Law Firm. Ani was absolutely amazing , i worked with her for about 1 year and she was extremely informative and helpful every step of the way. Very friendly and very professional. I would definitely recommend her 100% Thank You Ani for everything ! ❤️”

“Attorney Ani Akopyan is extremely knowledgeable and confident. She is a hardworker, professional and never forgets a detail about your case. I am very pleased and grateful for the representation. No one fights as hard as Ani and you will be amazed with her strategy and expertise.”

“I was represented better than I could have imagined. The process was always explained to me. My attorney Ani Akopyan fought hard for me. She went above and beyond and did everything she could to ensure a great outcome. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm and attorney.. I felt very comfortable with the law firm and I never had to call to ask for a status on my case as I was always kept informed through the process. I can’t say enough good things about this law firm. Integrity, Honesty, Reliable, Professional!!”

“I am extremely satisfied with the outstanding service provided by Ani Akopian and her law firm. Ani was a fantastic communicator — She was highly responsive, dedicated, and took the time to explain every detail thoroughly. Her professionalism and commitment made the entire process smooth and stress-free. I truly appreciate all the effort she put into helping me, and I highly recommend Ani and her firm to anyone in need of legal advice or assistance.”