About Us - Oakwood Legal Group

Why Choose Us?

Trained at top law schools, including Harvard Law School, our attorneys provide a level of expertise that is unmatched in the field of personal injury law. We understand that being injured in an accident is a life changing event that may cause you many hardships. You may suffer physical pain, emotional pain, financial pain and more. We know that your quality of life may not ever go back to how it was before your accident and we fight endlessly to get our clients MAXIMUM compensation and that’s why we offer a “No Attorney Fee Guarantee.”

We also will come to YOU. After being injured in any accident, it may be difficult to conduct routine activities such as traveling to our law office. For that reason, our staff takes great pride in client service and client convenience. We also work hard in helping our clients receive the medical treatment they need while we fight to ensure the insurance companies cover ALL the bills. Lastly, for those injured in vehicle accidents we will immediately arrange for the repair of your vehicle and rental.

We handle personal injury cases such as car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful deaths, instances of sexual abuse, and premise liability cases including slip/trip and fall accidents. We’ve recovered MILLIONS OF DOLLARS fighting vigorously for VICTIMS who’ve been injured.

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Harvard Trained

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Award Winning Law Firm

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Over 40 Years Combined Experience

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Free Consultation 24/7

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No Attorney Fee Guarantee

MEET THE TEAM

Raymond J. Zolekhian

Partner

Michael D. Terani

Partner

Elan B. Zektser

Partner & Senior Trial Attorney

Michael W. Carney

Of Counsel

Brennan S. Huelse

Partner & Trial Attorney

Simona Danesh

Of Counsel

Simona Danesh is Of Counsel at Oakwood Legal Group, LLP. Simona received her Juris Doctor from the California Western School of Law and is licensed to practice in California State, the Federal Southern, Eastern, and the Central District Courts of California. While obtaining her B.A. in International Studies from California University, Long Beach, Simona earned a University Diploma (diplôme universitaire) in French and European Studies from L’université Aix-Marseille III, Aix-en-Provence in France during a year-long study abroad program. Simona joined the team at Oakwood Legal Group after connecting with the firm’s drive for vindicating the rights of their clients.

Simona’s drive to help victims of unlawful and negligent conduct stems from her genuine compassion for others. Her person-centered approach begins with honesty and respect. She strives to create an empowering environment where her clients feel safe to share their stories. This successful technique arms Simona with the pertinent information she needs to set achievable legal goals for her clients, goals that not only give victims a voice but propel them towards securing the justice they deserve.

Simona has represented employees throughout California in single-plaintiff cases, class actions, and PAGA representative actions involving matters such as wrongful termination, unpaid wages, workplace discrimination, and sexual harassment. Prior to this experience, Simona frequently handled complex and catastrophic cases, including birth injuries, brain injuries, and wrongful death. Her aggressive litigation practices have secured several multi-million-dollar settlements throughout her career: $5 million on behalf of a child who sustained permanent lifelong neurological injury and cognitive impairment; $5 million on behalf of a child in a birth injury case resulting in quadriplegic cerebral palsy; and $3 million on behalf of an individual catastrophically injured in a multi-vehicle car crash.

Simona was inspired to become an attorney after spending a significant amount of time studying and working abroad in France, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Dubai, Iran, and Malta on issues ranging from systemic discrimination, socio-economic and political disenfranchisement, and human rights violations. After attending sentencing hearings in Tanzania at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Simona was determined to pursue a career in law to advocate on behalf of individuals who have been wronged.

Outside of the firm, Simona is active in the legal community and holds memberships in several bar associations dedicated to the vindication of employees and injured individuals, including the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), and the California Employment Lawyers Association. In 2018, Simona was appointed to the Delegation and Diversity in the Profession Committees of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA). Simona was also recognized as a bar leader by LACBA in honor of Women’s History Month. In addition, Simona has done pro bono and volunteer work for organizations such as the Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project and Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law in an effort to give more back to her community.

James W. Lewis

Of Counsel

Uriel A. Gdolian

Associate

Ivanna Shakh

Of Counsel

Ryan A. Camastra

Of Counsel

Ryan A. Camastra is Of Counsel at Oakwood Legal Group, LLP. He focuses exclusively on litigating civil sexual abuse and assault matters on behalf of children and vulnerable adults. Understanding the life-long effects of trauma, Ryan represents his clients to ensure that they feel comfortable and heard. His empathetic approach with clients establishes trust from their first meeting and creates a safe environment for survivors to tell their stories. Ryan demystifies the civil legal process by using clear language and active communication. By eliminating these barriers, his clients are confident in his abilities to obtain the justice that they deserve.

Prior to joining the firm, Ryan worked as a law clerk for Children’s Law Center of California. There, he assisted minors’ counsel in dependency court relating to child abuse and neglect proceedings. He subsequently worked as an associate attorney at a plaintiffs’ side personal injury firm in Southern California, frequently handling complex civil products liability and toxic tort matters. There, his work was instrumental in securing various six and seven figure settlements on behalf of his clients, including a $1,125,000.00 settlement in a contested products liability matter on behalf of an individual injured while utilizing industrial machinery.

In addition to representing survivors of sexual abuse, Ryan has significant experience working with and advocating for students. Prior to law school, Ryan worked as a clinician and provided one-on-one specialized instruction for children with special needs. During law school, Ryan volunteered as a project leader for the Inclusive Education Project, where he attended IEP meetings with families and school district officials to advocate on behalf of students. Ryan also there conducted “Know-Your-Rights” meetings with parents and professionals to provide guidance on matters relating to special education law.

Ryan’s dedication has earned him several honors and accolades throughout his legal career. During law school, Ryan received the UCI Law Dean’s Award in Negotiations and Mediation and the UCI Law Faculty Award in both his Research Fellowship and Wills and Trusts courses. Ryan was further awarded the 2017-2018 UCI Law Pro Bono Achievement Award for his work in the community.Ryan graduated with a B.M. from the University of Southern California and obtained his J.D. from the University of California, Irvine School of Law. He is licensed to practice in California and the United States District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California. Ryan joined the Slater Slater Schulman team in October 2021 at the chance to seek justice and healing on behalf of sexual abuse survivors.

Justin Lee

Of Counsel

Vache Muradian

Of Counsel

Vache Muradian is Of Counsel at Oakwood Legal Group, LLP and a driven advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. With a retribution-minded perspective and approach to achieving justice for his clients, Vache frequently represents cases pertaining to child and adult sexual assault. Establishing trust is imperative to Vache when forging relationships with survivors. First and foremost, Vache ensures his clients feel their voices are heard and valued. Vache provides transparent representation through detail-focused questions by establishing clear and attainable legal goals. He maintains responsive and respectful communication with his clients throughout the entire process to ensure they stay informed every step towards attaining justice.

In addition to his practice, Vache is a proud and active member of the American Inns of Court. Invited as a law student, Vache frequently hosts and attends monthly meetings with panel presentations on various topics related to the law and provides mentorship opportunities to students and newer attorneys from more experienced attorneys and judges. Valuing his experience with the Americans Inns of Court, Vache continued his membership as a licensed attorney after graduation to give back to others who had generously given to him.

Vache has always demonstrated a passion for law and helping others. While attending law school, Vache served on the Law Review Executive Board as Notes & Comments Editor, helping students research and write articles for publication. He was also asked to join the law school’s Moot Court Honors Program as an oralist, attending and competing in the American Bar Association’s National Moot Court Competition in February 2020 in Brooklyn, New York.

Prior to the firm, Vache worked at Edmund D. Edelman’s Children’s Court for six years as a full-time dependency paralegal for Los Angeles Country Counsel while attending evening law school. He frequently represented the Department of Children and Family Services in matters of child abuse and child neglect, investigating and obtaining records to substantiate allegations against abusive parents or caretakers. This experience fueled Vache’s drive for continuing to advocate for child welfare issues and dedicating his career to representing survivors of child sexual abuse.

Vache’s most notable case to date involved a child abduction case during his time at LA County Counsel. The case involved an extremely violent mother who abducted two of her at-risk children and fled to Mexico. Vache was a vital part in interviewing numerous family members to determine the children’s whereabouts, ultimately resulting in their safe return. In addition to his work with child and adult sexual assault cases, Vache has experience in both civil and employment litigation involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, product liability, wrongful termination, discrimination, and other general liability matters.

Vache graduated with his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), prior to graduating magna cum laude with his J.D. from Southwestern Law School ranking within the top 5% of his class as an evening student while working full-time. Vache is admitted to the State Bar of California and the U.S. District Court Central District of California. He joined the Slater Slater Schulman team in April 2022 fully committed and in line with the firm’s passion for child welfare advocation and child safety issues.

Michael A. Amaro

Of Counsel

Mackenzie Johnson

Of Counsel

Mackenzie Johnson is Of Counsel at Oakwood Legal Group and a fierce advocate for survivors of sexual trauma and abuse. Mackenzie is an integral part of the firm’s sexual abuse department, frequently representing children, adults victimized as children, and adult survivors in institutional abuse.a

Mackenzie serves as a uniquely qualified advocate for survivors, prioritizing connection and honesty above all else. As a survivor of sexual abuse herself and a bilingual attorney, Mackenzie genuinely empathizes and supports her clients in ways most attorneys cannot. She focuses on forging a holistic, client-centered relationship that empowers survivors to both have a voice and be heard. Her wealth of experience and passion for justice gives her the drive necessary to accomplish her client’s litigation goals, allowing her to fight ceaselessly on their behalf.

Since beginning her law career, Mackenzie has exclusively focused on the representation of survivors of sexual abuse, harassment, and molestation against school districts, public entities and private entities. Prior to Oakwood Legal Group, she gained significant experience as an Associate Attorney with a firm specializing in high-stakes childhood sexual abuse cases—such as the sexual abuse cases against USC and UCLA. Mackenzie has secured several six-figure and multi-million-dollar settlements on behalf of her clients.

Mackenzie is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Division, the Orange County Women Lawyers Association, and the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. She is passionate about giving back, often volunteering at her local animal shelter–OC Animal Care–and giving back by attending women’s marches, advocating for uterus-bearing reproductive rights, and donating to charitable organizations. Additionally, as a law student, Mackenzie took part in the Bette and Wylie Aitken Family Protection Clinic, providing pro bono legal services to low-income, homeless, and undocumented survivors of intimate partner violence.

Mackenzie received her B.A. in International Relations, a B.A. in French, and a minor in Ethics, Justice, and Policy from California State University, Chico. There, she frequented the Dean’s list each semester and was a member of the International Foreign Language Honor Society, Phi Sigma Iota. Mackenzie graduated cum laude with her J.D. from Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law with an emphasis in International Law. During law school, Mackenzie served as President of the Chapman Women’s Lawyers Association, President of the International Law Society, and as the Public Relations Director for the Student Bar Association. She also spent a summer abroad in Tel Aviv, Israel as an intern for the Rackman Center for the Advancement of the Status of Women.

Kyle Gaines

Of Counsel

Magnus Forsythe

Of Counsel

Cindy K. Suh

Of Counsel

Cindy K. Suh is Of Counsel at Oakwood Legal Group, LLP and a tireless advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. She litigates matters through the firm’s sexual abuse department in matters pertaining to public entities. Cindy’s goal in every case is to empower her clients through dedicated and compassionate representation. She understands the rooted trauma suffered by sexual abuse survivors and the residual pain that arises from recounting these horrific events. Through steadfast counsel, Cindy strives to successfully guide her clients over the overwhelming procedural hurdles by clarifying all steps of the legal process along the way. She focuses on the ‘big picture’ when setting attainable litigation goals, instilling confidence in her clients that justice will be served.

As a successful advocate, Cindy has been recognized on multiple occasions for her exceptional efforts. In law school, she was the recipient of several notable awards: the Southwestern Law Public Service Award; multiple CALI and Witkin awards for achieving academic excellence; and a publication award for Southwestern’s Journal of International Law; and the top 10% Dean’s List distinction. Additionally, Cindy was a scholarship recipient of the Women’s Lawyers Association of Los Angeles in 2018.

Cindy has always been passionate about contributing her legal skills to the public. She has held several public service clerkships: an internship for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in the Victims Impact Program focusing on domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual abuse crimes; a judicial externship in family law to the Honorable Marc Gross, Los Angeles Superior Court; and a clerkship at Children’s Law Center, assisting minors that were often victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or other trauma. Cindy was also an advocate for Southwestern Law School’s Children’s Rights Clinic, representing low-income families in negotiations with LAUSD, drafting motions against school districts and supporting students with special education and behavioral challenges. She was also a former volunteer for Southwestern Law School’s Tax Law Society helping low-income individuals file tax returns, and the school’s Teen Court supporting high school students conduct mock trials and introducing them to law careers. Cindy also volunteered at the Harriet Buhai Center, a non-profit family law firm protecting survivors of domestic violence.

Prior to the firm, Cindy was an Associate Attorney at a family law firm, working on cases related to domestic violence, complex child custody, and high-profile divorces. Cindy received her B.A. in Communications from Boston College and her J.D. from Southwestern Law School. She officially joined the Oakwood Legal Group team in July 2022, matching the firm’s dedication to seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse and severe trauma. Cindy is admitted to practice in California state courts.

Alina Sookasian

Of Counsel

Neda Saghafi

Of Counsel

Neda Saghafi is Of Counsel at Oakwood Legal Group, LLP and a fierce advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. As a bilingual attorney fluent in both English and Farsi, Neda successfully represents a range of clients through the firm’s Sexual Abuse Department.

Neda empowers survivors to tell their stories using a client-centered philosophy that places the individual at the heart of every matter. Effective and empathetic communication is the pillar of Neda’s practice. She always remains responsive to her clients and helps them seamlessly navigate the complex legal system.

Neda served as a Policy Intern at UN Women in the Ending Violence Against Women Section, where she provided feedback for regional and country work plans, concept notes, and e-learning modules; participated in policy, general assembly, and section meetings; and facilitated a conversation regarding #metoo with movement founder Tarana Burke. She has worked alongside agencies advocating for survivors of trafficking and intimate partner violence and is also a Teach for America Alumna and former advisory committee member for LifeBridge Health’s Center for Hope.

Neda has engaged in pro bono legal work with various organizations, including Catholic Charities and the Children’s Law Center of Washington, D.C. She was also pro-bono co-counsel with the ACLU of Louisiana in a federal civil rights action.

Neda served as a former law clerk to one of seven judges on Maryland’s highest court and was a legal extern for the SAFE Center for Human Trafficking. She was published in the Northeast University Law Review (The American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man: Using a Human Rights Framework to Deconstruct Systemic Police Misconduct Against Low-Income Women of Color, 10 NE.U.L.Rev. 502 (2018)). Prior to joining the firm and dedicating her practice to advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, Neda worked in product liability matters related to pharmaceutical and biologics products, including mass torts.

Neda graduated with her B.S. in Business Administration, B.A. in Psychology, and a minor in Global Poverty and Practice from the University of California, Berkeley. She received her Master’s in Education from Johns Hopkins University before graduating with her J.D. from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. She joined Oakwood Legal Group in October 2022 and is barred in California, Washington DC, New York, and Maryland.

Sandra Farzam

Of Counsel

Alexandra K. Sagona

Of Counsel

Alexandra K. Sagona is Of Counsel at Oakwood Legal Group and a vigorous advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. Dedicating her career to defending oppressed and marginalized groups, she frequently represents matters pertaining to clergy sexual abuse and is passionate about ongoing church reform efforts.

Alexandra’s approach to her practice is centered on empowering clients to tell their stories. She understands the global implications impacting survivors of sexual trauma and ensures every client feels genuinely supported on their road to justice. Her patience and understanding build a trustworthy relationship that leads to attainable legal goals from the start. Possessing a background in civil litigation and criminal proceedings, Alexandra is a priceless advocate for her clients with extensive knowledge of the law to yield desired results.

Alexandra’s extraordinary efforts have led to several prestigious opportunities and recognitions. During law school, she was on Loyola Law’s Scott Moot Court Honors Board–an opportunity permitted only to the best appellate advocates in the school–and participated on two nationally competitive moot court teams: Criminal Procedure Moot Court and Entertainment Law Moot Court. In high school, Alexandra was recognized by the Las Vegas Community for “Making Las Vegas a Better Place to Live” after creating a felony-gang mentorship program for at-risk youth charged with felonies and misdemeanors.

Prior to the firm, Alexandra worked in the federal public defender’s capital habeas unit on California death row cases. During law school, Alexandra worked at Loyola’s Project for the Innocent, an organization dedicated to those wrongfully convicted of crimes. In addition to sexual clergy abuse, Alexandra has valuable experience in matters pertaining to criminal law, entertainment law, personal injury, premise liability, product liability, and wrongful death.

Outside of the firm, Alexandra is a proud member of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and the L.A. County Bar Association and gives back to her community on several mediums. She volunteers Saturdays at St. Francis Center to provide support for low-income residents and serves as a student mentor through Pepperdine University, helping first-generation students, like herself, transition into college life. Additionally, Alexandra has coached Pepperdine University’s undergraduate mock trial team since 2017, and volunteers as an attorney for Team Prime Time—a middle school mock trial program dedicated to helping at-risk youth.

Alexandra received her B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in Creative Writing from Pepperdine University, where she was part of Sigma Tau Delta’s English Honor Society. She received her J.D. and a concentration in criminal justice from Loyola Law School and is admitted to practice in California state and federal courts. Alexandra officially joined the team in August 2022, sharing the firm’s passion for representing individuals severely affected by trauma and the opportunity to be a leader in church reform.

Andrew Chung

Of Counsel

Andrew Chung is Of Counsel at at Oakwood Legal Group, LLP and a committed advocate for clients affected by trauma. Bringing 15 years of valuable law experience to the firm, he frequently represents clients in cases pertaining to labor and employment law, personal injury, mass tort, and catastrophic injury.

Andrew utilizes a client-centered approach with every case to build a working relationship based on trust and honesty. Most people who come to see Andrew are experiencing one of the lowest points of their lives, especially in cases of catastrophic injuries. Using his empathy and compassion, Andrew empowers his clients to set attainable goals that satisfy their need for justice and closure. His genuine commitment to his clients instills confidence in his abilities throughout the legal process, yielding favorable results that always keep his clients’ best interests at heart.

Prior to the firm, Andrew represented plaintiffs in labor and employment litigation for five years before joining the defense bar for nearly a decade, becoming partner. As a defense attorney, Andrew oversaw a book of complex litigation matters involving personal and catastrophic injury, labor and employment, and wrongful death. Andrew has achieved numerous successes at trial and through his legal writing and oral advocacy. His successes include a defense verdict in a jury trial for a Fortune 50 client in February 2016 and a successful appeal and reversal in a dispute involving two youth sports organizations. In 2019, Andrew was the lead attorney for a published appellate decision in Kanovsky v. At Your Door Self Storage (2019) 42 Cal.App.5th 594, impacting the industry standard used for summary judgment.

Outside of his general practice, Andrew has been an active member of the Korean American Bar Association and alumni groups for the University of California Berkeley since 2006. Raised by Korean immigrants, Andrew is dedicated to serving marginalized and underrepresented communities without proper access to the legal system. Andrew has volunteered for pro bono legal clinics for KABA, given his time to the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, and regularly volunteers for the LA Food Bank and his son’s school.

Andrew received his B.A. in Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, where he received a Public Interest Scholarship. He is admitted to practice in California state and federal Courts. Andrew officially joined the Oakwood Legal Group team in August 2022 after working in defense law for many years and seeking a passionate firm to help advocate for clients who have been significantly harmed and abused.

Babak Shirdel

Of Counsel

Lauren Welling

Of Counsel

Paulina Jaafar

Of Counsel

Sarah Meier

Of Counsel

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DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this website is intended as general educational material only and does not constitute legal advice. Any information contained on this website should not be relied upon without consulting with an attorney licensed to practice in the jurisdiction in which your matter arises. Laws and legal requirements are subject to revision and interpretation. We make no representation, warranty or claim that the information contained on this website is current. We are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the resources or information available at or from this website. Any results portrayed in this advertisement are dependent upon the facts and law applicable to each particular case, and results will differ based on the particular facts and law applicable in each case. Nothing contained on this website constitutes a guarantee, warranty or prediction regarding the outcome of a specific legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is formed by the use of this site, by requesting further information, or by submitting information via any form on this website. Legal services are not available in all jurisdictions. Michael D. Terani, Esq. & Raymond J. Zolekhian, Esq. of the law firm Oakwood Legal Group are licensed to practice law in the State of California and are responsible for this communication.

**Spanish speakers are non-attorney staff assistants employed by Oakwood Legal Group. The non-attorney staff assistants are not members of the State Bar of California and are not licensed to practice law. Español proviene de asistentes no abogado personal contratados por la Oakwood Legal Group. Los asistentes no abogado personal no son miembros de la barra de estado de California y no tienen licencia para ejercer la abogacía.