From wrongful termination and sexual harassment to discrimination and unfair compensation, workplaces yield a variety of legal issues.
COVID-19 has also presented new issues, such as concerns about safety and health at work as well as record-high unemployment rates. To protect one’s rights and interests, there are times when it is necessary to seek legal representation.
Issa and Michael Azat are plaintiff attorneys who specialize in employment law and have a proven track record in and out of the courtroom.
Prior to forming The Azat Law Group in Pasadena with his brother, Michael was a military police officer who had the rank of captain while in the U.S. Marine Corps. After earning his law degree from the University of Southern California, he worked as a federal prosecutor and served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
“I’ve spent most of my professional career fighting for the people who can’t fight for themselves,” Michael says. “Issa and I aren’t intimidated by the size of a firm or an attorney’s credentials. That is something that sets us apart—you have a lot of employment attorneys who have never done a trial or don’t feel comfortable stepping in front of a jury.”
Prior to joining his brother, Issa was a criminal prosecutor with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. A graduate of Loyola Law School, he works with individuals and corporations in a wide range of plaintiffs’ litigation.
“There’s a big difference between arguing your points on a phone call and sitting in a courtroom with 12 peers that you need to convince of all the facts,” Issa says. “It’s essential to be able to articulate your points and share the story of the victim you are representing in a concise manner.”
With their unique backgrounds and expertise, Issa and Michael have developed and executed winning strategies for clients who have been the victims of various employment-related issues. Throughout the legal process, The Azat Law Group works closely with clients, providing them with crucial support, helping them explore their different options, and educating them about the various resources that are available.
“We enjoy the human aspect of working on employment cases,” Michael says. “There aren’t a lot of people with our backgrounds who do what we do. We take plaintiffs’ cases we can win and focus on pushing them towards trial. We are honest and upfront with our clients as to whether they have a case or not. We get to make a difference in the lives of people who need our help the most.”
Born and raised in South Pasadena, Mike and Issa remain close to their hometown and incorporate their family values into their practice as well.
“My brother’s office is right next to mine, and I don’t think that’s something you’ll find in very many law firms—a former federal and state prosecutor who are siblings that work together,” Issa says. “This is a family business, and we have that ‘family-first’ mentality approach when it comes to our clients.”
Adds Michael, “Whether it’s a factory worker denied time off to care for his sick father or a doctor who was let go because of his or her sexual orientation, we get the same satisfaction out of helping someone who feels helpless. Being able to be a voice for these people is very satisfying. We’re hometown trial attorneys who care about the people in our community, and we will help them in whatever way we can.”
The Azat Law Group
1785 E. Locust Street, Unit 3, Pasadena
626-509-8675, azatlaw.com