The attorneys at the Gharibian law firm are dedicated to assisting individuals with their legal needs. We serve the city of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. If you reside in or around the Los Angeles area and have medical malpractice, elder abuse, or personal injury or wrongful death case, we just may be the ideal law firm for you. We are a practice of competent lawyers and various legal staff members who have the expertise and knowledge to provide clients with top-notch legal support and representation. You are sure to be pleased with the high level of commitment we always provide to our clients to create an environment of comfort and confidence in our abilities to build successful cases. We are ready and willing to represent individuals with various legal issues. Art Gharibian Esq. was recently selected as a 2016 “Rising Star by Super Lawyers” magazine. When it comes to our representation, you should know that we are prepared to be fully dedicated to your case. We always have our clients’ best interests in mind. You should not be concerned about the outcome of your case, because we treat every single legal matter brought to us with the same level of professionalism and are serious about bringing all guilty parties to justice. At the start, you should call us to ask any questions you may have about how we operate and what we can do for you. We need to know some basic details about your situation so we know whether or not we can help you. Even if we find that you have a case with good legal standing, you may not decide to employ our services. We understand that we may not be the right fit for everyone. However, we would like you to know that we will cover every step of the legal process so that you do not have to worry about handling anything. Our attorneys and team will ensure that you have an experience that is as stress-free as possible. It is important to us that anyone with a solid case is compensated for pain and suffering, as well as lost wages, medical bills, and other costs that are directly related to the matter at hand. Please feel free to reach out to us today if you have a case in the following areas. You stand a high chance of being successful when you receive legal assistance from Gharibian Law.

Alice A. Salvo has over 20 years of experience in Probate, Estate Planning, Special Needs Trusts and Elder Law for Medi-Cal planning and long term care. She attended Southwestern University School of Law earning a law degree (J.D.) and furthered her education by receiving a graduate law degree (L.L.M. in Estate Planning) from University of Miami School of Law. Alice A. Salvo is qualified by the California State Bar as a "Certified Specialist" in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Only a select few California attorneys achieved this prestigious designation. Some important reasons people choose to work with our office is to avoid family disputes and keep peace after they’re gone. Without a clear will or trust, loved ones may end up in conflict, and the courts may decide what happens to your home and assets. Our firm helps you stay in control — we ensure your wishes are carried out and your family is protected. Having the right plan, you can eliminate uncertainty, reduce stress for those you love, and achieve peace of mind. She has earned many distinctions for her work including these accomplishments: President of Southern California Council of Elder Law Attorneys, President of San Fernando Valley Estate Planning Council, President of San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Chairperson of the Probate Section of the San Fernando Bar Association, served on the Gray Squad Advisory Board to the Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys Division. Installed in 2025 as President of NIABA, National Italian American Bar Association. She married a wonderful family oriented Jewish husband and raised two children, who are now adults, now that's an accomplishment! Attorney Salvo has been appointed by the California State Bar to the prestigious position of serving on the Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission (JNE) where she became the top individual - Chair (President) of the JNE Commission. This commission evaluates all candidates under consideration for a judicial appointment by the Governor. The attorneys that apply to be a judge in the state of California are thoroughly reviewed by the JNE Commission and a select few of the most highly qualified candidates are recommended for the judiciary.

Benjamin T. Ikuta is a trial attorney who has been licensed in California since 2008. For his entire career, Ben has focused on cases of wrongdoing against healthcare providers. Ben is a preeminent attorney in prosecuting medical malpractice actions who has tried multiple cases to verdict. He has presented and been published many times on medical malpractice issues.

Vanessa Raven is an experienced trial attorney who works out of the Northern California office. She is licensed in both California and Nevada. Vanessa’s practice focuses on representing injured victims in medical malpractice, personal injury, and elder abuse actions. Vanessa was formerly a partner at a prominent Sacramento medical malpractice defense firm. She spent nearly a decade representing physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice, elder abuse, and medical board licensing actions, giving her insight into how insurance companies think and how health care providers defend cases. She was named a rising star by Super Lawyers in medical malpractice in 2021 and 2022. Vanessa is a board member and current executive committee member of Women Lawyers of Sacramento (WLS). She is also a member of California Women Lawyers (CWL), the Sacramento County Bar Association (SCBA), Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), and Capital City Trial Lawyers (CCTLA). She was raised in Sacramento, California and attended California State University, Sacramento, where she received a B.A. in English literature. She then attended the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where she competed coast to coast on the nationally recognized mock trial team. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing, yoga, baking, and spending time with her family.

Since November of 2008, Heather Baker Dobbs has been a licensed and practicing attorney. For 16 years before joining Ikuta Hemesath LLP, she worked at a prestigious Los Angeles Plaintiffs’ firm handling every aspect of personal injury and employment matters from inception through trial. She now focuses on cases involving medical malpractice, elder abuse and personal injury. Through her years of litigation and hard fought wins in both trial and mediation, she has found that her true passion is in representing clients who have been wrongfully injured and obtaining large favorable results on their behalf. Heather enjoys forging a trusting working relationship with her clients and helping them through their time of injury or loss of a family member. Heather is well-versed in the ins and outs of every part of handling a case from inception to resolution. On a weekly basis she deals with the day to day of preparing complaints, discovery, depositions, hiring and conferring with experts, client contact, medical record analysis, drafting motions and briefs, attending hearings, mediation and trial. Heather is committed to the zealous representation of her clients in each of her cases, along with offering a personal side of transparent communication and compassion to clients along their litigation journey. When outside of the office, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, two young kids, and dog, being active outdoors including hiking and going to the beach, and eating her favorite food: chips and salsa. Heather graduated magna cum laude from USC in 2005, with a double major in political science and psychology and a minor in business. Heather received her Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University in May of 2008. During the fall of 2006, Heather clerked for the Honorable Kathleen Thompson, judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court of the Central District of California. Also, while at Pepperdine University, Heather obtained her Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution in 2008 from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. Heather has been selected as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star (reserved for top 2.5% of attorneys under the age of 40) from 2012-2022.

Michelle Buxton Hemesath’s practice is focused on representing injured victims and their families. She formed Ikuta Hemesath, LLP in April of 2022 with law partner, Ben Ikuta. She began her career representing healthcare providers and learned from some of the best defense attorneys on the West Coast. During this time, Michelle. gained invaluable experience and intimate knowledge of how insurance companies handle lawsuits, how to best position a case for trial, and how to wade through complex medical issues. Michelle treats every case as if its going to trial. Michelle stoutly believes that the only way to obtain maximum recovery in a settlement is for the defense firm and insurance carrier to know that she is willing and able to try cases. Michelle was raised in Torrance, California. She attended college at San Diego State University. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in political science, Michelle attended the University of San Diego School of Law. While at there, she participated in the university’s special education clinic advocating on behalf of students and parents to ensure students received the maximum benefits allowable under the law. Michelle graduated in the top twenty percent of her class and received awards in Complex Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. In addition, Michelle received the Maria Shih Award for Diversity Awareness and Service. Michelle is licensed to practice in the State of California, United States District Court for the Central District of California and United States District Court for the Southern District of California. She is immediate past the President of the Women Lawyers of Long Beach (WLLB) and current Treasurer, as well as a member of the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA), Orange County Asian American Bar Association (OCAABA), and Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA). Since 2019, Mrs. Hemesath has served as an attorney coach for the mock trial team at Valley High School. In 2021 and 2022, Michelle was selected as a Rising Star in plaintiff-side medical malpractice, awarded to the top 2.5% of attorneys under the age of 40, by Super Lawyer Magazine.

Spencer Peck is the founder and principal attorney at Peck Law Corporation. He has settled millions for his clients in personal injury and elder abuse matters. As an attorney, Mr. Peck has been known to fiercely litigate against insurance companies holding parties responsible until justice is served for his clients. Although Spencer’s practice focuses on personal injury and elder abuse matters, Mr. Peck has extensive experience with criminal law, medical malpractice, and wrongful death matters.