Mr. Novak is the founding partner of our firm. He was born on the great Canadian prairies in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. After a distinguished educational career at the University of Manitoba, he attended the University of North Dakota School of Law. He was named on the academic dean’s list for his entire six semesters of law school and was awarded the degree of Juris Doctor With Distinction. Following graduation from law school, he hung up his hockey skates and moved to the gentler climate of California. Since 1998 Mr. Novak has based his practice of law in the Southern California area. However, he has actively litigated cases throughout the State of California, and the United States. Mr. Novak has established himself as a well-respected trial attorney in the region. In particular, he is renowned for his keen legal mind and aggressive litigation approach. His commitment to fighting for clients’ rights has led to the recovery of in excess of $130,000,000.00 in verdicts or settlements for clients within the past twenty-two years of his practice. Before concentrating his practice on protecting the rights of individuals, Mr. Novak worked for several years as a defense attorney handling primarily large-loss cases on behalf of numerous entertainment production companies, large corporations, and insurance companies. During this time period, he successfully protected clients from exposure to multi-million dollar claims for damages.

Josh Yaghoubzadeh is the founder and managing attorney of Fairmont Law Firm, a premier personal injury law practice based in Los Angeles. A double Bruin, Josh earned both his undergraduate degree and his Juris Doctorate from UCLA, where he distinguished himself academically and professionally. Before becoming an attorney, Josh worked in the United States Congress and the Los Angeles City Council, experiences that shaped his understanding of public policy, advocacy, and the importance of fighting for the underdog. During law school, Josh was selected for a unique opportunity to personally negotiate with Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak as part of an exclusive Sports Law course. He also worked for Los Angeles World Airports, the agency that oversees LAX, where he handled a wide range of matters — from concession lease negotiations to Airport Police misconduct cases. He additionally served as an Administrative Hearing Officer, presiding over cases involving violations of airport regulations. Since being admitted to the California Bar in 2012, Josh has devoted his career to representing injured individuals across the state. Under his leadership, Fairmont Law Firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients and built a reputation for aggressive representation, strategic advocacy, and compassionate client service.

Ms. Ballon has practiced civil litigation since 2003. She has a wide range of experience, primarily in representing clients in catastrophic personal injury and workers’ compensation matters. She has worked for both the defense bar, briefly working for one of the major insurance companies, and now for many years for plaintiff’s bar. She is a Partner with our firm.

Mr. Sapir attended California State University, Northridge and graduated with a BA in Political Science, and graduated from Southwestern Law School with Juris Doctorate degree. He is a member of the California Bar, the United States District Court Bar, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal bar and the United States Supreme Court bar. Mr. Sapir’s practice is primarily civil litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury cases. Mr. Sapir has handled personal injury cases on behalf of clients since he was admitted to the California Bar in 2012 and has extensive experience handling such cases from A-Z. Through Mr. Sapir’s experience, he saw that clients deserved more time, attention, and an attorney who truly cared about their case. He is dedicated to obtaining the best possible resolution for injury victims and their families.

Arianne is a graduate of both the University of Washington as well as Southwestern Law School. Before attending law school, Arianne also worked for a few years as a paralegal to gain experience in the field. Since graduating from law school, Arianne has spent the past eight years working in personal injury law as a perceptive and tenacious attorney who is dedicated to obtaining the best possible resolution for injured victims and their families. Indeed, Arianne’s dedication to her clients goes beyond professional obligations. She treats each client with the same care and attention she would give to a close friend or family member, ensuring that people from all walks of life are fairly compensated for their injuries, whether that be through litigation or settling. Originally born in the Philippines, Arianne is also able to work with clients in Tagalog if they prefer. In her free time, Arianne enjoys traveling, sports and live events, discovering new restaurants, as well as hiking and yoga.

Bryan was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He was the Valedictorian of his graduating class at the University Of West Los Angeles School Of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate Degree. Prior to law school, Bryan was a successful entrepreneur, owning several businesses in the service industry

Kyle Valero is a powerhouse in personal injury law, renowned for his aggressive courtroom presence, tactical case strategies, and unmatched results. Since passing the bar in 2019, Kyle has secured over $500 million in settlements for injury victims throughout California, including landmark victories in auto accidents, commercial vehicle collisions, motorcycle and scooter crashes, and other catastrophic injury cases. A top graduate from Whittier Law School in 2018, Kyle combines sharp legal acumen with relentless client advocacy, making him one of California’s most sought-after trial lawyers. Known for shifting the balance of power away from billion-dollar insurance companies to the injured, Kyle’s results speak for themselves—and so do the lives he’s changed.

As an attorney with 20 years of litigation experience, I’ve handled all facets of state and federal large-scale business litigation matters including written discovery, depositions, law and motion practice, pre-trial, and trial work with a focus on general business disputes, torts, and real property disputes. I’ve also represented lenders, investors, and financial institutions in real estate and finance transactions, with a focus on real estate loan documentation, maximizing collection on defaulted loans, commercial acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing. In addition, I provide legal, business, and public policy advice and solutions in the areas of complex litigation, real estate, consumer fraud, and business tort claims to assist in efficiently and effectively achieving our clients’ objectives. Prior to joining Weintraub Zolkin Talerico & Liu LLP, I was an attorney with McKenna, Long & Aldridge (now Dentons) and Ropers, Majeski, Kohn & Bentley where I managed complex business litigation matters, including product liability, premises liability, intellectual property, construction defect and class action litigation. I previously served as a judicial extern for the Honorable John F. Walter, Judicial Extern (United States District Court, Central District), the Honorable Robert M. Takasugi (United States District Court, Central District), and the Honorable Owen Lee Kwong (Los Angeles Superior Court, Stanley Mosk).

My practice centers on bankruptcy, restructuring, and commercial litigation. I am versed in all aspects of financial restructuring, having represented debtors, creditors, and other interest holders in and out of court for more than two decades. My litigation practice focuses on general commercial disputes. Prior to founding Weintraub Zolkin Talerico & Liu LLP, I was a founding partner of Zolkin Talerico LLP. I began my career practicing for over ten years at the international law firms of Milbank LLP and Loeb & Loeb LLP. I represent debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, creditor committees, asset purchasers, receivers, and trustees, in regional and national restructuring matters, both in-court and out-of-court. I have represented my clients in bankruptcy cases throughout California and the United States, from Texas to New York, Delaware, and Florida. As a litigator, I have prosecuted and defended a wide range of commercial disputes including fraud, intellectual property, lender liability, insurance, re-insurance, and real estate, among others in both state and federal court. In appellate practice, I have successfully argued before both District Courts, Bankruptcy Appellate Panels, and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

I have been a corporate restructuring attorney for over 30 years and have experience in all aspects of financial restructuring, insolvency law and processes. Immediately prior to forming Weintraub Zolkin Talerico & Liu LLP, I was a founding partner of the bankruptcy and business litigation boutique of Zolkin Talerico LLP. Prior to that, I was an attorney at the Wall Street law firm of Milbank LLP, where I represented debtors, equity owners, financial institutions, first and second lien lenders, hedge and bond funds, trade creditors, chapter 11 trustees and debt and asset purchasers in complex restructurings, workouts and foreclosures across a variety of industry sectors. I provide my clients with in-court and out-of-court legal strategies and approaches designed to lead to value maximization. My expertise spans various legal and business documents, including secured and unsecured debt documents, indentures, servicing agreements, purchase and sale agreements confidentiality documents and other commercial and business contracts. I negotiate and draft restructuring term sheets, plans of reorganization, cash collateral and debtor in possession financing agreements and orders, bidding procedures for assets sales, sale agreements and other pleadings and documents required in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. I have represented clients in bankruptcy cases and out-of-court restructurings that have taken place throughout the United States, including California, New York, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Louisiana, Nevada, Arizona, Washington and Oregon.