At The Barnes Firm, we proudly celebrate International Women’s Day by honoring the strength, resilience, and achievements of women in our communities and around the world. This day is an opportunity to recognize the progress that has been made toward equality while reaffirming our commitment to empowering women in every aspect of life. From the courtroom to the community, women play a vital role in leadership, advocacy, and positive change. We are grateful for the inspiring women on our team and the clients we serve who demonstrate courage and determination every day. Together, we continue to support a future built on equality, opportunity, and respect for all.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law? My love for learning drew me to the law, where every case is a new lesson in justice. I’m inspired by the opportunity to interpret complex circumstances and translate them into meaningful outcomes for people.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments or proudest achievements in your legal career so far?The most rewarding moments come from helping clients who would otherwise be unheard find a path to justice. Transforming a difficult situation into an outcome that restores dignity and hope is why I do this work.
What aspects of your work motivate you the most? I’m motivated by meaningful human connections with clients and the chance to serve our community. When we listen, understand, and advocate, we help people regain their footing and move forward with their life.
Was there a woman (or women) who inspired or mentored you along the way? I am deeply inspired by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, whose perseverance and grace in the face of doubt showed me that steadfast resolve can move mountains. Her example reminds me to persevere for my clients and for justice.
What does being an advocate for others mean to you? Being an advocate means lending a voice to the voiceless and standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. It’s a privilege to champion dignity, fairness, and hope every day.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in law? Seek mentors, stay curious, and remember that your voice matters. Build resilience, trust yourself, trust your training, and let your compassion guide your advocacy.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? In my free time, I volunteer in the community, enjoy exploring art fairs and museums, and cherishing time with loved ones especially my husband Alang’o and our dog Kobe. I also enjoy traveling.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law? My father is a personal injury attorney, so I saw from a young age how much he helped get justice for his clients. I wanted to help people reclaim their lives after being seriously injured.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments or proudest achievements in your legal career so far? I take on cases that most would turn away. A client came to me a year after being turned away from firm after firm. She was sexually assaulted at work and I fought tooth and nail and was able to hold the defendant’s employer responsible for their employee’s assault.
What aspects of your work motivate you the most?When someone’s life is turned upside down from an accident I am motivated to do whatever I can to help them through the tough times and the legal process.
Was there a woman (or women) who inspired or mentored you along the way?Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a big inspiration for me.
What does being an advocate for others mean to you? It means taking the time to work each case up zealously to get the best result for each client.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in law? You are going to have a lot of hurdles in front of you, keep jumping over them and you will keep moving forward in your career.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of work?Spending time with my family.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?What inspired my career in law was and is my innate sense to see injustice corrected. I discovered this sense to pursue justice at a very young age and it ultimately led me to my career as an advocate. I’m happiest when I am helping my clients who are facing unjust circumstances attain the best possible results.
What aspects of your work motivate you the most? Every case is a new challenge. I am inspired to learn, practice, and master my skills as a litigator while being trusted by my clients to resolve their cases. What a blessing.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments or proudest achievements in your legal career so far?Having a team that is inspired to work hard on every case because I am driven to do so. But specifically, it is when I am able to secure a very good result for my clients and seeing them happy after enduring some of the most challenging times of their lives.
Was there a woman (or women) who inspired or mentored you along the way? I’ve had many women who have inspired and mentored me. But one treated me like a daughter and truly taught me the practice of personal injury law, Nicole Newmen. I started working for her as a clerk at age 20. She has a very successful solo practice, impeccable work ethic and truly cares for each and every one of her clients. Without her mentorship I would not have the skills I have today. Thank you, Nicole!
What does being an advocate for others mean to you?Being an advocate for others means that I have earned my client’s ultimate trust. I do not take this lightly. It an honor and privilege to be the force behind the positive outcomes for my clients.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in law? Think hard about whether you have the patience and drive to endure a career where that is adversarial. As in sports, you are going head to head with the other side every day.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of work? I’m a huge nerd and like to read books (mostly sci-fi) and play chess with my husband.
I find meaning in volunteer work and have served on several lawyers’ association boards. I am a past president of the Iranian American Bar Association, Orange County Chapter, and the Iranian American Lawyers Association. The past couple of years I’ve been on the Foundation Board of the Women Lawyers Association of LA. I also recently started took up painting, and that is a great outlet for me.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law? Growing up as the child of immigrant parents, I saw firsthand how complex systems can feel overwhelming and intimidating. I watched my parents work incredibly hard while navigating language barriers and unfamiliar legal and bureaucratic processes. That experience shaped me. It gave me a deep appreciation for resilience, but it also showed me how important it is to have someone who understands the system and is willing to stand up for you.
I’ve always felt a strong pull toward advocacy, and pursuing a career in law felt like a natural extension of that. I wanted to be the person who helps others feel less alone in difficult situations — someone who can translate complexity into clarity and make sure their voices are heard.
What does being an advocate for others mean to you?Being an advocate means truly standing in someone’s corner — not just legally, but personally. It means listening carefully, understanding their story, and making sure they feel seen, heard, and respected throughout the process.
As someone who is bilingual in Turkish and English, advocacy also means being able to serve my own community in a meaningful way. I understand how isolating it can feel to navigate complex legal systems in a language that isn’t your first. Being able to communicate clearly and connect culturally allows me to bridge that gap and provide comfort as well as representation.
To me, advocacy is about empowering people — giving them clarity, confidence, and the assurance that they do not have to face difficult moments alone.
I’ve been fortunate to have strong women who have inspired and supported me throughout my journey. Their mentorship and example have played a meaningful role in shaping my career. I’d also like to recognize my closest friends from college — Karen, Lauren, Jess, and Megan. We’re all attorneys practicing in different fields, and while our paths and personalities are distinct, each of them is exceptionally talented, driven, and accomplished. I’m proud to grow alongside such remarkable women.
What aspects of your work motivate you the most? The human side of this work motivates me the most. Behind every case is a real person whose life has been disrupted. Being trusted with that responsibility pushes me to be thorough, strategic, and compassionate. I’m also motivated by the challenge — each case requires critical thinking, creativity, and persistence.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments or proudest achievements in your legal career so far? It’s difficult to point to just one specific moment, because what makes this work meaningful to me is the consistent opportunity to make a difference in my clients’ lives. Every case represents someone going through a challenging and often overwhelming time. Being able to step in, guide them through the process, and advocate for them in ways they may not be able to do on their own is incredibly rewarding.
For me, the true achievement isn’t a single outcome — it’s knowing that I’ve helped restore a sense of stability, confidence, or justice for the people who trust me with their cases.
Was there a woman (or women) who inspired or mentored you along the way? I’ve been inspired by many women throughout my life, and I hope to one day serve as that source of inspiration for others.
My mother is one of my greatest role models. She came to this country without knowing the language, yet through determination and resilience, she built a life here — becoming the PTA president of my elementary school and establishing a successful career in corporate America. Watching her navigate unfamiliar systems with courage and persistence taught me what strength and leadership truly look like.
My daughter also inspires me every day. The way she looks at me and says she wants to help people the way I do is both humbling and motivating. It reminds me that our actions set examples long before we realize it.
And of course, Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been a profound inspiration. Her unwavering commitment to equality, her intellect, and her quiet but formidable strength reshaped the legal landscape for women. She demonstrated that lasting change is built through persistence, preparation, and courage — qualities I strive to embody in my own career.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in law? Believe that you belong in the room. This profession needs thoughtful, driven, and fierce women. Seek mentors, ask questions, and don’t be intimidated by challenges — they are part of the growth process. Develop confidence in your voice and your perspective; both are valuable. And remember, resilience is just as important as intelligence.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of work? Outside of work, I value time that helps me recharge — whether that’s spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, or staying active. Maintaining balance is important to me because it allows me to show up fully focused and energized for my clients.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law? When I was in college, my grandmother was killed in a head-on collision while on her way to church.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments or proudest achievements so far?The most rewarding or proudest achievements at the Barnes Firm so far was assisting my partner, Richard Amico, in recovering a $5.7m judgment for a family who lost their father in a terrible workplace accident.
What does being an advocate for others mean to you?Being an advocate means truly listening and standing up for people when they can’t stand up for themselves. It means holding powerful entities (i.e., insurance companies) accountable and ensuring my clients’ voices are heard and respected.
What aspects of your work motivate you the most?I’m most motivated by helping clients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. When someone is injured due to negligence, they often feel overwhelmed and unheard. Being able to guide them, advocate for them, and help them secure the compensation they deserve is incredibly rewarding
Was there a woman (or women) who inspired or mentored you along the way? I am inspired by my mother every day. She taught me independence from an early age — to stand on my own two feet, trust my judgment, and never be afraid to voice my opinions. She showed me that having a strong voice isn’t about being the loudest in the room, but about having the courage to speak up when it matters.
In 2011, she was almost killed in a motorcycle accident and spent more than six months in a wheelchair before she was able to begin walking again. Watching her fight through that recovery with determination and resilience profoundly shaped me — both personally and professionally. Her strength during that time showed me what perseverance truly looks like, and it deepened my understanding of what injured individuals and their families endure.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in law?DO IT! And believe that you belong in this profession. Seek out mentors, work hard, and trust your voice. The legal field needs strong, compassionate women who are willing to lead and make a difference.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of work? Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, people (and pups!) who keep me grounded. I also prioritize working out and any outside activities —it helps me stay focused, energized, and balanced. I enjoy traveling and experiencing new places, whether it’s a quick getaway or a trip somewhere completely new.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?I grew up in Connecticut working in my father’s personal injury practice and spent weekends cleaning the office and later assisting him, which taught me early on how law can help people. That experience, combined with my natural empathy, drew me to a career advocating for others.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments or proudest achievements in your legal career so far? After a 12-year break from practicing law in Connecticut, I passed the California bar on my first try in 2021 and rebuilt my career, an achievement I’m especially proud of given the obstacles I faced. It proved to me and my children that perseverance pays off.
What aspects of your work motivate you the most? I’m motivated by helping clients who are survivors of accidents and often mistreated by insurers, getting them meaningful compensation and restoring some dignity is deeply rewarding. I can’t always make them whole, but I can fight to secure the next best thing.
Was there a woman (or women) who inspired or mentored you along the way? I’m inspired by trailblazers like Justices Ginsburg and Sotomayor and by everyday women, colleagues and my daughters—who refuse to accept diminished expectations. Their resilience and clarity of purpose have guided me.
What does being an advocate for others mean to you? Advocacy means using my skills to stand beside people when systems fail them, amplify their stories, and push for outcomes that recognize their humanity. It’s about fighting for respect and fair treatment.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in law? Be ready to fight! Fight for your clients, for the rule of law, and for your seat at the table. The work is demanding and the landscape is challenging, but persistence, mentorship, and a clear sense of purpose make it worth it.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of work? I’m a marathon runner (I recently broke 3:20 at CIM), love going to comedy shows and warriors games, walking dogs, or singing Karaoke with my husband, I follow my daughters’ sports, visit family, listen to podcasts, and participate in political events. I also enjoy relaxing by the pool.
Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”
Years of Experience: 30+ years LinkedIn Profile: Richard Barnes
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney president Rich Barnes who has more than 30+ years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury trial attorney.
Areas We Serve
The Barnes Firm is here to help you. Our personal injury firm helps individuals and their families who
have suffered an injury in an accident.
A truck accident can be catastrophic, even in low-impact crashes, if you or your family are involved, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.
