Los Angeles Business Journal Names James Azadian a “Top 100 Lawyer”

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that James Azadian was selected to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Top 100 Lawyers” list for 2024. Azadian was honored at an awards event on Thursday, April 18, recognizing his exceptional legal skill and the industry-influencing victories won by him and his team in areas as diverse as First Amendment law, class actions, intellectual property, product liability, and commercial law. Azadian will also be profiled in a special feature of the publication.

Widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading appellate advocates, Azadian serves as co-Leader of Dykema’s Appellate and Critical Motions Practice. He has presented oral argument in nearly 100 cases and handled more than 275 appeals and writ proceedings covering many industries and subjects throughout the country.

Azadian often serves as special counsel to other law firms in preparing advocates for oral argument and in helping prepare appellate briefs as well as critical motions at the trial court level when an appeal by either side seems inevitable or where the outcome will impact an entire series of litigation for the client. He also frequently serves as embedded appellate counsel during trial, working to support Dykema’s trial team and to ensure the case is best positioned for any forthcoming appeal.

Azadian has created and leads a foundation that connects at-risk youth with members of the federal judiciary, providing them an opportunity to gain a positive impression of the courts. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor, teaching courses in Appellate Advocacy at Pepperdine University School of Law, where he also serves on the Board of Visitors. Azadian serves on Law360’s Appellate Editorial Advisory Board and as the Editor-in-Chief of the ABA’s Appellate Practice Section. He is a member of the ABA’s Amicus Committee, a member of the Ninth Circuit Advisory Board, past-chair of the Ninth Circuit Appellate Lawyer Representatives, and past-member of the Ninth Circuit’s Advisory Committee on Rules of Practice and Internal Operating Procedures.

Azadian has received many other accolades. He has been named to The American Lawyer’s inaugural list of “West Trailblazers,” LABJ’s “Thriving In Their 40’s” list, LABJ’s “Leaders Of Influence,” and The Los Angeles Daily Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40 Attorneys in California.” In recognition for achieving consistently successful outcomes on appeal, Azadian was awarded the Chief Justice John Marshall Medal by the Supreme Court Historical Society for his excellence in appellate advocacy, commitment to pro bono representation, and the advancement of civic learning among youth. He is also nationally recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America®. He has an active pro bono practice, handling multiple pro bono appeals, including one to the Supreme Court involving the intersection between disability rights and sovereign immunity.

Azadian earned his J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law and his B.A. from UCLA. He clerked for Ninth Circuit Judge Consuelo Maria Callahan and U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia, Ricardo Manuel Urbina.