Azizi, Soheila | The Law Office of Soheila Azizi & Associates, P.C.

Biography

Ms. Azizi has been practicing law for nearly 30 years, her areas of focus are Civil Litigation, Mediation, and Collaborative Professional. Azizi was born in Iran to an Iranian mother and a Russian migrant father, and she remained in the country for the first 18 years of her life. She and her family fled to Europe and eventually to the United States because of religious persecution under the Iranian government.

Soheila Azizi has served as a mediator for the San Bernardino and Riverside civil and family courts, and she has personally mediated more than 1,000 family law cases. She attended Hofstra University and University of La Verne School of Law here in California after deciding to pursue law as a second career. She is now a recognized legal expert in the Inland Empire, a panelist for Inland Valley Arbitration and Mediation Services, a member of the Iranian American Lawyers Association, and a member of several bar associations.

Education

University of La Verne College of Law, La Verne, California
- J.D. - 1993
Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
- Bachelor of Arts - 1979
- Major: Economics

Professional Associations

Iranian American Lawyers Association, Member
Consumer Attorney's Association of Los Angeles
LA County Bar Association
San Bernardino Bar Association
Inland Valley Arbitration and Mediation Services (IVAMS)
San Bernardino County Superior Court and San Bernardino Small Claims Court, Judge Pro Tem
California State Bar, 1993 to Present
Western San Bernardino County Bar Association, 1993 to Present
Riverside County Bar Association, 1993 to Present
Delta Theta Phi International Law Fraternity, 1989 to Present
Board Member of Upland Spiritual Assembly (administrative, consultative, community building & dispute resolution duties), 1993 to Present
Past President and Co-Founder of Upland Interfaith Council, 1996 to Present
Consumer Attorney’s Association of Los Angeles, 2000 to 2012
Board Member, Community Partnership for Youth Development, 2005 to 2012
Collaborative Divorce Professionals of Inland Empire (CDPIE), Active Member, 2010 to Present
Directory Member of Mediate.Com, 2005 to Present
Co-Founder & Board Member/Officer of “Women on the Move Network”, 2005 to Present
University of La Verne, College of Law’s Choice for “Great Lawyers” Campaign, 2009 to Present
University of La Verne, Law Review Alumni Association, 2009 to Present
Co-Sponsor to University of La Verne College of Law ADR Symposia, 2011 to Present
University of La Verne, College of Law, Board of Visitors, 2008 to Present
County of San Bernardino, Judicial and Settlement Officer, 1998 to Present
Riverside County Bar Association, Civil and Family Law Mediation Panels, 2010 to Present
Dispute Resolution Services (DRS), Riverside County Civil and Family Law Panel, 2007 to Present
First Resolution Services, Inc., Panelist, 2007 to 2010
IVAMS (Inland Valley Arbitration and Mediation Services), Panelist
San Bernardino Court “Triage Program” Developer and Presenter for County Contractor, IVJC (Inland Valley Justice Center), 2010 to 2012
Supervising Panelist for IVJC (Inland Valley Justice Center), 2010 to 2012
R.D.O.C.S. ADR Services (predecessor of C.A.M.S.) Co-Founder, Owner and Panelist, 2010 to 2010
Iranian American Women Foundation (I.A.W.F), 2014 to Present
Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire, 2016 to Present
Upland Chamber of Commerce, 2016 to Present
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce, 2016 to Present
People For Peace & Prosperity; A Platform For Change, A Non-Profit Public Benefit CA Corporation, Founder, CEO, 2016 to Present

Past Positions

Law offices of Abbas Hadjian & Associates, 1993 to 1997
San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office, Certified Law Clerk/Intern, 1992 to 1993
Riverside Public Defender’s Office, Certified Law Clerk/Intern, 1992 to 1993

Classes & Seminars

Inland Valley Interfaith Network at Parliament of World Religions in Salt lake City, Co-Presenter
Confronting Domestic Violence: Legal Ramifications and Advocacy, University of La Verne, College of Law, Ontario, California, Panel Presenter
Campaigns on Human Rights Violations: Letter Writing Campaign for Religious Persecution Victims, “The Yaran!” “Education Under Fire” Campaign and Film Screening at University of La Verne, Organizer & Public Presenter
Organization & Public Presentation of Campaigns on Human Rights Violations: Letter Writing Campaign for Religious Persecution Victims, “The Yaran!”, “Education Under Fire” Campaign and Film Screening at University of La Verne “Five Years Too Many!” Campaign Against Religious Persecution
University of La Verne College of Law, Immigration and Refugee Policies, Adjunct Professor
Guest Lecturer: Cal. State University, San Bernardino: The China Program—American Law and Culture, 2012
Guest Lecturer: Chapman University, Fullerton School of Law: Negotiation Course for Arab students, 2013

Pro-Bono Activities

Women on the Move Network, Co-Founder, Board of Directors, 2005 to Present
Women On the Move Network, President
Board Member of Spiritual Assembly of Baha’is of Upland, 1993 to Present
Past President & Co-Founder of Upland Interfaith Council, 1995 to Present
Co-Sponsor of “Upland Annual Prayer Breakfast,” 911 Commemoration Events, “National Day of Prayer,” “Charter For Compassion, International,” “Compassionate San Bernardino”, 1994 to Present
Co-Sponsor of "Week of Worship,” “11 Days of Unity,” “Community Partnership for Oneness,” and “Compassionate Cities/Healthy RC” Race Amity Day Celebrations and Unity Walk, 1994 to Present
University of La Verne Mock Trial Competition Judge, 1995 to Present
Co-Sponsor of Weekly Mentoring Programs & Conferences for Young Girls, and Monthly Women Empowerment Workshops, 2009 to Present
Board Member of the Community Partnership for Youth Development, 2005 to 2012
Board Member of Board of Visitors, University of La Verne, College of Law, 2008 to Present
Collaborative Divorce Professionals of the Inland Empire, Board Member, 2014 to Present
Member of University of La Verne Spiritual Life And Interfaith Advisory Council, 2016
Sponsor of “Gaining Unity” Quarterly Discussion series at Upland Police Department, 2016 to 2018
Panel Member and Presenter on Race Unity at “Upland Summit to Enhance Community Relationships”, 2016 to Present
Arbitrator for Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program of CA State & County Bars, 2000 to Present
Mediator Panelist for TAMS Civil and DRS Family Law Programs in Riverside Superior Court, 2011 to Present
Founder of “People for Peace and Prosperity” a socio-economic development project, 2016 to Present
Member “Compassionate San Bernardino,” and “Healthy RC”, 2016 to Present
Volunteer Certified Temporary Judge, Settlement Officer, Mediator and Volunteer Certified Temporary Judge, Settlement Officer, 1998 to Present
Mediation and Arbitrator for Riverside and San Bernardino County Small Claims, Superior Court Family Law and Civil Mediation Panels, as well as for local County Bars and ODR/ADR Mediation and Arbitration panels, 1998 to Present

Classes & Seminars

Guest Lecturer for Continuing Medical Education Courses for Physicians, 2004
Co-Lecturer on Transformative Mediation, SCMA, 2006
Panel Speaker, University of La Verne ADR, 2010
Guest Lecturer: Loma Linda University Graduate School of Psychology: Family Law Mediation, 2010
Guest Speaker: Baha’i Information Center, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Justice; a Baha’i Perspective, 2011
Guest Lecturer: Cal. State University, San Bernardino: The China Program-American Law and Culture, 2011
3rd Annual Student Multi-faith Leadership Conference: Presenter on Interfaith experience and challenges, Summer Series on Interfaith: Conversation With Interfaith Leaders, 2014
Presenter on Elder Issues: Kiwanis Club, Rancho Cucamonga, 2014
Panel Presenter on Domestic Violence Issues: Gender Equality conference University of La Verne, La Verne, California, 2014
Co-Presenter: Inland Valley Interfaith Network at Parliament of World Religions in Salt-lake City, 2015
Panel Presenter on Confronting Domestic Violence: Legal Ramifications and Advocacy, University of La Verne, College of Law, Ontario, California, 2019
Organization & Public Presentation of Campaigns on Human Rights, 2008
Love Never After- Women Empowerment Workshop for Women On The Move Network, INC., 2020
Spiritual Dialogues on Feminism for Women On The Move Network, Inc., 2021
Junior League of Los Angeles Roundtable- We all Intersect!, 2021

Publications

Production Editor, University of La Verne, College of Law, The Adelphia Law Journal, Vol. 7. 1991
“Second Degree Felony-Murder Rule and Child Abuse” University of La Verne, College of Law, Journal of Juvenile Law, Vol. 13. 1992
“Is the Unlawful Sexual Misconduct of a Minor ‘Willful Misconduct’ Under California’s Parental Liability Statue?” University of La Verne, College of Law, Journal of Juvenile Law, Vol. 13. 1992
“How to choose the right Attorney?” Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, July 2013
Nine O Nine Magazine: Monthly “Law Talk By: Soheila” articles and commentaries: “Talk is Cheap!” February 2013
“Talk is Cheap!” February 2013;“ See You In Court . . . . Really!?” March 2013
“ See You In Court . . . . Really!?” March 2013
YOUR WORST NIGHTMARES: The Double Jeopardy of Divorce and Taxes!!” May 2013
“’Father’s Right, Mother’s Rights, Grand Parents’ Rights” Who is Right!?!” June 2013
“A Legal Time-Bomb Called “Statute of Limitations!’” July 2013
“A Historic Background To California’s Same Sex Marriage Laws” August 2013
“THE USA PATRIOT ACT: Preserving The Life and Liberty of Americans After 9/11/01” September 2013
“What are the ‘10 essential health benefits’ under the new AFFORDABLE CARE ACT? ” October 2013
“How Much Do You Know (or need to know) about Entertainment and Intellectual Property laws?” November 2013
“Make Peace With Conflict: Use it as a Stepping Stone, Not a Stumbling Block!” December 2013;“Striving For Excellence” Magazine Cover Story and Biography
“Striving For Excellence” Magazine Cover Story and Biography, January 2014
“Ignorance of Law is Not a Defense! A Glance at some of The New Laws in California For 2014
January and February 2014; “International Women’s Day” March 2014
“What Do You Know About Your Marital Property Rights?!” April 2014
“How Does The Superior Court’s Reorganization Plan Affect Your Access to Justice?” May & June 2014
The Landmark “Patient Safety Act” qualifies for November 2014 California Ballot! July 2014
Prenuptial/Postnuptial Agreements: What, Why and When?” August 2014
“Are You Prepared to Face Elder Law Issues?” September 2014
“October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month” October 2014
“One Nation Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty & Justice For (Almost) All!” November 2014
“At Last, A Sensible Approach to America’s Broken System of Immigration!” December 2014
“When is A Landowner Responsible for Crime of Another?” March 2015
“Collaborative Mediation; The Ideal Team Approach to Conflict Resolution” April 2015
“Why Should The Courts Be The Last Resort (not the first!!!) For Resolving A Majority of Disputes?” May 2015
Let us Celebrate Every Day As The “Race Unity Day!” June 2015
“March Toward Equality” or “Threat to American Democracy?” July 2015
Flooding The Courts With “Water” Litigation! August 2015
"Litigate or Mitigate? First Investigate?! September 2015
Understanding The Roots of School Violence Can Offer A Broader Perspective on Prevention! October 2015
Another Celebrated Step Towards Gender Equality! December 2015
Have We Done Enough to Counter Violent Extremism? January 2016
How to Judge A Judge?! March 2016

Honors

Nominee: Women of Distinction, State Assembly 63rd District, 2015-Present
Recipient: Excellence in Peace Maker Award, Superior Court of California
Nominee: “Women in Business” Award, Orange County & LA Business Journal, 2013 & 2018
“Women of Distinction,” Inland Empire Magazine, 2011-Present
“Top Lawyers” Award, Inland Empire Magazine, 2011-Present
Recipient: Jane Addams Award, Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, 2014-2016
Recipient: Excellence in Service Award, City of Rancho Cucamonga Service Council, 2014
Recipient: Excellence in Service Award, County of San Bernardino, 2014
Recipient: Excellence in Service Award, California State Senate, 2014
Recipient: Peace Hero, Upland Interfaith Council, 2014
Recipient: Special Congressional Recognition Award as Joined with University of La Verne Spirit of La Verne Award for Community Engagement and Interfaith Cooperation, 2016
Recipient: “She’s The Change” Award by Urban Philanthropy Institute, Special Congressional Recognition, and Certification by California State Assembly, 2016
Recipient: “Service to Community Award” by University of La Verne Alumni Association, 2016
Recipient: “Trail Blazing Women” Recognition Award by Victor Valley College, 2017
Recipient: “Jennifer Brooks Lawyer of The Year Award” by Western San Bernardino County Bar Association, 2020