Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katayoon Iravani. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Katayoon, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience, fueled by grit, has been the driving force of my journey, shaped by the challenges I faced as the daughter of immigrant parents who fled Iran during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. As a first-generation Iranian American, life wasn’t always easy, but my world was truly upended in 2002 when my father fell into addiction, sending my family into turmoil. At just 8 years old, I had to grow up fast. I stepped in to help my overwhelmed mother manage household bills while also taking care of my younger sister. Mornings were spent finishing my math homework, and evenings often involved searching the alleys of the San Fernando Valley with my mom, trying to find my father who was deep in his addiction.
Despite the familial chaos, I held onto one guiding principle: I would not let my parents’ sacrifices be in vain. I refused to become another “statistic” of what often happens to children in these circumstances.
When my father became sober and my parents’ divorce was finalized, I moved in with him. During that time, my father often said I was his “sponsor,” and one of the reasons he chose to live rather than overdose. I took this position with pride. In fact, while my friends at school enjoyed sleepovers and extracurricular activities, I spent my afternoons working in my dad’s office to be with him and ensure his success with his new venture. At 11 years old, I handled everything in his new company, NK Towing, from dispatch and accounts receivable to HR, and even took on responsibilities akin to a COO. It was far from a typical childhood, but it gave me a sense of purpose and instilled a relentless drive to pursue something greater.
After graduating from college in four years—despite initially being on a six-year plan—and despite less-than-ideal LSAT scores, I kept pushing forward with my parents goal, and frankly my own: to become an attorney. I started at Whittier Law School, a tier 4 law school, but worked my way into the top 21% of my class, earning a highly competitive transfer to Loyola Law School, one of California’s top law schools.
During my 3L year, my final year of law school, just as my relationship with my father had begun to heal, he was surprisingly diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the end of the fall semester, and had to then communicate this to us on Christmas Eve. For the first time, I saw him not only as the man who had pushed me through those early years but also as someone who believed in me deeply. Despite the emotional weight of the situation, he made me promise that I would not give up on my dream of becoming an attorney. In April 2019, after five months of battling cancer, my father passed away. What followed was a difficult period of probate litigation and family conflict, with one particular relative intent on seeing me fail.
In the midst of this personal turmoil, I had to prepare for the California Bar Exam, known as the toughest in the nation. It took me three attempts—third time’s the charm—with each effort clouded by grief and the stress of familial disputes. But through all this, I didn’t give up. My father’s belief in me, his words, and the resilience I built since childhood kept me moving forward.
That resilience, cultivated from the hardships I faced as a young girl, has been my constant guide. It carried me through childhood, law school, and now fuels me as I launch my own law firm. Every obstacle has been a steppingstone, bringing me closer to fulfilling the promise I made to my father—and to the little girl who never stopped believing in her dreams.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
It’s such an exciting time, and the timing feels perfect. By the time this interview airs, I’ll be the co-founder of Cooper & Iravani LLP, a law firm specializing in business, entertainment, real estate, and employment law. Starting my own practice with less than five years of experience might seem unconventional, but it’s a step I’ve taken because of the deep trust my clients and partner, Keith Cooper, have placed in me, and the resilience I’ve built throughout my life. The belief and confidence from those around me, especially my clients, have been humbling. Their support has made it possible for me to take this leap so early in my career.
In fact, what makes my journey truly unique—and what excites me most about my work—is how closely my personal story ties to my professional life, down to specific matters I’ve handled for clients. From a young age, I faced challenges that forced me to grow up quickly. My father’s addiction, my family’s turmoil, and later, his battle with cancer taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and perseverance. Those lessons have shaped the way I practice law today. Whether I’m guiding clients through a business dispute or helping them navigate the complexities of California’s labor laws, I draw on that same grit and determination to see them through their own tough times.
With this new venture I am proud to share that at Cooper & Iravani LLP, we offer personalized, results-driven legal and business solutions. What sets us apart from our competition is our focus on truly understanding the needs of our clients and offering them the same level of dedication I’ve shown in my own life. Every client I work with is a reminder of why I’ve chosen this path—and why resilience (and grit), both personal and professional, is at the core of everything I do. In fact, I like to think that my brand is built on that foundation, and, indeed, it’s my commitment to help my clients find their own path forward, no matter how tough the road ahead may seem.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, adaptability, and empathy.
Resilience has been the cornerstone of everything I’ve achieved. From a young age, I faced significant challenges, whether it was dealing with my father’s addiction or managing the chaos that followed. Resilience helped me push through moments when giving up seemed like the easier option, and it’s been paramount in my professional journey as well. My advice to those early in their journey is to embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. Difficult moments will come, but how you respond to them will define your path. Develop resilience by finding your purpose and focusing on what matters most, even in the face of adversity.
Adaptability is another skill that has shaped my success. From pivoting during law school—transferring from Whittier to Loyola—to starting my own firm with under five years of practice, I’ve learned that being adaptable allows you to thrive in any situation. The legal field is constantly changing, and life itself is unpredictable. My advice is to stay open to new opportunities and be willing to adjust your plans as necessary. Cultivate adaptability by embracing change and viewing it as a way to expand your skillset rather than as a threat to your current path.
Empathy has also been a guiding force in how I approach both my personal and professional life. Having gone through difficult times myself, I know what it feels like to be in need of support. This perspective has allowed me to connect with my clients on a deeper level and truly understand their needs. For anyone just starting their journey, I encourage you to focus on developing empathy by listening and understanding others’ perspectives. This will help you build stronger relationships and become a more effective leader or professional, regardless of your field or “niche.”
In sum, resilience will keep you grounded, adaptability will help you navigate change, and empathy will guide you to connect meaningfully with others. Developing these qualities will not only help you overcome obstacles but also enable you to grow into a stronger, more well-rounded professional.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
You know with the story you are reading here today, it would be unfair to not credit my parents. In fact, the most impactful thing my parents did for me, amongst many others, was instill resilience, independence, and confidence. My parents’ journey as immigrants fleeing Iran during the Iranian Revolution profoundly shaped how they raised me. They didn’t shield me from the realities of life, especially during the period when my father struggled with addiction and losing his first business empire. Instead, they both trusted me to step up, help at home with my younger sister, and take on responsibilities in my father’s business. This empowerment gave me a strong sense of purpose and the drive to push through challenges, which has been the foundation of my career and life.
My mother, in particular, taught me confidence. As an Iranian singer, she faced harsh judgment from the community—especially as an Iranian woman in the entertainment industry. She knew how cruel people could be, yet she still walked into every room with poise and grace, even when she carried the shame of my father’s struggles with addiction and their overall divorce. She never let those judgments break her spirit, and, indeed, her strength became my example, and lighthouse, of how to handle life’s challenges with confidence. Her resilience and courage taught me that, no matter what the world throws at you, you can still hold your head high and pursue your goals with unwavering determination. To quote my mother, “if you got them watching, then put on your best show, baby.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ci-lawgroup.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/katooniee and www.instagram.com/kat.iravani
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katayooniravani/
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