Matt Zar

The Path

My path to the law was a more gradual, well-rounded, perhaps more “scenic” route, if you will. While a lot of attorneys take a typical undergrad to law school path, mine was a little different.

I graduated UCLA Summa Cum Laude, and jumped into the business world. Even though I’m a Bruin, Trojans are still always welcome at the firm. Having extensive business experience and truthfully, my business career was going great. I managed multi-million dollar projects all over California, overseeing Commercial Property Acquisition, Development, and Syndication. Managed over 500 employees in my tenure, and have negotiated consistently with some of the largest companies.

However, a few years into my career, I knew I could make a bigger social impact with the law. A lot of this comes from my own experience.

Starting Point

When I was younger, my father passed away after suffering complications from a slip and fall accident. Unfortunately, his attorneys could not get him justice or proper treatment, and my heart broke witnessing the emotional and physical toll it took on my mom. The truth is, for many years, I had a different opinion of the law. Growing up, it felt like everyone won but my family. I will admit it, I had a chip on my shoulder. I buried my feelings on the law and instead threw myself into my business career.

What began to change my perspective happened a few years down the road when my brother’s in-law, a kind and beloved woman, was killed by a city garbage truck. She was going about her normal day, and the truck recklessly backed into her as she crossed the street. Even though there was a settlement, no amount of money can bring her back. I again was reminded of how much the insurance companies tried to get away with during the settlement process. The wake-up call I needed to enter the legal profession came when I saw how they tried to devalue her life and worth.

Finding My Calling

I realized that there was a great purpose within the law and that I had the power to help others with it. This became my true calling and I set out onto my path. I enrolled in law school and didn’t look back. I passed Law School and the California State Bar while running a full-time business that employed many families, and in my practice, I have been able to combine my business negotiation skills with my legal knowledge.

My business experience gives me a unique advantage in dealing with Insurance companies because all they are is just another business. Settling a claim is often akin to negotiating a contract. Inevitably, insurance companies are going to present their lowest offer and try to make you think there is nothing more on the table. 95% of cases are settled without a trial, experience in negotiations is crucial. Anyone can settle a case, what matters is HOW much they can get out of these guys. Most attorneys boast how much they recovered, but how much COULD they have recovered?

Dedication

Dedicated to fitness, I wake up at 5:30 everyday and work out 6 days a week. I work hard to maintain my health so I can work twice as hard for you. My firm takes on your case because we believe in you and your unique situation and achieving the best settlement possible. Unlike other attorneys, we will not leave anything on the table that compromises your well-being.

Also you will notice that I don’t shamelessly display any prior settlement verdicts, unlike most other attorneys. Firstly, these can be misleading because they don’t portray how much could have or should have been received. Secondly, I find it distasteful to advertise and benefit from the misery of others. Personal injuries are often some of the most traumatic moments in peoples’ lives, our job as attorneys should not be to use their pain and suffering to attract more clients. The only ones I will speak of are my own, and I have come to learn that our clients genuinely appreciate that. Our results and quality of service is our best advertising.