Public Safety.    Equal Justice.

Maria was born in Iran and fled to the United States with her family after the Iranian Revolution in search of safety, opportunity, and a better future. Like so many immigrants, her family lost everything but were able to rebuild their lives through hard work, education, and a deep belief in giving back to the community that gave them a chance. Those experiences shaped Maria’s values and led her to a lifelong career in public service.

During college, Maria earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology while volunteering extensively in free health clinics. Through this volunteer work, she saw firsthand how often those in need had been victimized and overlooked. This experience inspired her to pursue law school in hopes of giving a voice to those without one. Her early legal internships focused on advocating for the rights of incarcerated individuals, giving her a clear understanding of how much is at stake for everyone who enters the courtroom.

Maria began her legal career as a prosecutor in Northern California, where she handled both misdemeanor and felony cases impacting the lives of countless victims, many in underserved communities. She was later assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit, protecting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abduction, requiring professionalism, compassion, and fairness.

After returning to Southern California to be closer to her family, Maria served as a Deputy Trial Attorney for the State Bar of California before joining the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. While at the State Bar, she was tasked with protecting the public by holding attorneys accountable for misconduct.

Maria has served as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney for nearly 11 years, including more than six and a half years in the Gang Homicide Division, where she handles some of the most serious and complex homicide cases. She is respected by the judges before whom she appears and by the legal colleagues she works alongside. She is proud to have earned the endorsements of over 50 current and retired judges and the support of a broad coalition of legal professionals who have witnessed firsthand her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to the community.

 

After nearly two decades in the courtroom working to keep communities safe and ensure that every person is treated fairly, Maria is running for Judge. She brings the experience, temperament, and work ethic the role demands, along with a lifelong commitment to public service and equal treatment for all.