Antonyan Miranda Press Magazine

ANTONYAN

MIRANDA, LLP PRESS

San Diego's Premier Family Law Firm has been making waves since 2015. Take a look at their highlights from recent years.

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Media Contact: Karen Korr for Antonyan Miranda karen@fullkorrpress.com (619) 944-0650 (cell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROMINENT SAN DIEGO FAMILY LAW FIRM ANTONYAN MIRANDA EXPANDS TO ORANGE COUNTY SAN DIEGO (January 5, 2024): Leading San Diego-based family law firm Antonyan Miranda is proud to announce the opening of a new office in Newport Beach, California. This strategic expansion to Orange County marks a significant milestone for the firm, broadening its footprint to better serve clients throughout Southern California.

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda, both Certified Family Law Specialists, merged their individual practices. The firm has since grown to become one of Southern California’s largest family law firms. Antonyan Miranda specializes in all areas of family law and also provides estate planning and probate litigation services. With a deep bench of experienced and dedicated lawyers, the firm has earned a reputation for aggressively advocating for its clients and achieving favorable outcomes in even the most complex cases.

The new Orange County office will strengthen the firm's presence in the region and offer the firm’s signature brand of legal services to a broader clientele. Antonyan Miranda Partner Sara Yunus, also a Certified Family Law Specialist, is the Managing Attorney for the new office.

"Opening an office in Orange County allows us to bring top tier legal talent to the region and represent even more families and individuals in need of our services,” said Ilona Antonyan, Antonyan Miranda Co-Founder. “We know that under Sara’s very capable leadership, we will provide unparalleled service to our Orange County-based clients as they navigate the various challenges of family law and probate matters.”

Yunus has been employed as an attorney at Antonyan Miranda since the firm’s inception and has successfully litigated a broad range of family law matters, from child custody and domestic violence restraining orders to complex asset division and business valuation. She garnered international media recognition for her role in successfully obtaining a $150,000 judgment of past-due child support for her 73-year-old client, following 50 years of non-payment.

"I am thrilled to be at the helm of our new office, and excited for Antonyan Miranda to become fully integrated into Orange County’s legal community,” said Yunus. “Our firm has earned a reputation for garnering great results for clients in even the most intricate matters, and we are proud to have earned the trust of clients throughout Orange County and beyond."

The new office is located at 660 Newport Center Dr, Ste. 100 Newport Beach, CA 92660 in the heart of Newport Beach.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Its state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information on the firm, visit www.antonyanmiranda.com ###

TIM MIRANDA, ESQ., CFLS A N T O N YA N M I R A N DA , LLP F O U N D I N G PA RT N ER When searching for a tenacious attorney with a proven track record of delivering excellence to his clients, Tim Miranda, founding partner at Antonyan Miranda, is the man to turn to. His firm specializes in complex family law litigation, assisting clients throughout their divorces and other family situations, with a focus on protecting family, finances and assets.

Miranda’s interest in the industry was sparked by his penchant for debate and public speaking, as well as his interest in the concept of pursuing justice. “Litigation seemed to provide a perfect confluence of my skill set and interests,” explains Miranda. This Modern Man is passionate about his career and attributes his continued success to his hard work, perseverance and grit. Miranda is proud to have co-founded this firm and remains inspired by the scope of its work.

“As an attorney and businessman, my professional inspiration is drawn from the complexities presented in my cases, the competitive nature of my profession, and my overarching desire for innovation and iconoclasm,” says Miranda. Committed to supporting the San Diego community, Antonyan Miranda, as a firm, sponsors many legal and non-legal organizations throughout the county, both financially and through volunteerism.

Miranda personally donates to organizations that he feels perform outstanding work that benefits the community as a whole.

As for the best advice Miranda’s ever received, he credits being encouraged to read Niccolo Machiavelli’s “The Prince” as a young man, which has helped to shape his perspective. However, if he were to offer his younger self advice, he’d say “to start sooner and take even bigger risks.” The future of Antonyan Miranda features continued innovation and expansion. The firm recently opened a new office in Newport Beach and has additional projects currently underway.

402 W BROADWAY, 21ST FLOOR, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101 619.696.1100 ANTONYANMIRANDA.COM @ANTONYAN_MIRANDA PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN VINCENT

WOMEN Sara Yunus Esq., CFLS ANTON YAN MIR ANDA, LLP

Growing up in South Orange County, Sara Yunus had a firsthand look at the impact of messy divorces on friends and family. It sparked her interest in family law and the psychological aspects of navigating the legal process during such a disruptive time in people’s lives. Today, as a Certified Family Law Specialist, Yunus thrives in the courtroom and takes on what appear to be “unwinnable” cases, turning them around with the right strategy and legal presentation.

Yunus’ passion for representing her clients is evident in her track record of success. Through determination, drive, and hard work, she has achieved favorable outcomes that have brought her clients to tears of joy. Yunus considers these moments of triumph and the appreciation from her clients as the most rewarding aspect of her job.

Not only is Yunus a successful attorney she is also a female role model to others. This Dynamic Woman mentors law students and clerks and invites them to shadow her on cases, allowing them to witness firsthand what it’s like to be a family lawyer.

Yunus’ dedication to her clients and her passion for family law has not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star for multiple years and has even garnered global attention for a child support case she represented. Through her efforts, her over 70- year-old client received a $150,000 child support judgment after going 50 years without payments from her ex.

With her accomplishments in San Diego County, Yunus is excited to expand her firm, Antonyan Miranda, LLP, to Orange County. There is no limit to how big she wants her practice to grow, all in the name of helping her community.

THE COURTROOM IS WHERE YOU GET TO BE CREATIVE AND I THINK THAT’S WHERE I PROSPER.

660 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 100, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 949.606.1100 | ANTONYANMIRANDA.COM PHOTOGR A PH Y BY SA R A H M A RCELLA

Seated L to R: Timothy Miranda*, Ilona Antonyan* Standing L to R: Sara Yunus**, Zachary Whitman**, Anthony J. Catena**, Justin R. Prybutok**, Mario Alvarado**, Jocelyn M. Russo** Not pictured: Matthew M. Kremer* *Selected to Super Lawyers **Selected to Rising Stars

402 W. BROADWAY 21ST FLOOR SAN DIEGO, CA 92101 619.696.1100 EXPERTDIVORCELAW.COM

ANTONYAN MIRANDA, LLP PROTECT YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES®

Divorce and family law can be complex and emotional, but Antonyan Miranda, LLP never shies away from the toughest cases. Antonyan Miranda is one of the largest family law firms in California, specializing in complex family law litigation, high-net-worth divorce, appeals, contempt, domestic violence, child custody and support, and all other family matters. We are a results-driven organization that provides a comprehensive approach to family law including in-house forensic accountancy and estate planning services. We are legal problem solvers with diverse cultural backgrounds and significant professional accomplishments, who understand the needs of each case and have the knowledge, determination, resources, and experience to get the job done. Antonyan Miranda serves its clients with professional, personalized attention—be it aggressive litigation or comprehensive mediation.

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WRIT LARGE

‘A Win for the Underdog’ Sara Yunus on that 50-year-old child support case

After Yunus negotiated a $150,000+ settlement in a 50-year-old child support case, the phone began to ring with media requests.

BY JESSICA P. OGILVIE

When a case involving the custody of an adopted child with special needs came across Sara Yunus’ desk, some said she’d never win.

Yunus, a family law attorney at Antonyan Miranda in San Diego, represented the child’s adoptive mother. The woman met her husband after she adopted the child, and he never sought parenting rights— until their divorce filing.

In California law, “There is a code that allows a person to go in and ask for parentage even if they’re not the biological parent—as long as they have held a child out as their own and accepted the child into their home,” says Yunus.

But the child was thriving with his mother and would have suffered in a high-conflict scenario in which he moved between homes. In her research, Yunus discovered a critical point: During periods of separation in the marriage, the husband never checked in with the child.

“He would never reach out to say, ‘Can I talk to him? How’s he doing?’” she says.

“He took no interest.”

The judge took the case under submission. When Yunus found out they’d won, she called the client. “Both of us just cried together,” she says.

It’s the type of case that Yunus loves: not just a challenge, but one that allows her to learn. “I don’t want to be comfortable every day,” she says. “I like to read new case law and see what the new developments are in family law. Doing different things and more complex matters just keeps you thinking.”

Yunus’ family knows all about challenges. Her mother was born in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. in the 12

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Sara Yunus Antonyan Miranda; Family Law; San Diego

1980s as a political refugee; her father, also of Afghan heritage, was born in the U.S. and lived all over the world.

“My parents, when they got married, they had nothing,” she says. “They built everything together.”

They also placed a strong emphasis on education. And it was while spending a semester in Washington, D.C., as an undergraduate that Yunus developed a passion for politics and the law. “It’s such a motivating city,” she says. “I would be sitting at the bus stop waiting to get to my internship and I would have these amazing conversations with strangers about what’s going on in the world. Everybody was so smart and informed. … I wanted to be one of them.”

At law school, she focused on family law—“the case law was so interesting, reading real stories about people’s lives,” she says—and never looked back.

Recently, Yunus made national news with a child support case with a twist: The client was in her 70s and sought to recover funds she was owed from an order issued 50 years earlier. “There’s no statute of limitations in the state of California for child support,” Yunus says.

Shortly after Yunus negotiated a settlement that, including interest, amounted to $150,000, Yunus’ receptionist let her know: “Hey, Good Morning America is on the line.” She gets the interest.

Ready for Her (First) Closeup In college, Yunus interned as a reporter at Ariana Afghanistan Television, an Orange County-based news program broadcast live throughout the Middle East and Asia. Covering international events, she appeared every Friday. “I did a lot of coverage about Iran, and I really had to practice how to say Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s name so I’m not offending people,” she says. After the internship ended, Yunus was invited back for several years.

One way the experience helped prepare her for the courtroom?

“Knowing how to speak slowly— how to communicate a point in the most effective way.”

“This is a win for the underdog,” she says. “The single mom who went years without getting any child support, who supported her kid, who couldn’t save at all. … And now this $150,000 is really going to change her life.”

These days, Yunus focuses mostly on high-asset divorce cases and postjudgment modifications of divorce decrees.

“I started out mainly doing custody and child support and I’ve kind of steered away from that,” she says. “I find the more complex issues interesting now.” s

ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS WERE CHOSEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCESS ON PAGE 22.

3/6/23 12:23 PM

You Want Your Child Vaccinated, but Your Ex Says No For some parents who share custody, the Covid vaccine has created a minefield of issues that initial divorce decrees could not have anticipated.

Author: Debra Kamin Publish Date: April 4, 2022

IN LATE 2021, Adele Grote, a divorced mother of two in Minneapolis, took her children to a vaccination clinic at the Mall of America. But when her 13-yearold daughter called her father to let him know they were getting the shot, Ms. Grote knew they would have to leave without it.

Just over a quarter of children between ages 5 and 11 in the United States are fully vaccinated, according to a New York Times database; among older kids, ages 12 to 17, the rate is 59 percent.

For parents who have yet to vaccinate their children, the reasons for hesitation vary. In an October 2021 survey from the Kaiser Foundation, many cited concerns about long-term side effects, including how vaccines might later affect their child’s fertility (though there is no evidence indicating that the vaccines impact fertility). And after a widely shared study about the risk of myocarditis and the Covid-19 vaccine, the C.D.C. affirmed that the vaccine is safe and cases of heart inflammation after vaccination are rare.

In most cases, whether they have decided to vaccinate now, later or never, doctors say the parents they counsel have agreed with each other. But when they do not, the battle is part of a new pandemic front in divorce custody battles, one that is poised to expand with the imminent approval of vaccines for children under 5. Last month, Moderna announced plans to seek emergency authorization of their coronavirus vaccine for babies and toddlers after seeing promising results in a clinical study.

Ms. Grote, who wants to vaccinate her children, while her ex-spouse does not, has been divorced since 2019. She and her ex share custody of their daughter and 11-year-old son. As a nurse in an intensive care unit, Ms. Grote has cared for many critically ill Covid-19 patients, but her children remain unvaccinated, a status, she said, that is a result of how her custody proceedings continue to unfold in family court.

“I’m a single mom. I don’t have a ton of money,” she said. “But the money I’ve spent battling this, I could have taken my kids to Disney World, twice.”

Her custodial agreement with her ex-husband, drawn up before the pandemic, stipulates that when it comes to medical decisions for the children, both parents follow the recommendations of their pediatrician. If either disagrees with what the doctor says, they need to see a court-appointed mediator, who can write up contracts that are enforceable in court. The process is slow, Ms. Grote said, and often spirals into demands put forth by one parent and thrown out by the other. So when the vaccine became available for children under 12, she tried just taking them to the clinic, an approach that didn’t work out.

The End of the U.S. Public Health Emergency A Key Moment: The coronavirus public health emergency, declared by the Trump administration in 2020, expired on May 11. But experts warned that this does not mean that the virus is going away.

The Last Barrier: As a result of the emergency declaration’s expiration, international passengers traveling to the United States no longer have to show proof of vaccination against Covid.

Mixed Emotions: More than 1.1 million Americans have died of Covid. The end of the emergency declaration has landed in complicated ways for those who were affected most acutely.

Covid Precautions: While mandates and lockdowns are long gone, the virus isn’t, and for some Americans, neither are masks.

“So we still exist in this limbo. I’m fully vaccinated, and I pray to God that they don’t get sick,” Ms. Grote said. The court’s stance, which requires processes to stall when one parent contests the medical decisions of another, she said, has given her ex-husband de facto veto power on getting vaccinated. “He’s making all of the decisions, because anytime the doctors try to do anything for our kids, he says no,” she said.

Her ex-husband, Jamey Groethe, sees it differently. “I want what’s best for our children no matter what,” said Mr. Groethe, who stressed that while he is opposed to his children receiving the Covid19 vaccine because he is worried about how safe it is, he is not anti-vaccine in general.

Joshua Rogers, a small-business owner in Los Angeles, is the father of two boys. He and his exgirlfriend had only recently begun custody proceedings for the boys last year when a vaccine was cleared for children ages 5 and up, making their older son eligible. But while he was anxious to get him inoculated, his ex was not.

As soon as the shot was made available, Mr. Rogers filed an application for a family court hearing and marked it ex parte, or urgent. The judge didn’t agree on the urgency.

“It was rubber-stamp denied, quite literally, with a stamp on it that said ‘no exigent circumstances,’” Mr. Rogers said. “And I was like, of course there are exigent circumstances. We have a global pandemic, we have to get these kids vaccinated ASAP.” When contacted, Mr. Rogers’ ex-girlfriend declined to comment.

But at a court hearing in mid-February, the judge granted Mr. Rogers decision-making power over issues of vaccination, and the boy is now vaccinated. “It’s really whatever the judge says. Whatever

this one man thinks, that’s what goes,” Mr. Rogers said, pointing out that he still doesn’t fully understand why he was able to move forward.

That sort of clarification is necessary, said Tim Miranda, founding partner of Antonyan Miranda, a family law firm in San Diego. “If the court doesn’t make a specific order about things like medical care, then both parents can individually take whatever action they would like in that realm.” Parents who are currently navigating the custody process should be clear with their legal teams if they disagree with the vaccination stance of their ex, said Mr. Miranda, and be prepared to argue as to why they, and not the other parent, should be vested with medical decision-making powers for their child. They should also be sure that their pediatrician or therapist has views that align with their own.

“The courts give a lot of credence to the treating therapist or doctor, because they’re the ones dealing within the realm of the patient,” Mr. Miranda said. “The standard is to decide what is in the best interest of the child.” If parents can’t come to a mutual agreement over what “best interest” means, however, courts generally opt to grant one parent power to make the decision, as they did with Mr. Rogers.

Laws vary slightly from state to state, Mr. Miranda said, but in general, “it’s a pretty high bar with something like a vaccination. If you’re going to oppose it, you’d have to have a pretty good reason, like a religious conviction or a medical condition.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics does not have an official stance on vaccinating children in situations of custodial disputes, said Dr. Tiffany Kimbrough, an A.A.P. member and medical director of the mother-infant unit of the medical center at Virginia Commonwealth University. (They do, however, state, “It is prudent for the physician to inquire about marital status and custody issues when relevant” in this 2017 report.)

“This has become such a hot-button issue,” she said. “We’re seeing a lot more difference of opinion than with traditional medical therapies and preventative care.”

In New York, the courts will almost always favor vaccination, said Naomi Schanfield, a New York City lawyer specializing in family and marriage law.

“Our office has been inundated with calls from parents saying, ‘I’m boosted and triple vaxxed, but I’m opposed to the vaccine for my child. What can you do to help me?’” The answer, at least in New York State, is not much, said Ms. Schanfield. “If the pediatrician recommends the vaccine, that’s what the court will rule.”

In situations where custody agreements are not yet clear-cut, however, the process to wrest power over vaccine decisions can feel frustratingly slow for an anxious parent. Those who opt to bypass court regulations and — as Ms. Grote tried to do — take their child to be vaccinated without the consent of their ex-partner run the risk of being held in contempt of court. But the likelihood of losing custody over such an action is slim, Mr. Miranda said.

“They’d have to determine that the parent was acting detrimentally to the health, safety or welfare of the child,” said Mr. Miranda, who added that it would be a tough sell in court.

Tim Miranda Esq., CFLS ANTONYAN MIRANDA, LLP FOUNDING PARTNER

Powerhouse attorney Tim Miranda joined forces with Ilona Antonyan to found Antonyan Miranda in 2015.

Together, they’ve created one of California’s largest family law firms where they handle a wide range of complex cases, including divorce and domestic violence, property division, support, appeals, estate planning and probate litigation. “Antonyan Miranda endeavors to protect, preserve and secure all that’s important to our clients,” says Miranda. “We’re definitely a results-driven organization.”

As a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Miranda has always found the complexities and competitive nature of his work as a litigator to be compelling. “There are no dull moments in family law and I pride myself on never being outworked or out-prepared by my colleagues,” he says.

“I like to approach law and business with an iconoclastic perspective and I’m not afraid to swing for the fences when that’s a viable strategy.”

He’s also deeply committed to the local community.

Antonyan Miranda provides no-cost family law continuing education courses to the public, as well as to their staff, and they sponsor local charities and legal associations. They also volunteer attorney time to the court for settlement and arbitration proceedings.

402 W Broadway, 21st Floor, San Diego, CA 619.696.1100, antonyanmiranda.com, @antonyan_miranda PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM KING

ADS FOR THE SAD Divorcée talks with Antonyan Miranda, king of divorce billboards Author: Danielle Thomassen Publish Date: May 3, 2023

FIVE MONTHS INTO MY RECENT NUPTIALS, I found myself in something of an ominous place,

matrimonially speaking: on the 21st floor of the downtown Emerald Plaza, which houses the law office of popular divorce law firm Antonyan Miranda. You know the one: right now, they’re advertising themselves as having been “Voted Best Wedding Planner,” on billboards along various San Diego highways. They’ve got another one reading “Size Mattered,” which might not be as crude as it sounds: perhaps it means that the wife grew unhappy with the husband’s meager income, or that the husband was displeased with his wife’s weight gain. Perhaps.

As I stepped out of the elevator into the almost overwhelming, brightly painted vestibule, I read the phrases on the wall: “Protect yourself at all times,” “The ring comes off, the gloves come off,” and “Avoid Mediocrity.” That last one seemed cryptic: surely a failed marriage was a mediocre result? But then, maybe not as mediocre as getting a lousy deal in the divorce. I reached for the door to the reception area and was surprised to find it locked. Visions of angry exes, the kind who had failed to avoid mediocrity and were out for revenge, flashed in my mind.

The receptionist’s voice crackled over the intercom: “How can I help you?” I told her I was there for an appointment with Mr. Miranda. After confirming this, she swiftly granted me access. I was greeted warmly, shown to the nearest conference room, and offered a beverage.

I was relieved to find that the world inside the locked doors felt a lot different from the one outside. The conference room was comfortable and light-filled, offering sweeping views of the harbor and downtown San Diego. Not a bad place to start one of the most tumultuous events of your life, I thought to myself. And I would know; this wasn’t my first time being a newlywed. I knew, intimately, the shell shock that sets in once you realize the honeymoon can’t last forever, that marriage is more than just an unending two-person party, that maybe you’ve made a terrible mistake. But even on the inside, there were hints of the attitude behind those vestibular phrases,

and those billboards: a cluster of pens resting in a branded mug, the handle of which was a set of brass knuckles. The mug sat next to a box of tissues and a dish of chocolates; this struck me as emblematic of the place’s vibe: tough or sweet, depending what side you were on. The pens, surprisingly, were emblazoned only with the firm’s logo and not some aggressive phrase about things mightier than swords. Can’t all be winners. I took a swig out of my complimentary Antonyan Miranda water bottle and leaned back in one of the room’s eight $200 ergonomic chairs.

As I swiveled to the left, I noticed a large, mounted TV, the sole purpose of which seemed to be the display of an infinite loop of their popular billboards: the classic raised ring finger flanked by “Antonyan Miranda” and “expertdivorcelaw.com,” the stick figure heading for the door over the web address divorciandose.com, the blunt “Split Happens.” I zoned out as the cascade of slides washed over me, and started thinking about how there weren’t many things less humorous than divorce — than the grief that comes with realizing your vision of “forever” is not going to pan out.

If only it were as simple as merely heading for the exit sign, rather than navigating who gets the kids or dogs, or saying goodbye to your second set of parents (who may possibly hate you forever now). “Split happens,” sure, but just because something is commonplace does not make it any less painful.

And of course, the pain doesn’t end at the “split;” it echoes for years, rising up and surprising you at the most bizarre moments. Not long after my own divorce, I found myself in pigeon pose during a yoga class in Ocean Beach, suddenly overwhelmed with nostalgia for a night in with my husband, sitting on the couch, just drinking wine and watching our favorite shows. The better times. As I breathed downward into my yoga mat, tears gathering in the corners of my eyes, I wondered: Do I miss him? Or just the idea of him? Will I be alone forever? Am I damaged goods? Was the mistake not marrying him, but leaving him? Do I need to cancel my yoga membership?

Thankfully, and despite the apparent permission I was being granted by those looped billboards, I was not in this office to seek another divorce. I was there to talk to the man behind these messages. Tim Miranda, founding partner and litigation trial attorney at Antonyan Miranda, estimates that they have about twenty billboards up around the county right now. With regulations capping San Diego at just under 600 allowable billboards, this means that these flippant, sometimes confrontational ads make up about 3% of all available billboard space in San Diego.

“We have had people that express their distaste for them,” said Miranda, seated across from me in a perfectly tailored black suit contrasted by a yellow and brown plaid shirt — no tie. This intriguing ensemble fell in line with the rest of my dichotomous experience thus far. For all of the tough talk on the billboards and the “take no prisoners” mentality of the firm’s marketing, this guy was evenkeeled and calm. The tough exterior indicated by the suit was belied by the jovial yellow shirt underneath. “Fortunately, there are more people that seem to express adulation for them; they like the creativity, and at least the humor. But there is a small percentage of people that have indicated they don’t like it, sent an email or left a message, something to that effect.” Asked for specifics, he demurred, “I really don’t want to dignify the criticism or that type of response,” but I didn’t detect any animosity in his tone.

The first billboard went up in 2019, just before covid. “The idea of a billboard in the abstract was to gain awareness of the type of work we do; it’s not necessarily a field of law the everybody talks about, although there is quite a bit of divorce and family law in the state of California — particularly in Southern California — so it was really just a way of expanding our marketing footprint into somewhat of a non-traditional medium.” Prior to the billboards, the firm primarily marketed through more “organic” methods: referrals, word-of-mouth, pay-per-click ads. By and large, those still remain the firm’s primary source of business — “the billboards are just an adjunct marketing campaign.”

It’s hard for me to hold the terms “marketing” and “divorce” together in my head without wincing — it’s almost as if marriage itself were a commodity. But Miranda noted that while his billboards were unusual in one way, they were common in another. “I think that when somebody typically has a need [for a divorce attorney], then they will start to do research, which includes asking around and things like that. It seems like the majority of advertisements are about personal injury and other areas. Maybe because it’s more palatable, I’m not sure. I think there is also just some general distaste for attorneys that advertise through mediums such as billboards, and some people just don’t like attorney advertising at all.”

When I was going through my own determination of “irreconcilable differences” — that’s the official term used on my divorce decree — “adjunct marketing campaign” was not a term that I would ever have associated with the experience. This might be because my ex and I did not shop

around for high-end lawyers; he simply used a family friend who was an attorney — the business motto was “Remember the Alimony,” so maybe some marketing was at play, after all — drew up some papers, and sent them to me in the mail. The whole thing cost me $25, the price of my own copy of the divorce decree.

Even so, I remember it being a stressful hassle and that it took me some time to figure out a loophole regarding notarization in California. When I finally did, and proudly e-mailed his attorney to let him know that I had just put the papers in the mail, he responded: “You don’t have to send anything to the clerk’s office. The divorce is done and over with” Exactly like that. Not even the dignity of a period at the end of the sentence that unceremoniously changed my life forever.

The world dissolved in that moment, like a room’s four walls collapsing away from me. Actually, and maybe oddly, that’s also how it felt when the man who was now my ex proposed to me, four years earlier. It was one of those moments when you know nothing will be the same ever again. I forwarded the unpunctuated e-mail to my ex with a simple, uncapitalized “what?” and he responded that he had gone to court the week prior, that everything was completed (read: I had unknowingly been a bona fide divorcee for a week already), and that any future correspondence should go through his attorney. And just like that..split happened.

I asked Miranda why Southern California was such a hotbed for family law. He replied, “I can’t really pin that down for sure, because I haven’t been divorced.” When he said “never been divorced,” he also meant that he’s never been married. Could being a divorce lawyer have something to do with that? At first, Miranda bristled at the question, asking me, “What does that have to do with the billboards?” Although I half-expected this reaction, I was still a little surprised that he didn’t anticipate the question: a person who has never been married is not only peddling divorce, but doing so in jokey fashion. That he recognized my question as intrusive but didn’t see how billboards about something so private and painful might be construed as being in bad taste seemed to suggest some tone-deafness on his part.

Following this revelation, all of the tough talk — on billboards and in this office — started to feel like a caricature of real divorce, like a kindergartener’s rendition of what being an adult must feel like. Maybe that’s just showbiz. And admittedly, in some ways, a young marriage can feel the same way: naive, superficial. I have a distinct memory of wondering if my ex-husband and I were just “playing house,” whether we even truly knew and trusted one another.

Eventually, after I re-tooled the question a little, he chose to answer it, albeit more generally (read: diplomatically), speaking for divorce attorneys as a whole. “I think generally, [working in divorce law] does, and the ‘why’ part of that is because we have a front row seat to all of the acrimony and antics and fighting that occur between spouses when they are going through a divorce. We are also able to see those that are able to reach agreements, co-parent effectively, and resolve these cases by settlement. So you get a unique perspective as to how different people react to these types of situations, and you also, I think, vicariously are able to glean just better ways to deal with certain circumstances, relationships and otherwise. You are able to see the circumstances unfold when people are going through a divorce. So I think all divorce attorneys have probably learned from their clients’ mistakes and I’d like to think that that’s helped make them better in their own relationships.”

Being an attorney is a second career for Miranda, one which he has been at for eleven years. (That didn’t seem all that long, but then I remembered that eleven years was about the amount of time I would have been with my ex-husband had we not ended our marriage. Suddenly, it felt like an eternity.) “I had worked as an executive in the telecommunications industry,” he said. “I found myself always having a longing to be an attorney; that was probably shaped, in part, by the fact that I was chronically involved in regulatory issues and other legal things that made me think about maybe doing it for myself. I guess I had an aptitude for it and found it compelling. I did an online, part-time program — which was effectively self-teaching —while I was working at another telecommunications business. I got into family law because, when I started my career, I was working in criminal defense. One of the subsets of that was doing domestic violence, and restraining orders are conducted in the family court. I started doing some work there and I realized I enjoyed it. It was a lot of litigation and court appearances, things that I enjoy.”

In 2015 — the year my own three-year marriage ended, the year my then-husband packed up our two dogs and his belongings and drove across the country to retreat back to our home state of Connecticut — Miranda merged practices with Ilona Antonyan to form the Antonyan Miranda firm.

In addition to family and divorce law, the firm offers estate and probate services. (They have billboards for that as well, notably a grinning skull in a top hat with the slogan, “Dead. Grateful.”)

And who is the mastermind behind the boards? Impressively, it’s Mr. Never-Been-Married himself: “I am primarily responsible for marketing. I will have an idea and try to find a way to encapsulate that idea in what we think would be an appropriate billboard — meaning, short on text, so it’s easy to read, and something that’s going to be evocative, so people will think about it. I will typically discuss with my business partner Ilona, and sometimes I’ll ask others here for their opinions. I do take unsolicited contributions from others. I hear quite a bit about it now; I have friends who offer suggestions, or other people we work with for other types of creative work, like photographers, who have ideas. But the bulk of it is internal, and it’s mostly just me.”

For all of the tough talk on the billboards and the “take no prisoners” mentality of the firm’s marketing, Tim Miranda was even-keeled and calm.

When asked if he has any background in writing or comedy, he smirked in a way that suggested pride at my insinuation, shook his head, and simply replied, “No.” So no formal experience, either in comedy or divorce — again, impressive. He described his creative process: “Because I am a fulltime attorney with a full-time caseload, the inspiration often comes when I have a moment to stop and think. I have to have some kind of pause in the action to be able to then activate my creative side. So, usually, it would be on the weekend, or a time when I don’t have court or any matters that are pressing. I’ll just start thinking about where we are in the season, or things that are going on. I typically will come up with several ideas in one sitting, and then I will sketch those out so I have some sort of graphical interpretation of what I want to do. Then I will typically confer with other people to get their opinions, or I will just come back to it later and consider it again.”

Miranda said that the holiday ones tend to be the most popular, like “Cinco de bye-o,” tax season’s “Death and Exes,” and the cozy “Thanksleaving” But, he added, “I like them all, because I think they were inspired and had meaning at that particular time.”

“Where we are in the season” translated, last Christmastime, to a billboard that simply read, “Ho.” Particularly incendiary? Miranda didn’t think so. “By and large, some people think that anything you advertise that deals with a sensitive topic — divorce, domestic violence — is just in poor taste or should not be something that is mass-marketed. I think because of the eclectic constituency here in this county, some people just have different sensibilities and perceptions of what people should be advertising or not advertising. I think that if someone has that perspective in general — that communicating a message such as we do is offensive — then it really doesn’t matter what the creative content is. It’s still communicating that message, so it still has that impact. We certainly don’t do this to offend anybody. If you consider the divorce rate in Southern California, and then probate — it’s just a natural process, someone’s estate is being probated when they pass — we just don’t think the subject matter is objectively offensive. And we just try to put some kind of humorous spin on it to take some stigma out of it.”

We talked about the firm’s newest mascot, “Skully,” that top-hatted skull who represents their probate law practice. “We wanted something that would be a little more festive, more of a celebration. If you are looking at death like Day of the Dead in Mexico and other Latin American countries, [death] isn’t necessarily a negative incident. Again, we are compelling people to think about it, but in a way that isn’t going to be too polarizing.”

At that moment, we both realized he was gazing over my shoulder. He caught himself: “Sorry, I was actually looking at the TV; we have some of the billboards scrolling there behind you.” Ah, the artist beholden by his art. I feigned surprise and pretended to notice the TV for the first time. He steadied his gaze and continued: “And that’s just the way we do things here, by the way. When you walked in here — the elevator lobby, the vivid graphics — this is not a traditional type of firm, with, you know, wood paneling and parchment letterhead. We do things differently here.”

Advertising is suggestion. Booze advertisers will tell you that they’re just pitching their brand, but they’re also pitching the pleasures of drink. I confronted Miranda with the suggestion that his billboards could be construed as encouraging — or at least making light of — the decision to divorce. In particular, I brought up the “Baby I’m Bored” billboard, in part because it was a complaint that came up in my own first marriage quite often. I have a very clear memory of sitting in silence across from my ex at dinner at a then-new restaurant in OB, thinking what a cool place this was, and how I would rather be there with anyone but him because our relationship had

become so boring. Wondering if that was a good enough reason to leave someone. Miranda replied, “I would think that if you were in a relationship, especially a marriage, that was that tenuous that you saw a billboard that was obvious jest and that somehow was the compulsion for you to want to get a divorce — I wouldn’t buy that. I don’t think that’s credible. I would assume that if you are in a relationship and wanted to get a divorce, and you were dissatisfied, and you saw that, then it might compel you to contact us or remember us, but I can’t see that being a precipitating factor to getting a divorce. I would like to think the messaging was that strong, but I don’t think it is.”

I tend to disagree. I tend to think the subtle, pervasive permission offered by these billboards is metastatic, very much akin to those alcohol advertisements in which everyone is laughing and having the time of their lives. The ads never show morning after, the remorse, the drunk dials — the real life version. But the bombardment of those drinky ads sends the same message over and over: this is normal, this is fun, and you should be doing it. And if you don’t or can’t, maybe it’s because you are broken or wrong. So if you’re married and you’re bored…

We descended into more mundane considerations. Miranda chose not to share with me exactly how much the firm drops on the billboard campaign monthly or annually, and the city’s three biggest billboard peddlers — Lamar, Outfront and Clear Channel — could not be reached for comment on pricing. As for selecting locations, Miranda said, “It’s based on a variety of factors, like availability.

There are some advertisers that have national contracts and other billboards never seem to be available. I think obviously we look at high visibility — eyeballs — so, freeways and things like that. If you are doing a campaign that is in Spanish, like it includes a Spanish URL, then you would probably place it in a community where there would be a higher population of Spanish-speaking residents. Above all, you want to have a good mix geographically, so you can get to as many corners of the county as possible.” When asked what’s next for the firm in the way of creative advertisements, he said only that “people can continue to expect really good billboards that make people think.” Think about what? I wondered. Think about if they should up-end their entire lives?

As we wound up our time together, I saw myself out of the conference room and its half month’s rent worth of chairs. Just outside the room, a white “Antonyan Miranda” surfboard was propped up next to a case of what looked to be merch: an array of backpacks, hats, lanyards, T-shirts and mugs covered in brass knuckles, hammers, fists and “Skully.” Indeed, Antonyan Miranda offers “swag” through their website; 100% of the proceeds go to the Antonyan Miranda Foundation, which is “composed of children of divorce, children of immigrants and children of less than ideal socioeconomic circumstances,” and seeks to support children and young adults experiencing hardship in their educational endeavors and to encourage them to “think big about their future potential.”

The last thing I saw before I exited back into the brightly colored vestibule was a collection of four “Golden Sledgehammer” awards, an internal recognition for attorneys who have done outstanding work — colloquially, “For hammering the competition.” The award is a glossy black plaque, the firm’s AM logo laser etched in gold in the top left, the recipient’s name in the bottom right. The sledgehammer’s head is, naturally, painted gold; the entire thing is mounted on the plaque and — I had to lean in to see it, but there it was — has the following engraved on the handle: “Do you want to sleep, or do you want to win?”

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ATTORNEY ANTHONY BOUCEK ONE OF FIVE ACTIVE ATTORNEYS TO POSSESS CALS/CFLS DESIGNATION SAN DIEGO (January 23, 2023): Antonyan Miranda attorney Anthony Boucek has recently been designated as a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction earned by less than one percent of California’s active attorneys.

In addition to earning the CFLS designation, Boucek previously was named a Certified Appellate Law Specialist (CALS) by the State Bar of California, making him one of five active attorneys in California to possess both CALS and CFLS certifications. Boucek is an instrumental part of the firm’s family law appeals practice, and he also works with Antonyan Miranda’s litigation team on dispositive pre-trial and post-judgement motions and trial pleadings. He has significant experience working on a broad range of complex litigation and appellate matters and has represented clients in both federal and state courts.

In order to become a certified specialist, attorneys must “demonstrate a high level of experience in the specialty area by meeting specific task and experience requirements” and complete a minimum of 45 hours of continuing education in the area of specialization. In addition, the attorney must receive favorable evaluations from other attorneys and judges.

“Anthony is an extraordinarily talented attorney whose practice reflects the highest standards of the profession” said Timothy Miranda, Antonyan Miranda Co-Founder. “His specialization certification in both appellate law and family law are a testament to his aptitude, diligence, and desire to serve the best interests of his clients. We are very proud that Anthony is part of the Antonyan Miranda team.”

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda, both Certified Family Law Specialists, merged their individual practices. The firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. Antonyan Miranda specializes in all areas of family law and also provides estate planning and probate litigation services. The firm has received the Best of San Diego award every year since 2019, honoring the firm as San Diego’s top Divorce and Litigation firm. Antonyan Miranda was also named as one of 2019’s Top Workplaces by the San Diego Union Tribune.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Its state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information on the firm, visit www.expertdivorcelaw.com. ###

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ANTONYAN MIRANDA NAMES THREE NEW PARTNERS – JUSTIN PRYBUTOK, CASE KAMSHAD & KATHLEEN JONES RAYA SAN DIEGO (January 5, 2023): San Diego-based family law firm Antonyan Miranda has named three new partners, attorneys Justin Prybutok, Case Kamshad, and Kathleen Jones-Raya, effective January 1, 2023.

Prybutok represents a wide range of clients in all types of family law matters, including contested child custody, domestic violence restraining orders, asset division, and jurisdictional disputes. He also served on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Family Law Bar Association. He is a Certified Family Law Specialist, a distinction earned by less than one percent of California’s active attorneys. He earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. Also a Certified Family Law Specialist, Kamshad practices in all areas of family law, including working on complex case matters such as financial analysis and tracing, cross-border issues, custody and visitation disputes, post-judgment enforcement, and domestic violence restraining orders. In addition to his family law background, Kamshad has experience in civil litigation, bankruptcy law, and patent law, and is a licensed real estate agent. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. Raya is a family law attorney and the Director of Client and Community Relations at Antonyan Miranda. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of client-case relations and community relations on behalf of the firm.

Prior to joining Antonyan Miranda, Raya was a litigation partner in a top-tier, Certified Family Law Specialist firm, where she contemporaneously lectured and taught at local law schools in San Diego. She earned her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. “Justin, Case, and Kathleen are extraordinary lawyers and advocates who truly represent Antonyan Miranda’s core values,” said Ilona Antonyan, Antonyan Miranda Co-Founder. “We are very proud of their work and dedication to the legal profession and our community, and we are thrilled to have each attorney as our partner.”

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda, both Certified Family Law Specialists, merged their individual practices. The firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. Antonyan Miranda specializes in all areas of family law and also provides estate planning and probate litigation services. The firm has received the Best of San Diego award every year since 2019, honoring the firm as San Diego’s top Divorce and Litigation firm. Antonyan Miranda was also named as one of 2019’s Top Workplaces by the San Diego Union Tribune.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Its state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information on the firm, visit www.expertdivorcelaw.com. ###

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CERTIFIED FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST JUSTIN R. PRYBUTOK AWARDED “GOLDEN SLEDGEHAMMER” FOR 2022 SAN DIEGO (December 20, 2022): Certified Family Law Specialist Justin R. Prybutok has been awarded the “Golden Sledgehammer” by San Diego-based law firm Antonyan Miranda. The family law firm’s Golden Sledgehammer is awarded to one attorney annually in recognition of their presence in court and for representing the firm’s key values of strength and tenacity.

In his practice, Prybutok represents a wide range of clients in all types of family law matters, including contested child custody, domestic violence restraining orders, asset division, and jurisdictional disputes.

He previously served on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Family Law Bar Association.

“The Golden Sledgehammer recognizes one of our extraordinary colleagues every year, and is our firm’s highest honor for attorneys,” said Timothy Miranda, Antonyan Miranda Co-Founder. “Justin’s exceptional talent, coupled with his diligence and determination to obtain the best possible result for his clients is truly exceptional. We are proud to have Justin on the Antonyan Miranda team and we are happy to recognize him with this distinct honor.”

Prybutok earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and he was awarded the Faculty Honor Scholarship in each of his three years of law school. During law school, Prybutok gained experience by serving as a law clerk for Nationwide Insurance’s Trial Division and as an intern for the Hon. Joel M. Pressman (Ret.).

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda, both Certified Family Law Specialists, merged their individual practices. The firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. Antonyan Miranda specializes in all areas of family law and also provides estate planning and probate litigation services. The firm received the Best of San Diego award every year since 2019, honoring the firm as San Diego’s top Divorce and Litigation firm. Antonyan Miranda was also named as one of 2019’s Top Workplaces by the San Diego Union Tribune. Antonyan Miranda first began presenting the Golden Sledgehammer award in 2018.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Its state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information on the firm, visit www.expertdivorcelaw.com.

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Antonyan Miranda, LLP Ilona Antonyan, Esq., CFLS Tim Miranda, Esq., CFLS Founding Partners

Powerhouse attorneys Ilona Antonyan and Tim Miranda joined forces in 2015, merging their respective firms to found Antonyan Miranda, LLP. In just a few short years, they swiftly grew to become one of California’s largest family law firms where they handle a wide range of complex cases, from divorce to domestic violence, property division, support, appeals, and estate planning and litigation. “This work is challenging, rewarding and never boring,” says Miranda.

Both found their way into family law from personal experience. As an Armenian refugee, Antonyan always had a desire to help those in need and she found that advocating for parents and children was particularly profound. Miranda was a child of divorce and developed a deep sense of justice from early age. “We have the opportunity to work with great people during the most difficult time of their lives,” Antonyan says. “I love helping people become financially secure and confident in what the future holds, guiding them to recover from the loss of relationships through our professional services, and focusing on the best interests of their children.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM KING

As Certified Family Law Specialists, the best part of their job is the relationships they build with their clients along the way. They’re both fierce litigation trial attorneys who also excel at mediation outside of court. “We’re highly competitive and strive to protect, preserve and secure all that’s important to our clients,” says Miranda.

“We like to win more than we like to sleep. We pride ourselves on never being complacent.”

They’re also deeply committed to the local community. Antonyan Miranda provides nocost family law continuing education courses to the public, as well as to their staff, and they sponsor local charities and legal associations.

They also volunteer attorney time to the court for settlement and arbitration proceedings.

During such trying life events, Antonyan always offers her clients a sense of comfort and security.

Not only does she ensure they receive the best settlement possible, but she also provides muchneeded perspective. “Focus on the outcome,” she says. “Divorce is not an end, but a beginning.”

402 W Broadway, 21st Floor, San Diego, CA 92101 619.696.1100, ExpertDivorceLaw.com

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ANTONYAN MIRANDA PARTNERS ILONA ANTONYAN & TIMOTHY MIRANDA NAMED “POWER PLAYERS”

BY MODERN LUXURY MAGAZINE SAN DIEGO (May 18, 2022): Co-Founders of San Diego-based family law firm Antonyan Miranda Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda have been named “Power Players” by Modern Luxury San Diego magazine.

Antonyan and Miranda, experienced attorneys and Certified Family Law Specialists who both work with highnet-worth clients on a myriad of complex legal issues, will be featured in the magazine’s June San Diego issue along with the other Power Player designees. Modern Luxury has previously said that its Power Players are “influencers in their respective industries, forging a path with deft skill and intellect."

“We love what we do and are passionate about helping members of our community solve their family law disputes as expeditiously and effectively as possible,” said Miranda. “It is an honor to be recognized by Modern Luxury and this designation is a true testament to the hard work and community involvement of our entire firm.”

This is the sixth consecutive year that both Antonyan and Miranda have been recognized by Modern Luxury magazine. Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when Antonyan and Miranda merged their individual practices. The firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. Antonyan Miranda specializes in all areas of family law and also provides estate planning and probate litigation services. The firm received the 2021 Best of San Diego award, honoring the firm as the top Divorce and Litigation firm, and was named one of 2019’s Top Workplaces by the San Diego Union Tribune. The firm and its attorneys have earned several other prestigious honors, including being named as “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars,” and the firm was named the “Best Law Firm” by Modern Luxury in 2021.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Its state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information on the firm, visit www.expertdivorcelaw.com. ###

Left to Right: Timothy Miranda, Ilona Antonyan* Not Pictured: Matthew Kremer*, Sara Yunus**, Justin Prybutok** *Selected to Super Lawyers **Selected to Rising Stars

ANTONYAN MIRANDA, LLP PROTECT YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES ® Divorce and family law can be complex and emotional, but Antonyan Miranda, LLP never shies away from the toughest cases. We excel at them.

While there are no guarantees in life or law, we can promise we always play to win.

Antonyan Miranda is one of the largest family law firms in California, specializing in complex family law litigation, high-net-worth divorce, appeals, contempt, domestic violence, child custody and support, and all other family matters. Our comprehensive approach to family law includes in-house taxation, forensic accountancy and post-

divorce estate planning services. Both founding partners, Ilona Antonyan, CFLS, and Timothy Miranda, CFLS, are litigation trial attorneys and certified family law specialists by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. The firm strives to aggressively preserve, protect and secure all that is important to its clients.

Our legal team is comprised of certified family law specialists, Avvo Superb and Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rated attorneys, San Diego County Top Attorneys, San Diego Magazine’s Top Lawyers, law professors, trial attorneys and family

law settlement judges. Our attorney staff is fluent in Spanish, Russian and Farsi and represents clients in all San Diego courthouses. We are legal problem solvers with diverse cultural backgrounds and significant professional accomplishments, who understand the needs of each case and have the knowledge, determination, resources and experience to get the job done.

Whether cases are contentious or complex, Antonyan Miranda serves its clients with professional, personalized attention—be it aggressive litigation or comprehensive mediation.

402 W. Broadway, 21st FL., San Diego, CA 92101 | 619.696.1100 | ExpertDivorceLaw.com SUPER LAWYERS SAN DIEGO 2022

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ANTONYAN MIRANDA ATTORNEYS ILONA ANTONYAN & MATTHEW KREMER NAMED SUPER LAWYERS® Attorneys Sara Yunus and Justin Prybutok Named “Rising Stars” SAN DIEGO (March 31, 2022): Antonyan Miranda Co-Founder Ilona Antonyan and Special Counsel Matthew Kremer have been recognized by Thomson Reuters as Super Lawyers®. Thomson Reuters has also recognized Antonyan Miranda Partner Sara Yunus and Senior Associate Attorney Justin Prybutok as “Rising Stars.”

Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are named as Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. “Rising Stars” are lawyers that are 40 years old or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state are named as Rising Stars each year.

“This is a wonderful honor, and I am proud to be named as a Super Lawyer, along with Matthew Kremer,” said Antonyan. “We are fortunate to have such talented attorneys at Antonyan Miranda, and I congratulate Sara and Justin on their well-deserved recognition as Rising Stars.”

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda, both Certified Family Law Specialists, merged their individual practices. The firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. Antonyan Miranda specializes in all areas of family law and also provides estate planning and probate litigation services. The firm received the 2021 Best of San Diego award, honoring the firm as the top Divorce and Litigation firm, and was named one of 2019’s Top Workplaces by the San Diego Union Tribune.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Its state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information on the firm, visit www.expertdivorcelaw.com. ###

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ANTONYAN MIRANDA NAMED “BEST OF THE CITY” IN FAMILY LAW BY MODERN LUXURY MAGAZINE SAN DIEGO (July 20, 2022): San Diego-based family law firm Antonyan Miranda has been named “Best of the City” in Family Law by Modern Luxury San Diego magazine and will be featured in the July/August issue of the magazine.

Antonyan Miranda works with high-net-worth clients on myriad complex family law issues. The firm was formed in 2015 when attorneys Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda, both Certified Family Law Specialists, merged their individual practices. Antonyan Miranda has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. The firm specializes in all areas of family law and also provides estate planning and probate litigation services.

“We are passionate about what we do, and we are privileged to be able to work with individuals and families across San Diego,” said Antonyan. “This is a wonderful honor and a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Antonyan Miranda team.”

This is the second consecutive year the firm has been recognized by Modern Luxury magazine in the feature, which was previously known as the “Best of San Diego.” Modern Luxury’s “Best of The City” is focused on “uncovering the most luxurious products and services from coast to coast” and will “showcase everything the most discerning consumers need to know in each of our communities.”

Antonyan Miranda has been named San Diego’s Best Family Law and Litigation Firms by the San Diego Union Tribune for the last three years. The firm and its attorneys have earned a variety of other prestigious honors, including being named as “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars.”

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Its state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information on the firm, visit www.expertdivorcelaw.com. ###

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ANTONYAN MIRANDA NAMES FOUR NEW PARTNERS - CERTIFIED FAMILY LAW SPECIALISTS NAGHMEH BASHAR, ANDREW ROSENBERRY, CARLOS TAVARES & SARA YUNUS SAN DIEGO (January 3, 2022): San Diego-based family law firm Antonyan Miranda has named four new partners – attorneys Naghmeh Bashar, Andrew Rosenberry, Carlos Tavares and Sara Yunus, effective January 1, 2022. All four attorneys are Certified Family Law Specialists, a distinction earned by less than one percent of California’s active attorneys.

Naghmeh Bashar has significant experience in family law, but also has transactional and civil litigation experience, representing corporate entities in contractual and financial matters both domestically and abroad. Bashar is a voting Board Member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists and the Executive Editor of its quarterly published newsletter, The Specialist. From 2009 to 2011, she served as Chair of the San Diego County Regional Standing Committee, providing legislation review and analysis, including review of the Elkins Task Force Committee’s 2009 recommendations for family law. In 2019, she began another term as the Chair of the San Diego County Regional Standing Committee.

Andrew Rosenberry has nearly thirty years of experience in complex civil and family law litigation and has served as a Judge Pro Tem for the San Diego Superior Court, Family Law Division. He attended Gettysburg College and Penn State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science prior to earning his law degree from California Western School of Law. He has been practicing family law at Antonyan Miranda since 2017 and is the winner of the firm’s 2021 Golden Sledgehammer Award, presented annually to an attorney of Antonyan Miranda who has proven their presence in court, representing AM's key values of strength and tenacity.

Carlos Tavares, who serves as Antonyan Miranda’s Managing Attorney, has been practicing family law for nearly two decades. He is particularly skilled at working on complex and high-net-worth matters such as financial analysis and tracing, custody and visitation disputes, contempt and post-judgment enforcement, and domestic violence restraining orders. Tavares also has significant experience working with military families and has an extensive understanding of issues impacting military families including pensions, survivor benefit plans, and the Lautenberg Act. He has served a guest lecturer at the Marine Corps Installations West Legal Assistance Conference and is a regular guest instructor for the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and other military units. Tavares is the recipient of the firm’s 2019 Golden Sledgehammer Award.

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ANDREW ROSENBERRY AWARDED ANTONYAN MIRANDA’s “GOLDEN SLEDGEHAMMER” FOR 2021 SAN DIEGO (December 23, 2021): Attorney Andrew Rosenberry has been awarded the “Golden Sledgehammer Award” from San Diego-based law firm Antonyan Miranda. The annual award recognizes one Antonyan Miranda attorney who has proven their presence in court, representing AM's key values of strength and tenacity.

Rosenberry is a Certified Family Law Specialist and has nearly thirty years of experience in complex civil and family law litigation and has served as a Judge Pro Tem for the San Diego Superior Court, Family Law Division. He attended Gettysburg College and Penn State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science prior to earning his law degree from California Western School of Law. He has been practicing family law at Antonyan Miranda since 2017.

“The Golden Sledgehammer is our firm’s biggest honor,” said Ilona Antonyan, Antonyan Miranda Co-Founder. “Andrew is a talented attorney who works hard on behalf of his clients and who also embodies our firm’s key values. This award is a well-deserved recognition of his diligence and dedication to his clients and our firm.”

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda, both Certified Family Law Specialists, merged their individual practices. The firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. Antonyan Miranda specializes in all areas of family law and also provides estate planning and probate litigation services. The firm received the 2021 Best of San Diego award, honoring the firm as the top Divorce and Litigation firm, and was named one of 2019’s Top Workplaces by the San Diego Union Tribune. Antonyan Miranda first began presenting the Golden Sledgehammer Award in 2018.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Its state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information on the firm, visit www.expertdivorcelaw.com. ###

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PROMINENT SAN DIEGO FAMILY LAW ANTONYAN MIRANDA CELEBRATES 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Law Firm Triples in Size Since 2015 SAN DIEGO (September 1, 2020): San Diego-based family law firm Antonyan Miranda is celebrating its first major milestone, the firm’s fifth anniversary.

Founded in 2015 by Certified Family Law Specialists Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda, the firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. The firm handles complex family law matters, and also now provides estate planning and probate litigation services.

The Antonyan Miranda team is comprised of Certified Family Law Specialists and other attorneys who have been recognized locally and nationally as some of the best in the country and represents clients in all phases of family law litigation and appeals.

“When we decided to merge our individual practices, we had hoped that we would be able to help more families in San Diego in need of legal services,” said Antonyan. “Our growth and success is a testament to the outstanding attorneys and staff that comprise Antonyan Miranda, and we know together, the firm will continue to expand and evolve.”

In addition to the firm’s rapid growth, other recent accomplishments include establishing a lower cost division, AM EZ, earlier this year and launching the firm’s own non-profit foundation. The Antonyan Miranda Foundation aims to provide support and resources to help children and young adults who are experiencing adversity to succeed in life. Antonyan Miranda also gives back by sponsoring myriad events in the legal community and offers 3 diversity scholarships to law school students each year.

“This is a great milestone for our firm,” said Miranda. “Since our inception, we’ve worked hard to ensure that troubled families are able to move forward and begin the next chapter in their lives. I am confident that Antonyan Miranda will continue to thrive and serve even more families in need for many years to come.”

The firm received the 2020 Best of San Diego award, honoring the firm as the top Divorce and Litigation firm, and was named one of 2019’s Top Workplaces by the San Diego Union Tribune. The firm’s attorneys have also earned a variety of awards and recognitions locally and nationally.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Its state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information on Antonyan Miranda, visit www.ExpertDivorceLaw.com. ###

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Media Contact: Karen Korr for Antonyan Miranda karen@fullkorrpress.com (619) 944-0650 (cell)

ANTONYAN MIRANDA DIVORCE CALCULATOR™ LETS USERS ESTIMATE CHILD AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS SAN DIEGO (May 18, 2020): San Diego-based family law firm Antonyan Miranda has relaunched its Divorce Calculator™, a free tool that helps parties in family law proceedings estimate child and spousal support rights and obligations.

Antonyan Miranda’s Divorce Calculator TM is similar to the “guideline” formula utilized by the Family Courts in California. It can be found on the firm’s website at www.ExpertDivorceLaw.com/divorcecalculator and is free of charge to anyone who wants to use it, regardless of whether you are a client of the firm.

“The Divorce Calculator™ has historically been a popular addition to our website, allowing users to obtain a free estimate of child and spousal support calculations based upon their input criteria. While this is not a substitute for obtaining a comprehensive support analysis from a qualified family law attorney, it is certainly an easy and useful first step,” said Timothy Miranda, Antonyan Miranda Cofounder. “We relaunched the calculator to ensure that its computations factored in the most current laws and the right formulas for assessing child and spousal support.”

The Divorce Calculator™ was re-launched after revisions were made to consider the taxable treatment of spousal support pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which affects spousal support orders and judgments entered after December 31, 2018. The previous version of the Calculator had been a staple of the firm’s website since 2015. It is intended to serve as a tool for those considering divorce are in the process of a divorce and use of the Divorce Calculator™ does not imply any sort of attorney-client relationship.

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when attorneys Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda merged their individual practices, and the firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. The firm specializes in all areas of family law, and also provides trust & estate services and probate litigation. The firm recently received the 2019 Best of San Diego award, honoring Antonyan Miranda as the top Divorce and Litigation firm, and was named one of 2019’s Top Workplaces by the San Diego Union Tribune.

The firm prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Antonyan Miranda’s state-of-the art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information, including career opportunities for lawyers and other legal professionals at Antonyan Miranda, visit www.

ExpertDivorceLaw.com. ###

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Media Contact: Karen Korr for Antonyan Miranda karen@fullkorrpress.com (619) 944-0650 (cell)

ANTONYAN MIRANDA STRENGTHENS TRUST AND ESTATES PRACTICE WITH ADDITION OF JOHN MELVIN SAN DIEGO (May 14, 2020): San Diego-based law firm Antonyan Miranda is proud to welcome established trust and estates litigation attorney John Melvin.

Melvin began his career as a business litigator and has since honed his practice to focus exclusively on high-value trusts and estates litigation. Earlier in his career, Melvin served as general counsel for several well-established companies and represented clients in a wide variety of multimillion-dollar real estate and business litigation matters. This background gives Melvin unique knowledge that informs his work on behalf of clients with complex estates and trusts, particularly when their most significant assets and risk profile involve real estate holdings and business investments.

“John is an exceptional attorney and he brings a wealth of knowledge to Antonyan Miranda’s trusts and estates litigation practice,” said Ilona Antonyan, Antonyan Miranda Co-Founder. “As our trusts and estates practice and our firm continue to grow, we know that John will contribute to our strength and provide outstanding counsel to our clients.”

Melvin began practicing law in 2002 after earning his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where he served as an Editor on Law Review and was elected Chief Justice of the Student Court. He was also a visiting student at the University of San Diego School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree with honors from Emory University.

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when attorneys Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda merged their individual practices, and the firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. The firm specializes in all areas of family law, and also provides trust & estate service and probate litigation. The firm recently received the 2019 Best of San Diego award, honoring Antonyan Miranda as the top Divorce and Litigation firm, and was named one of 2019’s Top Workplaces by the San Diego Union Tribune.

The firm prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. Antonyan Miranda’s state-of-theart headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information, including career opportunities for lawyers and other legal professionals at Antonyan Miranda, visit www.ExpertDivorceLaw.com. ###

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Media Contact: Karen Korr for Antonyan Miranda karen@fullkorrpress.com (619) 944-0650 (cell)

ANTONYAN MIRANDA NAMED ONE OF SAN DIEGO’s “TOP WORKPLACES” BY SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE SAN DIEGO (November 18, 2019): Antonyan Miranda was recently recognized as one of San Diego’s Top Workplaces for 2019 by the San Diego Union Tribune.

Antonyan Miranda was one of only 85 companies in San Diego distinguished by the newspaper’s annual list of top workplaces, which included a total of only four law firms. The San Diego Union Tribune partners with a research company to assess and evaluate companies with over 50 employees across all industries throughout San Diego County. Employee surveys are primarily used to determine which companies make the list, with 35% employee participation in the survey process required for consideration.

“Antonyan Miranda is a family law firm that takes pride in our employees and our AM Fam spirit,” said Ilona Antonyan, Antonyan Miranda Co-Founder. “Our firm culture is an integral part of our identity.

While our business is very serious, we ensure that we take care of our team, and take the time to celebrate one another and our professional and personal accomplishments.”

In addition to medical, dental, 401k and other traditional employee benefits, Antonyan Miranda offers its team free high-level continuing legal education courses and opportunities to attend conferences, seminars, and other educational programming that fosters professional development and growth.

Antonyan Miranda hosts corporate yoga classes, monthly lunches, employee recognition gatherings, happy hours, mixers, and other networking events. The firm also provides access to myriad resources and community service opportunities, in addition to a highly competitive and comprehensive salary and benefits package for all employees.

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when attorneys Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda merged their individual practices and the firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. The firm specializes in all areas of family law, and also provides trust & estate services and probate litigation. The firm also received the 2019 Best of San Diego award, honoring Antonyan Miranda as the top Divorce and Litigation firm.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. The firm’s state-of-theart headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information, including career opportunities for lawyers and other legal professionals at Antonyan Miranda, visit www.ExpertDivorceLaw.com/careers

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Media Contact: Karen Korr for Antonyan Miranda karen@fullkorrpress.com (619) 944-0650 (cell)

ILONA ANTONYAN NAMED ONE OF SAN DIEGO’s “40 UNDER 40” BUSINESS LEADERS SAN DIEGO (October 22, 2019): Attorney Ilona Antonyan, Antonyan Miranda Co-Founder, was named to San Diego Metro magazine’s 2019 “40 Under 40” list. She was recognized at an event celebrating and honoring San Diego’s top 40 business leaders under 40 years of age hosted by the publication on October 1st.

Antonyan is one of San Diego’s top family law attorneys. An Armenian refugee, Antonyan immigrated to the United States in 1992 and has earned a reputation for her strategic, aggressive and effective advocacy on behalf of her clients. Antonyan is considered a trailblazer in the legal world, as she is the youngest person in California to become a Certified Family Law Specialist, a special designation from the State Bar of California. In addition to holding a law degree, Antonyan is a licensed real estate broker and she also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Family Law at California Western School of Law. Service to the community is important to Antonyan, who volunteers as a Judge Pro Tem in both the Family Law and Small Claims divisions of the San Diego Superior Court. Earlier this year, Antonyan Miranda launched its own charitable foundation to provide support and resources to help children and young adults, particularly refugees and individuals who have been impacted by divorce or have otherwise experienced adversity. The firm also gifts scholarships annually to law students who are passionate about practicing family law at the University of San Diego School of Law and Antonyan’s alma matter, California Western School of Law. “We are fortunate to have such diverse and talented young business leaders in San Diego,” said Ilona Antonyan. “I’m honored to be recognized by San Diego Metro magazine, and I congratulate my fellow ‘40 under 40’ awardees. I know that our paths will continue to cross as our careers and leadership in San Diego continues to progress.”

San Diego Metro magazine solicits nominations throughout the year for its annual “40 under 40” list and a panel of veteran San Diego business leaders select the finalists. This year’s feature was published in the October issue of San Diego Metro magazine, and can be found online at www.sandiegometro.com.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. The firm’s state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information, visit www.ExpertDivorceLaw.com. ###

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Media Contact: Karen Korr for Antonyan Miranda karen@fullkorrpress.com (619) 944-0650 (cell)

ANTONYAN MIRANDA “BEST” DIVORCE AND LITIGATION FIRM ACCORDING TO UNION-TRIBUNE READERS SAN DIEGO (October 22, 2019): Antonyan Miranda was named “best litigation firm” and “best divorce attorney” in the 2019 San Diego Union Tribune’s (U-T) San Diego’s Best Annual Readers Poll.

Now in its twenty-third year, the San Diego’s Best Readers Poll is “designed to reflect the voting of our audience,” with all votes cast by individuals throughout San Diego and verified by the U-T. Only one organization is selected as the “best” in each category, and the results are solely based on votes.

Antonyan Miranda was named “best” in 2 out of 5 categories related to legal services.

“This is an exceptional honor,” said Timothy Miranda, Antonyan Miranda Co-Founder. “We work hard to have an impact on individuals and families in our community and beyond. While it is nice to be acknowledged among legal professionals, this recognition is so meaningful for the team at Antonyan Miranda as it is voted on by the people we serve.”

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when attorneys Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda merged their individual practices and the firm has since grown to become one of California’s largest family law firms. The firm specializes in all areas of family law, and likewise provides trust and estates litigation.

“Thank you to all of the U-T readers who voted in this year’s poll for selecting Antonyan Miranda. We are honored to be a part of such a vibrant legal and business community, and we look forward to serving San Diego for many years to come,” added Miranda.

Antonyan Miranda prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. The firm’s state-of-theart headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information, visit www.ExpertDivorceLaw.com.

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Media Contact: Karen Korr Full Korr Press for Antonyan Miranda karen@fullkorrpress.com (619) 944-0650 (cell)

ANTONYAN MIRANDA FURTHER EXPANDS PRACTICE WITH ADDITION OF ATTORNEY JUSTIN PRYBUTOK SAN DIEGO (May 13, 2019): San Diego-based law firm Antonyan Miranda will further expand its family law practice with the addition of attorney Justin Prybutok, who will join the firm on May 15.

Prybutok's experience includes handling complex family law matters including contested child custody, domestic violence restraining orders, asset division, and jurisdictional disputes. He earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2015, graduating in the top one-third of his class. While in law school, Prybutok interned for the Hon. Joel M. Pressman (Ret.), served as the President of the Health Law Society, and was awarded a Faculty Honor Scholarship every year. He earned his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Michigan.

Prybutok currently serves on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Family Law Bar Association, and often moderates the organization’s continuing legal education seminars. At Antonyan Miranda, he will continue to handle myriad family law matters and intends to continue to give back to the legal community by volunteering through different organizations.

"Justin will be a great asset to Antonyan Miranda and our clients," said Ilona Antonyan, one of Antonyan Miranda's Founding Partners. "He is a talented, smart, and well-respected attorney, with a great potential to grow with Antonyan Miranda as the firm continues to expand in the coming years."

Antonyan Miranda was formed in 2015 when attorneys Ilona Antonyan and Timothy Miranda merged their practices, and the firm has since grown to become one of California's largest and fastest growing family law firms.

"Antonyan Miranda is a strong firm, with a reputation for hard work, quality work product and achieving favorable results for their clients" said Prybutok. "I look forward to joining the firm's dynamic team, and further helping San Diego families in need."

Prybutok's hire closely follows the firm's recent acquisition of San Diego law firm Bowman Law, and the addition of Garry Bowman as Special Counsel in the firm's Trusts and Estates division. As Antonyan Miranda continues to expand its operations, the firm is looking to hire talented family law attorneys across the state.

Antonyan Miranda firm prides itself on its zealous advocacy on behalf of its clients. The firm’s state-of-the-art headquarters are located in downtown San Diego. For more information, visit www.ExpertDivorceLaw.com ###