But his journey isn’t confined to courtrooms and legal briefs – it’s infused with the camaraderie of the wrestling mat, where he honed many of his interpersonal skills including leadership, grit, collaboration and his dedication to represent those marginalized and mistreated.
After losing his father to a terminal illness the summer before his senior year of high school, Shirian was determined to do whatever it takes to build a bright future. He attended New York University where he continued wrestling. And, while attending New York Law School, he scheduled his classes so he could work in the legal industry and serve as the head wrestling coach for a private high school.
“The lesson I learned while serving as head coach was that true success is helping other people succeed. These kids really looked up to me and that had a powerful effect,” Shirian says. “Before this coaching experience, I was pretty self-absorbed and attached a lot emotion to results. My identity was attached to what I did, what I said, etc. I came to realize that with everything you do, there has to be an underlying intention for good and everything else flows from that. And that applies to practicing law and serving your clients.”
Shirian embodies a brand of legal advocacy that transcends mere practice – it’s a commitment to justice, empathy, and the resilience of the human spirit.
“I’ve made my career as a litigator starting my law firm in 2016 when I was 29 years old. I had $15,000 to my name, but I sincerely believed that I could practice differently and provide a better service than what I’d seen around me.”
At Mark David Shirian P.C. Attorneys at Law, the pledge to “make things right for people who have been wronged” is not a promo, but a sincere promise. It’s integral to his character and the foundation for his firm.
While Shirian aggressively advocates for individuals facing adverse circumstances, he holds a special sensitivity toward female victims, a trait deeply rooted in his own upbringing. His mother’s struggles, exacerbated by the loss of his father, have shaped his profound empathy toward women in need.
“My mother did her best to raise three children on her own,” he says. “Suddenly a single mother who had to now support the family, I know it was a terrific challenge for her in many ways. Watching her really inspired me to advocate for women’s rights in the workplace because women are always juggling so many things. They need support.
“One of my first clients made a comment that brought this home,” he adds. “She said, ‘Treat me, advise me like I was a family member.’ That really resonated with me and it’s always been a basic principle at our firm. I strive to treat my clients as if they were a family member. I believe the diligence and time we put forth with each client demonstrates that we adhere to that philosophy.”
Several other indicators underscore the paramount importance of strong relationships and family to this young attorney.
