Meet Nina Shayan Depatie, the vanguard of a new generation of attorneys, challenging and reshaping the landscape of family law. In a profession often defined by tradition, Depatie, founder and principal attorney of Shayan Family Law, APC, brings a fresh, dynamic perspective that transcends the courtroom walls.
Recognized as belonging among the best in her field by her peers as well as by leading business publications, Depatie is a home-grown product of sunny Southern California whose lifelong dedication to assisting others steered her, first, toward a degree in psychology. She expresses her fondness for people, stating, “I love getting to know people, understanding them, and psychology seemed like a natural avenue to explore that.”
Enrolling at the University of California, Santa Cruz turned out to be serendipitous for Depatie, providing a fortuitous blend of crossover studies. This unique academic environment allowed her to intertwine her passion for understanding the intricacies of human nature with courses that would eventually equip her to assist individuals facing life’s most formidable challenges.
“They offered a lot of programs that overlapped with the law,” she says. “The one that really appealed to me was anthropology and the law. Each class delved into how different communities form different types of laws based on what’s important to them. For example, in certain communities or cultures, apologies carry more weight, while in others punishment or restitution are prioritized.
Building off this experience, Depatie delved deeper into legal courses, specifically those centering on the dynamics of human interaction in society. At the same time, Depatie dedicated herself to public service, contributing to the major crimes unit at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office and volunteering with the Domestic Abuse Self Help (DASH) offices across various courthouses in Los Angeles County. It was during this period that she not only realized her aspiration to become an attorney but also identified her desire to specialize in family law.
Graduating with a double major in legal studies and psychology, Depatie eagerly embarked on the next chapter of her educational journey at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Not venturing too far from her roots, Depatie says it was no coincidence that she opted for Pepperdine.
“It was important to me to stay in L.A. because I have a community here, my family lives here, and I wanted to continue to build and grow my relationships here,” she says. “I place great importance and value on relationships. That’s something that Pepperdine really emphasized, and that resonated with me.”
