Attorney at Law Magazine Los Angeles Sarah Torres sat down with Arash Beral to discuss what he finds most rewarding about being an attorney.
AALM: When did you first know you wanted to become an attorney? What drew you to this career?
Beral: I think my mom had me slated to become a lawyer or doctor even when I was in the womb. But choosing to become an attorney was more than a make-Mom-happy decision. I was particularly drawn to the profession because I knew that it would be the most challenging, yet rewarding choice for me.
AALM: What do you find particularly rewarding about your practice?
Beral: I was 22 when I graduated from law school. I can’t think of too many professions where a young guy like me would be treated equally and would garner the same level of respect as his older colleagues and counterparts. That was rewarding to me then. I’m 31 now and the most rewarding aspect of my job is when clients (existing and new) specifically seek out my advice and counsel on items that are super important to them. It’s quite redeeming for me to be the go-to person for my clients.
AALM: What do you find particularly challenging about your practice? How do you overcome these challenges?
Beral: As rewarding and fun as it is to be a litigator, the truth is that litigation is fact-intensive, deadline-driven and stressful. It oftentimes takes over our lives to the point where we feel we can never take time off or enjoy a vacation. Case in point: I have not yet taken a single extended vacation in my career and of the short mini-weekend getaways I’ve been on, work is always on my mind. Experienced litigators understand how to manage their work and life, and to maintain a healthy balance. I’m still working on getting there.
AALM: What accomplishment are you most proud of achieving?
Beral: Getting my now-wife, then-girlfriend to say “yes” and then marrying her February 14, her birthday. Valentine’s Day at my house is now and will forever be remembered as a Birtha-Vale- Versary. Perhaps I should trademark that.
AALM: What experiences have taught you the most?
Beral: I heard a judge once say, “If a case goes to trial, that means at least one of the lawyers on the case was not very good.” I’ve learned over the course of my career that the most effective litigators are those who can reasonably work with their counterparts to resolve disputes. The needlessly aggressive litigators hardly ever “win.”
AALM: What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Hobbies? Sports?
Beral: I love playing and coaching basketball. I help coach in a nonprofit youth basketball league. Last year our sixth and seventh grade boys team made it to the finals, but we lost in the championship game. I still can’t get over that.
AALM: What events are you most looking forward to in the coming year?
Beral: My honeymoon in November! My wife and I got married in February but we have not yet had the opportunity to go on our honeymoon due to my demanding schedule. We just recently booked it and I, for one, can’t wait to get away for about a week in French Polynesia. What makes it even sweeter is that this is going to be my first real extended vacation ever in my life. Sad, but true.
