Your Defense. Our Priority.
Now in our fifth decade of practice, the Law Offices of Heywood G. Friedman is California’s premier statewide law firm specializing in the defense of workers’ compensation, liability, and employment claims.
Attorneys
Our team of expert attorneys and support staff are ready to collaborate with you to find positive solutions to your legal concerns. We care about our clients and our community, and will work tirelessly to achieve exceptional results for you.
Heywood G. Friedman, Esq.
Yan Falkinstein, Esq. MBA
Marla B. Shah, Esq.
Sheena Ghassemi, Esq.
Maureen T. Blair, Esq.
Arman Shirinian, Esq.
Vicki Rubin-Howton, Esq.
Rebecca Breitburg, Esq.
Deborah Park, Esq.
Micah Robinson, Esq.
News & Events
Stay up to date on our latest articles, blog posts, and what we are doing to serve and bring positive change to our community.
Marla Shah Named as Partner
The Law Offices of Heywood G. Friedman, a leading California defense firm, proudly announces the elevation of Marla Shah to Partner. Marla, who has been a valued member of this firm since 2015, has over 15…
Sheena Ghassemi Named as Partner
The Law Offices of Heywood G. Friedman, a leading California defense firm, proudly announces the elevation of Sheena Ghassemi to Partner. Sheena, who has been an attorney with this firm since 2021, specializes in defending employers,…
Yan Falkinstein Named as Partner
The Law Offices of Heywood G. Friedman, a leading California defense firm, proudly announces the elevation of Yan Falkinstein to Partner. Yan, who has served as Managing Attorney of this firm’s Workers’ Compensation Practice since 2025,…
The Law Offices of Heywood G. Friedman Welcomes New Managing Attorney to Lead Workers’ Compensation Practice
The Law Offices of Heywood G. Friedman is pleased to announce that Yan Falkinstein, Esq. MBA has joined the firm as Managing Attorney of its Workers’ Compensation Practice. With nearly 13 years’ experience as a workers’…
Announcement of Firm Name Change
We’re excited to share an important update: The Law Firm of Friedman + Bartoumian is now The Law Offices of Heywood G. Friedman. Many of you will recognize this as our firm’s original name from our…
About the Law Offices of Heywood G. Friedman
The Law Offices of Heywood G. Friedman specializes in the defense of claims for workers’ compensation benefits. We provide representation through and to insurers, third-party claim administrators, and self-insured employers. We continuously challenge ourselves to achieve the most expedient claim resolutions, reductions to legal costs and protections against future legal risks for our clients. We use best-in-class practices and tools, and value a collaborative approach with our clients. Recognition of applicant and vendor fraud is a high priority. We aggressively litigate liens through our dedicated in-house team known as the “Lien Machine.”
Our clients encompass a wide range of employers and industries, with emphasis in the fields of healthcare, hospitality, construction, transportation, staffing and public agencies. Our attorneys appear daily at all venues of the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. We are recognized by the judiciary, opposing attorneys and other stakeholders as having deep, substantive legal knowledge, sharp analytical abilities and excellent trial skills. Read more
Honored By Ventura County
The Board of Supervisors for the County of Ventura has bestowed honors on our founder, Heywood G. Friedman, and The Law Offices of Heywood G. Friedman in recognition of our decades of service to the community and pro bono legal work. Examples of such service include sponsorship of academic, athletic, and arts programs at Conejo Valley schools and volunteer legal services to numerous churches, synagogues, charitable institutions, and non-profit organizations.
Testimonials
“Heywood takes the time to meet with us to get a clear understanding of what our goals are. Currently focusing on closing aged and difficult claims while aggressively closing new claims in the door. He gets it and is a great partner in achieving our aggressive goals.” – Martin King, Kaiser Permanente
“We have had the pleasure of retaining Mr. Friedman’s firm for a number of years and for various actions. Heywood is a skilled and knowledgeable counselor who appreciates the time certain aspects of legal action. We will continue to use his firm for most of our CA legal work.” – Jeff Bogacki, Vice President, Excess Workers Compensation – 5Star Specialty
“Besides being a great attorney, ‘Woody’ is a better person, friend, humanitarian. And when times get tough, he has your back!” – Robert Rice, Sargeant Insurance Agency, LLC
We are widely known for our…
Substantive Legal Knowledge
Strong Analytical Abilities
Expert Trial Skills
Efficient Case Management
Unparalleled Client Service