Larissa Donikian
Granada Hills
Summary
California attorney specializing in assisted reproductive technology law, with extensive expertise in drafting and negotiating agreements for surrogacy, egg donation, sperm donation, and embryo donation. Provides comprehensive legal guidance to intended parents, gestational carriers, and donors, addressing critical legal, ethical, and risk considerations inherent in complex family-building arrangements. A unique blend of transactional precision and robust client counseling enhances negotiation outcomes. Committed to fostering positive relationships while navigating the intricacies of reproductive law to achieve client goals.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Attorney, Assisted Reproduction Law
VORZIMER MASSERMAN – FERTILITY & FAMILY LAW CENTER
Woodland Hills, CA
01.2022 - Current
- Draft and negotiate complex assisted reproductive technology agreements, including gestational surrogacy, egg donation, sperm donation, and embryo donation contracts.
- Represent intended parents, gestational carriers, and donors in highly sensitive family-building arrangements involving multiple parties, fertility clinics, and agencies.
- Counsel clients through legal, ethical, and logistical considerations of assisted reproduction, including parentage, confidentiality, compensation structures, and risk allocation.
- Negotiate contract terms with opposing counsel to address issues such as embryo disposition, medical decision-making authority, insurance coverage, and liability protections.
- Review gestational carrier insurance policies to assess surrogacy compatibility and advise clients regarding potential coverage risks.
- Draft related agreements including powers of attorney, guardianship documents, and confidentiality agreements to support assisted reproduction arrangements.
Owner, Pre-litigation
DONIKIAN LAW, APC
Los Angeles, CA
04.2021 - 01.2022
- Founded and managed a solo legal practice handling pre-litigation matters including tenant disputes, debt recovery, and civil claims.
- Drafted demand letters and negotiated settlements in consumer and landlord-tenant disputes.
- Represented clients in claims involving security deposit recovery and wrongful arrest allegations against municipal entities.
- Developed and launched the firm’s website and client intake infrastructure using Squarespace.
Litigation Associate
LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH, LLP
Los Angeles, CA
10.2019 - 07.2020
- Represented insurance carriers and insured clients in general liability defense matters including premises liability and motor vehicle accident claims.
- Drafted pleadings, motions, and discovery responses including demurrers, motions to strike, and motions to compel.
- Evaluated claims and prepared litigation reports analyzing liability exposure and settlement value for insurance clients.
- Reviewed medical records, police reports, and expert materials to assess damages and liability.
Law Clerk, Full time
BENSON LEGAL, APC
Encino, CA
06.2018 - 12.2018
- Drafted discovery responses for form interrogatories, requests for admissions, and requests for productions for subrogation claims
- Reviewed police reports and witness statements
- Drafted declarations to be reviewed and signed by clients and witnesses
- Communicated with clients and witnesses to collect information and revise declarations
- Prepared applications for default judgments
- Reviewed and analyzed exhibits for inclusion in applications for default judgments
Legal Representative
PRO SE MEDIATION ADVOCACY CLINIC, LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL
Los Angeles, CA
01.2018 - 06.2018
Law Clerk
LOS ANGELES DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Van Nuys, CA
08.2017 - 12.2017
Legal Representative, Part time
SALES AND USE TAX CLINIC, LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL
Los Angeles, CA
06.2017 - 08.2017
Education
J.D. -
LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL
Los Angeles, CA05-2019
B.A. - Dual Major in History and Political Science
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Irvine, CA06-2015
Skills
- Assisted reproduction law
- Client communication
- Contract drafting
- Client counseling
- Breach of contract
Certification
California, November 2019
SBN: 327151
LANGUAGES
Western Armenian
Native or Bilingual
Turkish
Limited Working
Interests
Pilates, Side hustle of custom diamond & gold jewelry
Timeline
Associate Attorney, Assisted Reproduction Law
VORZIMER MASSERMAN – FERTILITY & FAMILY LAW CENTER
01.2022 - Current
Owner, Pre-litigation
DONIKIAN LAW, APC
04.2021 - 01.2022
Litigation Associate
LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH, LLP
10.2019 - 07.2020
Law Clerk, Full time
BENSON LEGAL, APC
06.2018 - 12.2018
Legal Representative
PRO SE MEDIATION ADVOCACY CLINIC, LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL
01.2018 - 06.2018
Law Clerk
LOS ANGELES DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
08.2017 - 12.2017
Legal Representative, Part time
SALES AND USE TAX CLINIC, LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL
06.2017 - 08.2017
J.D. -
LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL
B.A. - Dual Major in History and Political Science
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Philanthropy
Focus on Children Now (2011 – 2017)