Profile
Zagros “Zag” Bassirian primarily focuses on corporate and commercial litigation, and his clients include local, state, national and international businesses of all sizes operating in numerous sectors, including real estate, banking and financial services, hospitality, restaurant, manufacturing, janitorial and facilities services, property management, and aviation.
Zag handles complex business disputes in state and federal courts, addressing issues such as landlord-tenant conflicts, real estate transactions, shareholder disputes, corporate governance, contract disagreements, fraud, intellectual property matters, trade secret misappropriation, unfair business practices, defamation, defense of Americans with Disability Act (ADA) claims, and defense of class action Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) claims.
As a litigator, Zag is a problem solver. He serves his clients by developing a true understanding of their businesses, provides advice to minimize litigation risks and strengthen positions before and after lawsuits are filed, and assembles teams across numerous practice areas to help clients pursue their goals.
Concentrations
- Commercial litigation
- Fiduciary litigation
- Mergers and acquisitions disputes
- Real estate litigation
Capabilities
Experience
- Represented CEO in a corporate takeover action by founding Obtained preliminary injunction securing the CEO’s status and seat on the Board of Directors, prevailed in Corporation’s Code § 709 proceeding, prevailed on attorneys’ fees motion, and secured judgment in CEO’s favor.°
- Defended corporation in breach of contract action filed by independent contractor seeking $1.6 million in damages. After a two-day arbitration the arbitrator awarded only $54,000.°
- Defended publicly traded company and related personnel against former CEO’s claims for fraud, breach of contract, and additional claims seeking $19.5 million in damages. An early and aggressive approach resulted in a settlement valued at roughly $72,500.°
- Defended international boat manufacturer against claims asserted pursuant to the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Secured a settlement.°
- Defended a company and CEO against claims of harassment made by an employee. Secured pre-litigation settlement.°
- Defended a law firm against claims by a former partner alleging buyout was inappropriately calculated. Secured a settlement.°
- Defended a large mortgage broker in a class action alleging violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Secured a settlement.°
- Assisted in obtaining a settlement for plaintiffs in a personal injury trucking case exceeding $8 million.°
- Assisted in obtaining a multimillion-dollar settlement for a surviving mother and daughter in a wrongful death case involving a dump trailer.°
- Assisted in defending a real estate developer against allegations of fraudulent transfer and other tort claims seeking to set aside a $32 million real estate transaction. Despite amending its complaint four times, the plaintiff did not survive the pleading stage and the case was dismissed without leave to amend. The court also awarded the client significant attorney fees.°
- Defended a landlord that was sued by its tenant in an effort to terminate the lease, alleging fraudulent inducement. By acting quickly, the case was mediated before filing a responsive pleading or conducting any discovery, and the client received a six figure payment from the tenant for a space they never moved into.°
- Defended a company that was sued for over $1 million by a Saudi Arabian company, alleging a wide range of fraud and conspiracy claims. After attacking the complaint, the court sustained our demurrer to all causes of action without leave to amend. The plaintiff appealed, and the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment in full, awarding our client’s costs on appeal.°
- Assisted in obtaining a multimillion-dollar settlement on behalf of international vitamin manufacturer in Trade Libel action, further resulting in the removal of multiple URLs containing defamatory material from Google search results. After multiple subpoenas, the “anonymous” poster was tracked to a Starbucks within one mile from his home across the county.°
- Assisted in defending a Taiwanese electronic parts manufacturer against a $30 million fraud and kickback claim brought by a national big-box retailer. The client paid nothing on the claims against it and recovered a multimillion-dollar breach of contract settlement.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Bassirian prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, “Ones to Watch,” Commercial Litigation, 2022-2025
- American Inns of Court, Louis M. Welsh Inn, Barrister
- Entrepreneurs’ Organization San Diego
- Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA Adventure Clubs, Spirit Nation
- Aspen Leaf Preschool at the Barry Ted Moskowitz Child Care Center, Parent Board of Directors (former)
- Board of Directors, Youth to the Core (former)
- Committee Member, Young Executive Society Council, University Club Atop Symphony Towers (former)
- Co-Chair, Fostering Community Committee, California Western School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors (former)
Credentials
- J.D., cum laude, California Western School of Law
- B.S.B.A., San Diego State University
- California