Biography
Zyreena was born and raised in Southern California but found her true home in Washington state. Having personally experienced the family law system as a child growing up with divorced parents, she understands the emotional toll these cases can take. Zyreena consistently prioritizes the best interests of the child in custody matters and strives to provide empathetic, strategic guidance for families starting new chapters in their lives.
Beginning her career in the nonprofit sector, Zyreena witnessed the challenges families face while navigating complex legal systems. Working at the International Rescue Committee ignited her passion for helping families, where she assisted refugees in understanding and accessing legal resources. This experience shaped her belief that legal advocacy must be both compassionate and rooted in humanity.
Zyreena transitioned to family law through her impactful work with the Family Violence Appellate Project, where she handled protection orders and family law-related appeals. She became well-versed in family law statutes, publishing case law in areas where courts needed guidance. Seeing courts misinterpret laws and causing further harm to families deepened Zyreena’s passion for providing trauma-informed care as a fierce trial advocate.
Outside of work, you can find Zyreena exploring new restaurants, marathoning a Korean drama, or listening to dramatic movie scores while working out.
Interesting Facts:
Zyreena’s approach is rooted in establishing clear expectations and fostering transparency from the outset. Recognizing that every client’s situation is unique, she begins by openly discussing the goals and potential outcomes, ensuring that clients understand all available options before making decisions. Complex legal concepts and strategies are explained in straightforward terms, empowering clients to make informed choices without feeling overwhelmed or left in the dark. By demystifying the legal process, Zyreena builds a foundation of trust and mutual dependability, creating an environment where clients feel confident and supported. By acknowledging that clients are experts of their own stories, she strongly advocates for outcomes that best serve the client’s long-term well-being.
Zyreena earned her BA in Law, Societies, and Justice with a minor in Korean from the University of Washington. She went on to receive her JD from Seattle University School of Law. Zyreena was vice president of the Middle Eastern South Asian Law Student Association and social chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board. During her time in law school, she gained a variety of experiences, including working at a boutique law firm and a start-up company. She was also a teacher’s assistant and student attorney at the law school’s immigration clinic.