Patrick Baghdaserians

PASADENA - Patrick Baghdaserians is the managing partner at Baghdaserians Law Group Inc., the divorce and family law boutique he founded in 2019 with friend and colleague Daniel J. Leonetti.

The shop is now at six attorneys. “We’re always looking for new talent, people who want to work in a fast-paced, collegial atmosphere,” he said. “The best way to have an efficient team is to find folks who blend together well. We don’t want hermits.”

The shop specializes in complex family law litigation, including divorce, child support determination, child custody and visitation, spousal support determination, domestic violence, division of property and business valuation.

Baghdaserians worked at a large firm before striking out on his own. “No one expected the growth and the success to come this fast,” he said. “And the types of cases we’re handling are getting bigger and better over time, and we’re handling more complex matters.”

He added: “Family law is a humming dynamo that keeps moving despite whatever the economy is doing. The truth is, there aren’t that many good family law lawyers. Some people try to dabble in this area and they can ruin cases if they don’t know what they’re doing. If you’re knowledgeable and you hone your craft, you’ll be busy.”

Baghdaserians, in 2022, represented the mother in a custody proceeding that presented complications over COVID-19 vaccination issues. After negotiations, the vaccinated mother and unvaccinated father agreed that their young son should be immunized. The court also ordered the father either to get the vaccine or present a doctor’s note exempting him.

“He presented evidence that allowed him to not be vaxxed, but he did get the child vaxxed, so the outcome was satisfactory,” Baghdaserians said.

In another case, he represents a woman who conceived a child with an NFL player who declined to have a relationship with the child. Before retaining Baghdaserians, the woman had agreed to a child support sum that was less than one-fifth of the statutory guidelines.

Baghdaserians secured a child support order calling for $25,000 per month to include support, tuition and travel expenses.

He also represents a woman who conceived a child with the sole heir of a multibillionaire. The heir denied paternity, despite their multiyear relationship.

“He accused the woman of having retained his semen in her mouth after oral sex, then using a turkey baster to impregnate herself,” Baghdaserians said. “It was absurd, and whether it was true or not, I pointed out that he was still the father.” Baghdaserians established paternity and secured a child support order of $20,000 a month.

“I have a lot of boots-on-the-ground experience,” Baghdaserians said. “It goes a long way in helping you advocate for your client.”

- JOHN ROEMER