Watstein Terepka Doubles LA Office Headcount; 50% Growth Firmwide in 2026
Former BigLaw Litigator Sina Safvati Joins as Special Counsel in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA (August 18, 2026) — Watstein Terepka LLP, a national litigation boutique built for high-stakes disputes, announced today that Sina Safvati has joined the firm as Special Counsel in its Los Angeles office. Safvati’s arrival doubles the size of the firm’s Los Angeles office since its opening in April 2026 and continues a year of significant growth for the firm.
In 2026, Watstein Terepka added 11 professionals across its offices, increasing the firm’s total headcount from 22 at the start of the year to 33. This represents 50% growth for the firm in under one year.
“Growth only matters if the quality continues,” said Ryan Watstein, co-founder of Watstein Terepka. “We’re building a battle-tested and like-minded team that isn’t interested in doing things simply because that’s how they’ve always been done. This approach works, and our track record proves it.”
Watstein Terepka, established in 2023 by co-founders Ryan Watstein and Alexander Terepka, has continued to attract talent from prominent firms across the country.
“We’re adding talented, entrepreneurial lawyers in Los Angeles who want to bet on themselves,” said Nathaniel Haas, who serves as managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. “I’m thrilled to have this team working alongside me as we create a modern litigation firm from the ground up. They share the vision and intensity it takes to continue building on the platform Alex and Ryan have created.”
Safvati joins Watstein Terepka after building his practice at Akin Gump and Baker McKenzie, where he represented public companies, investment funds, technology and telecommunications companies, and other sophisticated clients in high-stakes business matters. His practice encompasses commercial disputes, class actions, trade secret matters, and consumer protection litigation in federal and state courts. His experience spans the full arc of complex litigation, handling matters involving civil RICO claims, worker-classification disputes, securities and stockholder litigation, consumer protection claims, and other complex commercial disputes.
“Watstein Terepka’s guiding principles are excitingly different. The team is creative and relentless, and one that provides unmatched client service,” said Sina Safvati. “This team is setting a new standard by consistently looking beyond the issue at hand and tackling the broader systems behind them, protecting clients now and in the future. That is the kind of firm I’m proud to be joining.”
Safvati’s arrival follows the recent addition of litigation associate Erik Manukyan from Morrison Foerster, partners Matthew Venezia and George Laiolo from Ellis George, and founding partner of the Los Angeles office Nathaniel Haas from Kirkland & Ellis.
About Watstein Terepka LLP
Watstein Terepka is a national litigation boutique built for clients who need elite writing, advocacy, and strategies that do not come from the standard playbook. The firm represents public and private companies, private-equity portfolio companies, and individuals in nationwide class actions, mass arbitrations, complex commercial litigation, appeals, and compliance matters across the country. Our lawyers represent clients in matters where judgment, creativity, intensity, and results matter more than convention.