AREVA MARTIN
Known to audiences across the country from her regular appearances on The Dr. Phil Show, Anderson Cooper 360, The Dr. Drew Show, Good Morning America and various national news programs from MSNBC to ABC, Areva Martin is an accomplished and multi-award- winning attorney and author. She is also a children’s and women’s rights advocate who has been featured on the pages of many publications including Lawyers USA, Redbook, and Ebony magazines.
As a Founding Partner of Martin & Martin LLP, Areva has been consistently identified as one of LA’s top attorneys, including being selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer 2014-2019. Under her leadership, the firm has developed a reputation of excellence for high quality legal representation of a wide range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to judges, elected officials and individuals.
Areva has tried cases in federal and state courts with an exceptional record of success. She has provided representation in complex matters at both mediation and arbitration, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of her clients. In addition to her trial experience, Areva has served as a mediator and arbitrator for the Los Angeles County Superior Court where she assisted litigants in reaching resolutions and disposing of a wide range of matters. She is known for her strategic and effective litigation style.
In addition to her legal work, Areva is a nationally recognized children’s and women’s rights advocate and autism spokesperson. She is the founder and President of Special Needs Network, Inc., a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization created specifically to raise awareness of issues that impact individuals with autism and related disabilities living in underserved and marginalized communities.
Areva has written countless articles for print magazines, newspapers, and online sites on topics ranging from workplace disputes to federal laws on disability rights. She previously authored a regular op-ed column for the Los Angeles Daily Journal on education, civil rights, disability rights, and significant state and California Supreme Court decisions.
Areva shares her story as a mother of an autistic child and her legal expertise in her second book, The Everyday Advocate: Standing Up for Your Child with Autism and Other Special Needs (Penguin 2010). What critics call the most comprehensive and compelling book to date addressing the issues of the special needs community and the importance of advocacy in this country, The Everyday Advocate soared to the top of Amazon’s best-seller list upon its release. Her first book, Journey to the Top, is a popular career guide for professional women.
Areva served as the only African-American woman and attorney on the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism. She was also Chair of the South Los Angeles Autism Regional Task Force for the California Senate Select Committee on Autism and the Co-Chair of the Autism, Diversity and Equity Task Force.
She graduated with honors from the University of Chicago and Harvard Law School. Areva is a member of several professional organizations. She is a “news junkie” as well as a runner with a passion for 10k races and half marathons.