Isra Shah

Isra Shah advises public agencies on a wide range of governmental law issues including land use and planning, ethics, contract drafting, and compliance. In addition, Isra regularly advises clients in matters related to bankruptcy and insolvency law.

Work for Clients

Isra serves as the Assistant City Attorney for the Cities of Seal Beach and Maywood, and as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Upland. Isra also provides special counsel services to L.A. Care Health Plan, a local public agency established for the purpose of improving health care services for underserved constituencies, and the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan. In 2018, Isra served as the Interim City Attorney for the City of Buena Park. She works closely with city leaders and staff to accomplish the client's goals, providing assistance with implementing new laws and procedures, navigating zoning requirements land use entitlement processes, and structuring and negotiating agreements.

Professional Experience

Prior to joining Richards, Watson & Gershon, Isra clerked for two years for the Honorable Catherine E. Bauer at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California.

As a member of the University of California, Irvine School of Law’s inaugural class, Isra was an editor on the UC Irvine Law Review and served as a judicial extern at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Office of the United States Trustee. Isra remains actively involved in the UCI Law community, serving in 2015 as President of the School’s Law Alumni Association and as a member of the Dean’s Executive Board. She also served an adjunct to supervise law students through the UCI Law Externship Program for several years.

Professional and Community Affiliations

Board Member, Orange County City Attorneys' Association

Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association

Member, California State Bar Public Law Section

Board Member, UCI Law Alumni Association

COURTS

California

U.S. District Court, Central District of California

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals