Back in 1992, Ira Rosenblatt was three years out of law school, recently married and a new homeowner when he decided his job as an associate at a law practice just wasn’t earning enough. “That left me with only a few options,” said Rosenblatt, who grew up in Tarzana and received his law degree in 1989 from the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento. “I just had to get creative.” Years later, Rosenblatt admits the idea of forming his own firm was “one half out of necessity and the other half was bliss ignorance.” Today, Warner Center-based Stone, Rosenblatt and Cha is one of the top 10 largest firms in the San Fernando Valley, with 40 employees, 20 lawyers and a client list brimming with household names the likes of jewelry company Robbins Bros., Flair Cleaners and Leeds Mattress Stores. He picked the Valley because “I knew it. It was my backyard. And I had a lot of deep ties.” Most of his work is in counseling clients in transactions, forming strategic plans and employment issues, representing both buyers and sellers, from private equity funds and financial buyers, on deals ranging from $5 million to $400 million. Another substantial settlement came when he represented a commercial insurance broker whose insurance retailer attempted to restrict them from selling insurance to certain ethnic groups. But Rosenblatt is also well versed as a trial attorney, arguing before the appellate courts in L.A. and Ventura counties. He has also represented employers in front of the California Labor Commission. Neil Adelman, advertising director for lifestyle magazine “Calabasas,” said Rosenblatt was picked as the publication’s legal counsel because of his confident and levelheaded attitude. “The thing I like about is he is never gets ruffled,” he said. “And he really has a good sense of humor.” Calabasas also is a glimpse into what drives Rosenblatt’s growth. The local magazine has seen considerable success and recently went national as “Statement.” Rosenblatt said that as his clients mature, their needs change and his business grows. “We need to keep up,” he said. And that may be the secret to his success. “We’ve really concentrated on needs that our clients share,” he said. “We grow out of necessity.” Chris Coates
