Diana P. Zitser

Los Angeles

Diana Zitser never intended to practice family law. With a background in real estate and finance, her career path took an unexpected turn when she had the opportunity to work with a leading family law attorney after law school.

"What I love most about this work is its depth and complexity -- navigating high-stakes issues, untangling financial webs, structuring settlements, or strategizing for the long game," Zitser said.

Now at the helm of her own practice, she has built a team focused on high-net-worth divorce cases that demand forensic financial expertise and strategic litigation. Her clients include entrepreneurs, artists and venture capitalists facing pivotal life transitions.

Zitser recounts a case involving a woman divorcing her venture capitalist husband after 25 years. As her third attorney, she inherited a case with substantial financial obstacles.

"Without access to their finances during the marriage, she placed complete trust in our team," Zitser said. "He and his partner controlled their wealth through a maze of private investments, making discovery a battle at every turn."

The case required three forensic accountants to unravel the financial structures. After a seven-day trial, her client secured long-term financial security.

In another case, Zitser represented a prominent film director divorcing after 12 years of marriage. The challenge involved dividing royalties, profit participation and intellectual property rights from past projects. The prenuptial agreement intended to simplify matters became contested, while international holdings and custody disputes raised additional complications.

"It wasn't just about wealth -- it was about valuation," Zitser said. "The director's income stemmed from fluctuating royalties, backend deals and intellectual property rights projected far into the future. Determining the estate required forensic accountants, financial modeling and an airtight strategy."

Zitser notes significant industry evolution underway. California's passage of SB 1427, effective January 2026, will allow couples with substantial assets to file joint petitions for divorce, creating a structured non-adversarial process that preserves investigation rights.

"Traditional discovery mechanisms struggle to keep up with crypto wallets, DeFi lending and algorithmic trading portfolios," Zitser said, highlighting how family law now intersects with financial technology and digital assets.