Shakti Vadgama

Commercial Litigation | Labor & Employment Law – Management | Litigation – Labor & Employment
Recognized by Best Lawyers Since 2026

Shakti Vadgama is a distinguished attorney practicing in Irvine, California, recognized by Best Lawyers for excellence in Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment. His selection reflects the results of a rigorous peer‑review process and the high regard in which he is held by leading attorneys in his geographic and practice areas.

A former business owner and lifelong competitive athlete, Shakti brings a results‑driven mindset, unwavering work ethic, and deep compassion for his clients to every matter he handles. His commitment to winning—combined with a strategic, business‑oriented approach to legal challenges—has been a defining force throughout his legal career.

During law school, Shakti gained broad and substantive legal experience through roles with the Chilean Ministry of Justice, the Affordable Housing Advocates, private criminal defense firms, and the San Diego Superior Court. He also served as a legal research and writing honor’s instructor, sharpening the analytical and writing skills that continue to set his work apart.

Shakti began his legal career as a plaintiff-side employment attorney, successfully litigating and negotiating on behalf of hundreds of employees in both state and federal courts. He later founded and operated his own criminal defense practice, where he handled a wide range of cases—from misdemeanors to serious violent felonies—and earned multiple recognitions, including:

• Top 10 in Client Satisfaction, American Institute of DUI/DWI and Criminal Law Attorneys
• Rising Star in Criminal Law, American Institute of Legal Advocates
• Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
• Top 40 Under 40, American Academy of Attorneys

After more than five years leading his own practice, Shakti joined MNK Lawyers. He now represents and advises businesses in both litigation and transactional matters, bringing a unique combination of advocacy experience, business acumen, and a relentless dedication to client success.

Shakti is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts throughout California.