NEWSLETTER A PUBLICATION FOR 1989 MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE ARMENIAN BAR ASSOCIATION

Volume 21, Number 2 Fall 2009 Toronto, Canada to host the Armenian Bar Message from the Chair Association’s Mid-year Meeting, October 2 - 4 Dear Colleagues: On October 2-4, 2009, in Toronto, there will be a Midyear Meeting of the Armenian Bar Sonya Nersessian A s s o c i a t i o n at the Toronto Hilton. This is an opportunity to get together and meet with colleagues – this time from Canada – that I hope you will not miss! The Friday evening Welcoming Reception will be the kickoff event for the weekend. The Armenian Bar National Mid-year Meeting will be held in Toronto, Then, on Saturday, the Toronto Organizing Committee has Canada’s cultural, educational, financial, high tech, commercial, industrial done a terrific job of creating and entertainment center. an interesting and informative Featuring Vartkes Yeghiayan made significant contributions to the program, with dynamic speakers Armenian legal community and the for the sessions and the luncheon. Keynote Luncheon Speaker Armenian Bar Association, so we are Saturday evening there thrilled to be returning to visit our will be a dinner at a special The Armenian Bar Association neighbors to the north for our Mid-year location followed by Nuit Blanche, (ArmenBar) will return to Canada for meeting,” said Sonya Nersessian, Chair an amazing extravaganza that its Mid-year meeting, on the weekend of ArmenBar. Toronto is Canada’s of October 2-4, 2009 in Toronto. The See Message from the Chair, pg. 6 cultural, educational, financial, high meeting will be held at the elegant tech, commercial, industrial and Hilton Hotel, and will mark only the IN THIS ISSUE entertainment center. It’s skyline boasts third time in the group’s history that it the CN Tower, the tallest structure in Mid-year meeting in Toronto cont’d...... 2 has held a meeting in Canada. Vartkes North America, and formerly the tallest ABA’s 20th Annual Meeting...... 3 Yeghiayan, respected attorney, author structure in the world. The meeting Members in the news...... 4 and the architect of the New York Life headquarters at the Hilton is walking Federal court rejects Genocide case...... 6 and other Genocide reparation cases, distance from the CN Tower, as well as More member news...... 7 will be the keynote luncheon speaker. Armenian bar reaches out to Australians....8 “We have a vibrant group Opinion...... 9 of members in Canada who have See Mid-year Meeting in Toronto, Photos from the 20th Annual Meeting.....10 pg. 2

Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 2

their pro bono assistance in filing an of Edvin Minassian, for your Newsflash: Movsesian amicus brief yesterday on behalf of extraordinary time and efforts. Case Amicus Brief the ABA, the ANCA, Zoryan Institute Lastly, my thanks to everyone and the International Association behind the scenes who added to the September 22, 2009 of Genocide Scholars, drafted in an quality of this brief – you know who extremely short timeframe. All of you are – for your commitment of your Many of you have been the Bingham attorneys generously time and cooperation, thoughtful and concerned about the 9th Circuit’s ruling gave their time, valued expertise and thought-provoking participation, and recently in the Movsesian case. Your energetic efforts in filing the attached speedy and generous responses. Armenian Bar Association took action. brief. We are very grateful. -Sonya Nersessian, Chair My thanks to our esteemed member, Thank you to Saro Kerkonian, David Balabanian, and his firm Chair of the Armenia Rights Watch Editor’s Note: The Amicus Brief with Bingham McCutcheon, specifically Committee, assisted by Armen Addendum is posted in its entirety at David Salmons and Erin Conroy, for Hovannisian, and with the participation www.ArmenianBar.org

of lectures, including from Los Angeles. He stated that the Mid-year Meeting in “Research on Genocide Reparations.” purpose of the killings was to demand Toronto, October 2-4 In addition to Yeghiayan, justice for the . continued from pg. 1 the list of guest speakers includes The act sparked a wave of attacks attorney and author Michael Bobelian, against Turkish diplomats throughout other popular attractions, including the immigration law specialists Chantal the world in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Canadian Opera, Rodgers Centre, Air Desloges, Caroline Mouralian and Yeghiayan’s two decade quest to bring Canada Centre and Eaton Centre. Alice Yardum-Hunter along with law the New York Life class action lawsuit As is customary, the event will professors Katherine Kessedjian and to light is also covered in the book. draw numerous legal scholars, law David Nersessian. Desloges, Mouralian and professors, historians, judges, lawyers, The panel on Genocide Yardum-Hunter are all experts in the law students and politicians from Reparations will kick off the Saturday area of immigration law. Desloges throughout the United States, Canada, session, and will feature Boston is the founder of the immigration France and Armenia. The conference University Law Professor David and refugee law free advice clinic will be punctuated by legal seminars, Nersessian and Katherine Kessedjian, in Ontario. Mouralian has offices receptions, and a meeting of the Board Professor at the University of Paris II, in Quebec and Lebanon, and has of Governors. Attorneys attending the Pantheon-Assas, France. Nersessian assisted hundreds of in the meeting will receive continuing legal and Kessedjian have been involved immigration process. Yardum-Hunter education credits for what promises to in extensive research on methods has been an immigration specialist for be an interesting and informative series to achieve redress for the Armenian 30 years. She has written and lectured Genocide in international courts and extensively on the subject, and has tribunals. The panel will showcase new been recognized as a “Super Lawyer.” avenues for the Armenian community The lecture will deal with the hot topic in its efforts to achieve retribution issue of cross border immigration in from Turkey for a crime which remains North America. unpunished nearly a century after it The meeting will be was perpetrated. presided over by Armenbar Chair Bobelian, an attorney and Sonya Nersessian from Boston, journalist, has recently published Massachusetts. “We are proud of his latest text entitled “Children of our organization, excited about the Armenia, a Forgotten Genocide and the meeting, and believe it will be an Century-Long Struggle for Justice.” enriching experience for all who He will discuss the critically acclaimed attend,” said Nersessian. book and research which went into its publication. Chronicled in the book More information about the Respected Attorney Vartkes is the story of Gourgen Yanikian, event can be obtained on the ArmenBar Yeghiayan will be the Keynote who in 1973 murdered the Turkish website at: www.armenianbar.org Speaker at the Mid-year Meeting. Consul General and Vice Consul

Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 3 Mass Gathering: Armenian Bar Association’s 20th Annual Meeting In Glendale With Governor George Deukmejian and Raffi Hovannisian Several hundred legal heavyweights and dignitaries, along with friends and family, celebrated the Armenian Bar Association’s (ArmenBar) 20th Anniversary at a gala on May 9, 2009 at the Glendale, Hilton. The banquet culminated a spectacular weekend complete with legal seminars, a pro bono community workshop, a star studded luncheon, and receptions. “Simply put, this was a fabulous meeting,” said Armen Hovannisian, past Chairman of ArmenBar, and the meeting organizer. “After 20 years, we reaffirmed our wide relevance, special community role, and dynamic ArmenBar Honorary Member Governor George Deukmejian, third from vibrancy. Our report card shows that we left, was the keynote speaker at the Gala Dinner Banquet on May 9. Pictured continue to make a positive difference here from left: ArmenBar Executive Director Betty Jamgotchian, Gloria for Armenian communities throughout Deukmejian, Robert Philibosian, Janet Philibosian and Saro Kerkonian. the world,” said Hovannisian. Award for years of pro bono service prosecutor in several international Governor George Deukmejian, to the Armenian community and for criminal tribunals and currently one of an elite group of ArmenBar his sustained volunteerism in the Los working at the Hague, was a special Honorary Members, was the keynote Angeles County court system as a guest speaker in a panel focusing on the speaker at the gala dinner banquet . judge pro tem, mediator, arbitrator and prosecution of war crimes and crimes He wowed the crowd with the delivery settlement officer. against humanity. Koumjian is the chief of a true statesman and also with his California Supreme Court prosecutor in the highly publicized, comical anecdotes from the annuls Justice Ming Chin was the main current trial of Charles Taylor, the of Nasreddin Hodja. Four hundred luncheon speaker, and was introduced former President of Liberia. The trial is enthusiastic supporters were on-hand by fellow California Supreme Court taking place in The Hague, and Taylor to witness the recognition and awarding Justice Marvin Baxter, a founding and is the first former African head of of distinguished ArmenBar members. Honorary Member of the Armenian state to appear before an international Raffi K. Hovannisian received Bar Association. After drawing tribunal for crimes against humanity. the highly coveted Hrant Dink Freedom parallels between his own family’s Phillip Lynch, an Assistant Award for his principled stand on immigrant past and the experiences of U.S. Attorney who was appointed by Genocide recognition throughout the the Armenian community, Chin praised the U.S. Department of Justice to be the world. He is the founder of ArmenBar, the outreach efforts of ArmenBar and Rule of Law Coordinator in Baghdad, the First Foreign Minister of the encouraged the group to promote Iraq in 2007, joined Koumjian on Republic of Armenia, and the first and help preserve impartiality in the the panel. Lynch has had the unique Armenian from the Diaspora to become judiciary. experience of helping to establish a member of the Armenian Parliament. A panel on human and civil Iraq’s legal system following the fall Professor Ann Lousin, the only rights in Armenia, and the role of the of the Saddam Hussein regime, and three term Chair of ArmenBar, and courts in protecting such rights, was an shared some of those experiences. He a professor at the John Marshall Law important part of the legal seminars. discussed his first-hand involvement School in Chicago received a Lifetime Renowned Armenian civil rights relating to the trial of Saddam Hussein, Achievement Award for her extensive attorney and Member of Parliament which resulted in a death sentence and service and mentoring to lawyers and Zaruhi Postanjyan was the guest execution. The panel was moderated law students. Vicken Simonian, the speaker. She was joined by Raffi K. by John Lulejian, an Assistant United longest-serving Board member of Hovannisian on the panel. ArmenBar, received a Public Service Nicholas Koumjian, a See Annual Meeting ‘09, pg. 9

Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 4 Members in the News and on the Move

Bar Association since 2005. upon Illinois, which was published Alice Yardum-Hunter has June 19, 2009 in The Chicago Daily been elected to serve as Second Vice Law Bulletin. Chair of the Immigration Section of the Additionally, Professor Ann Los Angeles County Bar Association Lousin spoke on the Griswold and for the term July 1, 2009 to June 30, Movsesian cases on September 10 as 2010. Alice may be reached at: alice@ part of the Faculty Works in Progress yardum-hunter.com series held at The John Marshall Law Justice Armand Arabian, School in Chicago. She spoke in was honored by the Western Los tandem with her colleague Mary Jean Garo Ghazarian, Armenian Bar Angeles County Council Boy Scouts Dolan, who spoke on the recently- Board Member, attorney for Dr. Arnold of America with the 2009 Leaders of created doctrine of “government Klein, was a guest on LarryKingLive Character Award. The recognition speech,” where it appears that once on Aug. 20 discussing the latest in the reception was held Wednesday, a communication or decision from Michael Jackson investigation. http:// July 29, 2009, at 6:00 p.m., at the a government is determined to be www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry. Ruggieri residence, in Sherman Oaks, “government speech,” there can be king.live/ California. no Free Speech challenge to it. This Claire Kedeshian, U.S. Garo B. Ghazarian, Board is new territory for most attorneys. Attorney in New York, was member and Pro Bono Chair, and Professor Ann spoke specifically recognized on C-SPAN Radio for her Arsineh Aghakhani, Student about Griswold, which carries the role in indictments by the Attorney Committee Representative, were in “government speech” concept into General with respect to the Mexican attendance on behalf of the Armenian curriculum guides for public schools. Drug Cartel. You can hear the press Bar Association at the Los Angeles She then covered Movsesian, which conference and the mention of Claire Superior Court’s Community built upon AIA v. Garamendi, the at 13.36 minutes of the 33 minute Outreach Meeting on 6/16/2009. SCOTUS case that claimed that conference at www.c-span.org. The ABA was invited to participate California’s Holocaust insurance Charles S. Poochigian in the community outreach meeting claims statute interfered with the appointed to the Fifth District Court hosted by the Presiding Judge of President’s power to “speak with one of Appeals. On August 20, 2009, the Los Angeles Superior Court. At voice” in foreign relations. That case Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger the meeting, the Teen Court and and a surprising number of others led announced the nomination of Charles SHADES (stop hate and delinquency the majority in Movsesian to hold the S. Poochigian for appointment as by empowering students) programs same re Chuck Poochigian’s SB 1915, an associate justice of the Court of were introduced. the 2000 statute that attempted to do Appeal, Fifth Appellate District. Lori Sinanyan has accepted a the same for Armenians. Professor Poochigian served as an attorney, position with Jones Day establishing Lousin can be reached at: 7lousin@ Assembly Member and Senator of the firm’s Los Angeles restructuring jmls.edu. the California State Legislature prior group. Lori can now be contacted Robert Philibosian, who was to his appointment. He has been an at: Jones Day, 555 South Flower the district attorney of Los Angeles Honorary Member of the Armenian Street, 50th Floor, Los Angeles, CA from 1981 to 90071, Phone: 213-243-2763, e-mail: 1984, was named [email protected]. by City Attorney- Professor Ann Lousin, of elect Carmen The John Marshall School of Law Trutanich to in Chicago, just turned in the last lead Trutanich’s chapter of her treatise on the Illinois transition team Constitution. She also wrote an article as a co-chair. Poochigian with Schwarzenegger about the Caperton case and its effect See More Member News, pg. 5

Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 5 More Member News continued from pg. 4 Philibosian was tapped as co- chair because of “his steady hand and experience.” Trutanich will take office on July 1, 2009. The Americanism Educational League will present the “American Spirit Award” to Armand Arabian, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California (retired). This award is given annually to an US Ambassador to Armenia, her Excellency Marie Yovanovitch, met individual who with representatives of the Armenian Bar Association on her recent represents the best visit to the Southland. The intimate meeting was presided over by of the American Armenian Bar Association Vice-Chair, Edvin Minassian and covered Spirit in their life many topics of mutual interest. and whose life Pictured L to R: John Lulejian, Hovanes Margarian, Joseph Kanimian, has served to enrich and uplift the Judge Zaven V. Sinanian, Edvin Minassian, US Ambassador Marie spirits of their fellow Americans. The Yovanovitch, Garo B. Ghazarian, Betty Jamgotchian and Lisa Boyadjian. award will be presented on Saturday, tribunal that hears administrative program focused November 14, 2009 at the Sheraton disputes. Established by the California on contractual Universal Hotel, Universal City, as Legislature in 1945, OAH provides agreements with the Americanism Educational League independent Administrative Law private entities celebrates its 82nd Anniversary Gala Judges (ALJs) to conduct hearings which allow for Awards Dinner and celebrates the for over 150 State and 800 local renovation of 200th Year Anniversary of Abraham government agencies. Ms. Krikorian infrastructure and Lincoln’s Birth. Members of the will be in the Special Education development of Armenian Bar Association may division, which provides adjudicatory, green technology by reserve spaces at the Armenian Bar mediation and settlement services shifting risk and reward to the private table for $150 per person. Please throughout the state to school districts sector in exchange for access to capital RSVP before October 20, 2009 by and parents of special needs children. and lower costs.” Frank can be reached mailing your check made payable to All OAH ALJs are required to have at: [email protected]. the Armenian Bar Association to P.O. practiced law for at least five years Box 29111, Los Angeles, CA 90029. before being appointed, and typically For further information email Betty at: have more than 10 years’ experience. See More Member News, pg. 7 [email protected]. Ms. Krikorian can be reached at Please send your job announcements, press Adrienne Krikorian received [email protected]. releases, articles and information about an appointment from the Director of appointments and/or noteworthy cases for Frank V. Zerunyan, past the Office of Administrative Hearings publication to: Chair of the Armenian Bar Association, to serve as an Administrative Law was a speaker at the California State Editor in Chief Judge in the Special Bar Conference held in San Diego Vicken I. Simonian, [email protected] Education division in September 2009. He spoke on the of the OAH effective Senior Editor subject of “Public-Private Partnerships September 28, Armen K. Hovannisian, [email protected] for California’s Infrastructure Needs.” 2009. The Office The topic covered “California and Associate Editor of Administrative its political subdivisions during a John Lulejian, [email protected] Hearings (OAH) difficult recessionary period. The is a quasi-judicial Assistant Editor Betty A. Jamgotchian, [email protected]

Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 6 Federal appeals court rejects Armenian Genocide case Descendants of victims can’t sue foreign insurance companies for unpaid claims because the U.S. government doesn’t legally recognize the Genocide, a three-judge 9th Circuit panel rules.

Article originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times, August 21, 2009

By Carol J. Williams

Armenian Americans descended from victims of the 1915-18 massacre by Ottoman Turks can’t sue foreign insurance companies for unpaid claims because the U.S. government Attorneys , Brian Kabateck, Vartkes Yeghiayan and doesn’t legally recognize that an Armenian Genocide occurred, a federal CA State Treasurer Phil Angelides announce a class action lawsuit on appeals court ruled Thursday. behalf of descendants of Armenian Genocide victims against Deutsche A Glendale priest and Bank and Dresdner Bank on May 11, 2006. Damian Dovarganes / AP thousands of other Armenians whose aside that recognition,” said Brian regulating the insurance industry. relatives were among the 1.2 million S. Kabateck, a Los Angeles lawyer The plaintiffs sought settlement killed had won a partial victory two representing the plaintiffs whose own of claims under policies issued by years ago. U.S. District Judge Christina maternal grandparents died in the German insurers Victoria Versicherung A. Snyder said then that a 2000 law Genocide. and Ergo Versicherungsgruppe, as well passed by the California Legislature “This is a sad day for Armenian as their parent company, Munchener gave the descendants standing to sue Americans,” he said, adding that the Ruckversicherungsgesellschaft. three German insurance companies. decision would make recovery of But a divided three-judge panel victims’ bank accounts, insurance © 2009, The Los Angeles Times of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals proceeds and other property impossible. overturned that ruling, saying the He vowed to appeal for rehearing by a California law attempted to undercut larger panel of judges. Message from the the president’s diplomatic authority Vartkes Yeghiayan, the lawyer and had to be preempted by the federal for lead plaintiff Father Vazken Chair policy against acknowledging the Movsesian of St. Peter Armenian continued from pg. 1 Genocide. Church, described the ruling as Congress has considered “devastating.” takes place throughout the City of resolutions three times in the last decade The attorney representing the Toronto from dusk until dawn. Billed that would have provided official German insurers, Neil M. Soltman, as a “free all-night contemporary art recognition of the Genocide. Each time, called the decision “a straight-down- thing,” you can check it out using the White House has stepped in to urge the-middle determination that in the keywords “Nuit Blanche Toronto.” We that the bills be scuttled, out of fear that area of foreign affairs, federal power are so fortunate that we will be there to passage would damage relations with has to prevail.” participate! Turkey, whose government denies that Judge Harry Pregerson a genocide took place. dissented from the majority opinion by We look forward to a wonderful fall “I think the decision is Judges David R. Thompson and Dorothy weekend in Canada! See you there! outrageous. If taken to its logical W. Nelson. Pregerson wrote that the extension, what this decision means is District Court had correctly judged the Best, that all 40 states that have recognized California statute as “within the state’s the Armenian Genocide have to set traditional area of competence” in Sonya Nersessian

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More Member News that on the Supreme Court? Souter’s continued from pg. 5 most recent job, apart from literally only weeks as a First Circuit justice, was his Justice Souter retiring from over a dozen years as a justice of the high court New Hampshire Supreme Court. When he was nominated the ABC7Chicago.com - Chicago,IL,USA Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Ann Lousin is, as she put it, “Seventy asked me to read some of his cases to 90 percent” convinced Obama will regarding women, especially rape cases, nominate a female jurist. “He’d be hard and report to their Judicial Committee on put to say, ‘I couldn’t find a really ... what I thought his views were and how I thought he would approach “women’s Ann Lousin was on TV twice cases”, especially abortion issues, on the April 30, 2009. This is the long version, Court. en banc. That means they have to which appeared at 5 p.m. At 10 p.m., I discovered that his opinions adjust to each other’s views and try to they ran only the quote “He would be were right down the mainstream of New persuade the others, remembering that hard put to say he couldn’t find an Hampshire. He followed settled law “compromise” is not a swear word. outstanding woman lawyer between pretty consistently. Of course, the docket Justice Brennan was famous at trying to the ages of 40 and 60.” (I was glad in New Hampshire does not contain achieve a consensus, and Chief Justice that Charles Thomas didn’t point out as many exciting cases as those before Warren’s skills as a politician were no to the TV audience that I am 66 and SCOTUS. In the rape case most of the more evident than when he “organized” therefore over the hill for a SCOTUS women lawyers were concerned about, the Court opinion in Brown v. Board of appointment.) he was following the “rape shield” cases Education. “Loners” and ideologues As David Souter departs the in New Hampshire; I would probably who just won’t work and play well with court, let me say something else about have done the same. I predicted then that others have a hard time in any group court selection and specifically him. he would pretty much follow the settled setting. While I agree with my colleague Tim law of SCOTUS, including the abortion Souter clearly has been able O’Neill that it is not a good idea to rights issues, and not strike out to create to organize majorities in recent years choose ALL of the justices from the new theories. I said he would uphold the because he possessed those skills at Circuit Courts of Appeal, I think that core principles of Roe v. Wade. I think persuasion and compromise. He is Presidents do that because they think that has happened. (As an aside, I notice reportedly unfazed by Justice Scalia’s that that “training ground” gives them that he has appointed quite a few women often-acerbic comments about other some idea of how a justice might act, clerks since the mid-1990’s, including justices’ opinions (which make me not just vote, on the highest court in the one term when three of his four clerks cringe when I read them). He is land. were women; I doubt that even the two unfailingly courteous in his dissents and Much is made of this desire women on the Court have matched, let when he, writing for the majority, refers to know how the justice will act and alone exceeded, that record.) to a dissent. I wish some other judges on vote and also of the “blooper” George So the first question I would various levels of the judiciary would do H.W. Bush thought he made when ask is what a candidate’s approach to the same. he nominated Souter as the “stealth “jobs” would be, especially jobs held Those are the two questions I candidate.” I think that Presidents are most recently and jobs similar to that of would ask. Not “ideology” or “judicial surprised by their nominees because they a judge. Compare Souter’s approach philosophy”, whatever those are. don’t ask the right questions. It’s not a to that of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Here’s an example of why question of “liberal” v. “conservative”, whom I also admire. Her previous jobs the latter won’t predict how justices “strict constructionist” v. “activist”, or included years as an advocate for gender will vote. Read AIA v. Garamendi, what. rights, and I think her record on SCOTUS decided about 2003. The U.S. had set If I were advising President reflects that previous approach. up a Holocaust Commission to deal with Obama, I would ask two questions 2) How does he/she function in group foreign countries and their nations on about each potential candidate for a decision-making, such as committees? issues relating to the economic effects of justiceship: While justices seem to operate on the Holocaust, such as insurance policies 1) How has he/she approached their own, each running his/her own issued in Europe. When Bill Clinton his/her professional tasks, including the chambers independently of the eight most recent jobs and the jobs most like others, they have to vote in a group, See More Member News, pg. 8

Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 8 More Member News still a pretty accurate summary.) during his confirmation hearings, nor continued from pg. 7 If you were looking at ideology, has he been as reticent in disclosing dawdled on naming the U.S. members judicial philosophy, “liberalism” v. his views as some observers think. for two years, California passed a statute “conservatism”, etc., which four justices His recent address to the Academy of requiring its insurance commissioner, would you expect joined Souter and Arts and Sciences got press because of Garamendi, to refuse to issue licenses which four would you think were in the his “intellectual lobotomy” remark in to sell insurance in CA unless the minority? To save you looking it up: answer to a question. Few have listened insurance company DISCLOSED the four dissenters were the two most to his short talk on the use of history whether it had sold insurance policies “liberal” members of the Court, Justices in deciding court cases. It is short, but in Europe in the relevant time period. Stevens and Ginsburg, and the two most very perceptive. Whether one agrees AIA claimed this interfered with the “conservative” members of the Court, with him or not, he was disclosing how President’s power “to conduct foreign Justices Scalia and Thomas. Is there he used history (and said his colleagues relations”, while CA claimed that its any other SCOTUS opinion where those did not use history) in making their statute was valid under a state’s rights two pairs are in dissents? I don’t know decisions. theory of federalism (insurance is a state of any. Justices Breyer, Rehnquist, He was his own independent issue, not a federal one). O’Connor, and Kennedy joined Souter. Yankee self all the time. His ancestors To my dismay, the Supreme Could anyone have predicted that? who helped elect Abraham Lincoln and Court sided with AIA, 5-4. In one of When people tell me that fought in the Union Army would have the few instances where I think Justice justices’ personal backgrounds make a been proud of his career. Souter was dead wrong, he wrote the difference, I point out that case. I hope he comes to Chicago majority opinion. The president’s power As to Justice Souter himself, some day so that I can shake his hand. to conduct foreign relations essentially I regret his departure and hope he -Ann Lousin triumphed over federalism. (I know that will continue to be active as an extra the case is more complicated than that justice sitting with various Courts of Professor Lousin can be reached at and that Souter offered Congress an Appeal around the country. He never [email protected]. “out” in the last paragraphs, but this is misrepresented himself or his views

in Australia and is Armenian Bar reaches actively involved out to Australian in the Armenian community in constituents Sydney. He is married and has 3 children. Sydney, AUSTRALIA: S y d n e y ’ s Armenian Bar Association Executive Armenian lawyers Director, Betty Jamgotchian, met with may be small in Senior Solicitor Hagop Jake Boghossian number, but they are at Sydney’s bustling business district all highly respected on September 8, 2009. The two met to and practice the discuss the possibility of encouraging highest level of Sydney’s approximately 40 Solicitors responsibility and and Barristers of Armenian heritage to ethics. Jake is participate in ArmenBar’s future legal enthusiastic to meet conferences and to connect with other other ArmenBar attorneys of Armenian heritage globally. members who From time to time, the Armenian Bar you’ll see his familiar advertisement practice in the areas will feature biographic summaries for Unfair Employment Dismissal in of Business and Commercial Law. The of attorneys of Armenian heritage the Daily Telegraph, Sydney’s daily formation of a Business and Economic throughout the world. business newspaper. Jake received his Development Committee for ArmenBar Jake Boghossian is a popular Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and is in the planning stages. Jake can be attorney specializing in Unfair his LLB from MacQuarie University. reached at [email protected] Employment Practices. While in Sydney, Jake’s parents immigrated to Australia from Lebanon and Iran. Jake was born

Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 9

theft and health and welfare fraud. from Boston, Massachusetts. Annual Meeting ‘09 On Friday, May 8, 2009, All of the Officers of the organization continued from pg. 3 ArmenBar held a pro bono workshop were installed to a second term, for the community at the St. Mary’s including Nersessian as Chair, Edvin Attorney, who prosecutes violent and Armenian Apostolic Church in Minassian from Glendale as Vice-Chair, organized crime, and Board Member of Glendale. The workshop featured a Sara Bedirian from Beverly Hills as ArmenBar. number of outstanding local attorneys Treasurer and Christine Engustian from Garo Ghazarian, Dean of the giving practical, and where possible, Providence, Rhode Island as Secretary. People’s College of Law, lead a panel one-on-one advice to community “The strength and vitality of the discussion on “Crime and Justice in members on issues of interest such Armenian Bar Association during this the Armenian Community.” The panel as immigration, domestic violence, celebratory weekend is a springboard included Steven Lubell a Commissioner landlord/tenant disputes and criminal for the future growth and continued in the City of Burbank, Thomas matters. The panelists included Alice success of this organization,” said Lorenz and Tigran Topadzhikyan, both Yardum-Hunter, Lucy Avedissian, Nersessian. Seargents with the Glendale Police Hagop Tashjian, Betty Jamgotchian, See Additional Scenes from the Department and Fred Mesropi, a Deputy Victor Hairapetian, Raymond Annual Meeting ‘09, pg. 10 District Attorney with the County Hovsepian, Raymond Zakari, Vicken of Los Angeles. The topics included Simonian, Varoujan Agemian, Sarkis the perception of Armenians within Babachanian, Theresa Gibbons, Azniv Join the Armenian Bar the local communities, helping the Ksachikian, Nigol Manoukian, Garo Association today! community with rulings from the bench Ghazarian and Dorine Martirossian. and certain types of crimes including For more information, please visit The meeting was presided over www.armenianbar.org. those related to traffic, alcohol, identity by Armenbar Chair Sonya Nersessian Opinion The News again praises the such senseless acts of violence. councilman for his continued efforts If we don’t learn from Councilman reminds us of to ensure that we always remember history, we’re doomed to repeat Genocide’s horrors a tragedy that often is forgotten it. Take a moment to reflect on in the annals of history. Though the more than 1 million souls who Article originally appeared in The April 24 is recognized worldwide lost their lives in the Armenian Peninsula News as the day the Genocide began Genocide. Think about the millions nearly a century ago, the Turkish of Jews who were exterminated Frank Zerunyan, in keeping government tragically still refuses under Adolf Hitler’s brutal reign with a position he’s held since to acknowledge it. and the million who perished in the joining the Rolling Hills Estates Masterminded by the Young Rwandan Genocide. City Council, will recognize April Turks, a political group that gained We as a people have much 24 at next week’s council meeting control of the and to learn. But Zerunyan and those as the Day of Remembrance of the believed in an oppressive form of who follow in his footsteps take Armenian Genocide of 1915 to 1923, nationalism, the Genocide resulted the necessary steps to try to prevent as well as a day of vigilance against in the deaths of men, women and similar crimes against humanity. all other genocides. Zerunyan, an children. On April 24, 1915, the Their constant vigil is an inspiration Armenian-American, notes that Turks rounded up, deported and and a reminder of the power of the the atrocity claimed 1.5 million killed hundreds of Armenian leaders, individual to create positive change lives, including those of his great- writers, thinkers and professionals in a world that often is full of hate. grandfather and great-uncle. They in Constantinople, thereby ripping Without them, we may as well toss were among the victims of the 20th much of the intellectual heart out our history books into the fire. century’s first genocide, perpetrated of the country. So many potential Note: As promised in 2007, by the Ottoman Turks. This year world leaders in fields like science the News plans to run this editorial, marks the 94-year anniversary of and politics were lost on that day. which first appeared in April the bloody crime against humanity Fortunately, surviving relatives like 2005, every year until the Turkish that even today tears at the hearts of Zerunyan are here to remind us of government recognizes the atrocity. Zerunyan and his kinsmen.

Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 10 Memorable Scenes from the 20th Annual Meeting in Glendale continued from pg. 9

See Additional Scenes from the Annual Meeting ‘09, pg. 11

Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 11 Additional Scenes from the 20th Annual Meeting in Glendale continued from pg. 10

Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 12 Board of Governors and Committee Chairs 2009 Executive Committee Melineh B. Verma (CANADA) Harry Dikranian WilmerHale LLP E: [email protected] Chair - Sonya Nersessian 1875 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. , Washington D.C. 20006 and Sonya Nersessian Law Office T: 202-663-6855, F: 202-663-6363 (CHICAGO) Amy Hoogasian P.O. Box 1356, Dedham, MA 02027-1356 E: [email protected] 5354 N. Ashland, Chicago, IL 60640, T: 781- 899-7866, F: 781- 899-7959, E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Advisory Board and Vice-Chair - Edvin E. Minassian (NEW YORK) Taline Festekjian Tennenhouse, Minassian & Adham Honorable Larry A. Burns Lyon Ross Capital Management LLC 1101 N Pacific Ave., Ste. 200, Glendale, CA 91202-3250 United States District Court T: 818-551-9990, F: 818-551-0273, E: [email protected] 150 East 52nd Street, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10022 880 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92101-8900 T: 212-218-3916, E: [email protected] Treasurer - Sara Bedirian T: 619-557-5874, E: [email protected] and Bedirian & Associates (WASHINGTON DC) Melineh B. Verma 211 S. Beverly Blvd., Suite 214, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Honorable Dickran Tevrizian 5933 Anniston Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 T: 310-288-9797, F: 310-288-9798 United States District Court Judge (Retired) T: 301-530-0669, E: [email protected] E: [email protected] JAMS, 707 Wilshire Blvd., 46th Fl., Los Angeles, CA 90017, and T: 213-620-1133 (EXTERNSHIPS) The Honorable Zaven V. Sinanian Secretary – Christine J. Engustian Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court 1 Grove Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914 Executive Director Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA T: 401-434-1250, F: 401-434-2934, E: [email protected] Betty A. Jamgotchian, E: [email protected] E: [email protected] asfasf Ex-Officio – Honorable Frank V. Zerunyan Administrative Assistant Newsletter Chair - Council Member, City of Rolling Hills Estates, California Lisa Boyadjian, E: [email protected] Vicken I. Simonian & Principal & General Counsel 131 N. El Molino Ave., Suite 310, Pasadena, CA 91101 Public-Private Community Development LLC Armenian Bar Association T: 626-584-0043, F: 626-795-6138 E: [email protected] 608 Silver Spur Rd Ste 290 Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 P.O. Box 29111, Los Angeles, CA 90029 T: 310-971-5219, E: [email protected] T/F: 323-666-6288, E: [email protected] Co-Chairs - BOARD OF GOVERNORS Armen K. Hovannisian COMMITTEES 15456 Valley Vista Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Members at Large Armenia Programs Chair - T: 213-233-9662, E: [email protected] Vahan Bournazian and The Honorable Jacqueline Chooljian Assistant Dean, AUA Law John J. Lulejian United States Magistrate Judge Yerevan, ARMENIA 375010 1500 United States Courthouse U.S. District Court for the Central District of California T: 374-10-51-27-55, E: [email protected] 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 60012 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 T: 213-894-2434, F: 213-894-3713 E: [email protected] Armenian Rights Watch Chairs - E: [email protected] Taline Festekjian Saro K. Kerkonian Tennenhouse, Minassian & Adham Pro Bono Chair - Garo B. Ghazarian Lyon Ross Capital Management LLC Law Office of Garo B. Ghazarian 150 East 52nd Street, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10022 1101 N. Pacific Avenue, Suite 200, Glendale, CA 91202 T: 818-551-9990, F: 818-551-0273, E: [email protected] 15915 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 203, Encino, CA 91436 T: 212-218-3916, E: [email protected] T: 818-905-6484,F: 818-905-6481, E:[email protected] Garo. B. Ghazarian Continuing Legal Education Co-Chairs - and Law Office of Garo B. Ghazarian The Honorable Jacqueline Choolian Vicken I. Simonian 15915 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 203, Encino, CA 91436 United States Magistrate Judge 131 N. El Molino Ave., Suite 310, Pasadena, CA 91101 T: 818-905-6484,F: 818-905-6481, E:[email protected] U.S. District Court for the Central District of California T: 626-584-0043, F: 626-795-6138 E: [email protected] 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Armen K. Hovannisian E: [email protected] AD HOC Committees 15456 Valley Vista Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 and T: 213-233-9662, E: [email protected] Antranig Kzirian Genocide Project Committee Chair - ANC Executive Director Professor Ann M. Lousin Amy Hoogasian 104 N. Belmont, Suite 208, Glendale, CA 91206 The John Marshall Law School 5354 N. Ashland Chicago, IL 60640 T: 818- 500-1918, E: [email protected] 315 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604 E: [email protected] T: 312-987-1434, F: 312-427-8307, E: [email protected] Grants Chairs - John J. Lulejian Christine J. Engustian Development/Fundraising Chair - 1500 United States Courthouse 1 Grove Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914 Sara Bedirian 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 60012 T: 401-434-1250 , F: 401-434-2934 Bedirian & Associates T:213-894-2434,F:213-8943713 E:[email protected] E: [email protected] 211 S. Beverly Blvd., Suite 214, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Nigol Manoukian and T: 310-288-9797, F: 310-288-9798 Manoukian & Associates Amy Hoogasian E: [email protected] 1101 N. Pacific Ave., Suite 303, Glendale, CA 91202 5354 N. Ashland, Chicago, IL 60640 T: 818-240-1199 F: 818-240-1120 E: [email protected] Nominations Committee Co-Chairs - E: [email protected] Gary T. Moomjian Membership Development Co-Chairs - Moomjian, Waite, Wactlar & Coleman, LLP Hovanes Margarian Nigol Manoukian 100 Jericho Quadrangle, Ste. 225, Jericho, NY 11753 The Law Offices of Hovanes Margarian Manoukian & Associates T: 516-937-5900, Ext. 47, F: 516-937-5050 13425 Ventura Blvd Ste. 303, Sherman Oaks, CA 91424 1101 N. Pacific Ave., Suite 303, Glendale, CA 91202 E: [email protected] T: 818-990-0418, F: 818-990-1418 T: 818-240-1199 F: 818-240-1120 and E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Vicken I. Simonian and 131 N. El Molino Ave., Suite 310, Pasadena, CA 91101 Martha Mensoian Hovanes Margarian T: 626-584-0043, F: 626-795-6138 E: [email protected] Capstone Holdings Group, LLC. The Law Offices of Hovanes Margarian 44 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005 13425 Ventura Blvd Ste. 303, Sherman Oaks, CA 91424 Website Committee Co-Chairs - E: [email protected] T: 818-990-0418, F: 818-990-1418 Hovanes Margarian E: [email protected] Law Offices of Hovanes Margarian Gary T. Moomjian and Moomjian, Waite, Wactlar & Coleman, LLP 13425 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 303, Sherman Oaks, 91423 (ARMENIA) Vahan Bournazian T: 818.397.9624, F: 818.990.1418 100 Jericho Quadrangle, Ste. 225, Jericho, NY 11753 Assistant Dean, AUA Law T: 516-937-5900, Ext. 47, F: 516-937-5050 E: [email protected] or E: [email protected] Yerevan, ARMENIA 375010 [email protected] T: 374-10-51-27-55, E: [email protected] and Datev K. Shenian and Martha Mensoian Shenian Law Group (CALIFORNIA) Ellin Davtyan Capstone Holdings Group, LLC. 500 S. Grand Ave, 22nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071 333 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1670, Los Angeles, CA 90071 44 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005 T: 213-455-3510, F: 213-455-3510 or (213) 341-2253 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] and A AIMS AND STRUCTURE R ACTIVITIES AND BENEFITS M The Armenian Bar Association is a non-profit, E non-partisan organization, formed in 1989 to enable Some of the Association’s operations include: N attorneys of Armenian heritage and other interested I individuals to better serve the law, the legal profession, • Worldwide Network of Attorneys A and the Armenian community. • Continuing Legal Education, Seminars & N The Association provides pro bono services and Workshops legal education in Armenian communities across the • Pro Bono Program B country and sponsors programs to promote democracy • Rule of Law Projects in the Republic of A and the rule of law in the Republic of Armenia. Armenia R Coming together socially and professionally, • Armenian Rights Watch members from around the world have the opportunity • Annual National Meeting A to learn from one another as they join their different S backgrounds and experiences in Association activities. • Quarterly Newsletter S The Association is a democratic organization. It is • Membership Directory O supported and directed by its members, who approve • Amicus Curiae Submission on Issues of C its bylaws, elect its Board of Governors, nominate Community Interest I prominent jurists as honorary members, and set the • Topical and Regional Practice Groups A Association’s annual goals and policies. • Cooperation with other bar associations and T The Armenian Bar Association is committed to lawyers’ societies I serving the profession of law, addressing the legal O concerns of the Armenian community and fostering N respect for human and civil rights. COMMITTED TO SERVE

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