NEWSLETTER A PUBLICATION FOR 1989 MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE ARMENIAN BAR ASSOCIATION Volume 23, Number 1 Spring 2011 California Supreme Court Chief Justice Message from the Chair Tani Cantil-Sakauye To Headline t has been a true pleasure Armenian Bar Association’s Annual Iand honor for me to serve as the National Meeting In San Francisco Chairman of the Armenian Bar Association since May 2010. With Edvin Minassian the support of a great team of Board members as well as committee chairpersons, we have done our best to achieve the principal objectives of the ArmenBar. We have conducted public forums and lectures, engaged in pro bono programs, educated the Armenian community regarding their legal rights, sponsored amicus briefs in legal matters of utmost importance to the Armenian Nation, promoted the fair administration Transamerica Pyramid building in Downtown San Francisco of justice, provided professional special tour of the California professionals will be complemented education to our members to enhance Supreme Court followed by with an array of fun and exciting social their legal careers through skills a luncheon with Chief Justice events. The elegant Marriott Union development, while also providing A networking opportunities. Tani Cantil-Sakauye are the one-two Square will serve as the headquarters punch of a momentous start of the and host for the spectacular weekend. We had a superb Mid-Year Meeting Armenian Bar Association’s 22nd “I can think of no better place than in Providence, Rhode Island, which Annual National Meeting in one of San Francisco and no better time than See Message from the Chair, pg. 22 the world’s most beautiful places, San the warmth and promise of Spring to Francisco, from April 29 - May 1, 2011. bring together, family-style, all of our IN THIS ISSUE Leading the homeland’s team across the dear members and guests to participate Diaspora-to-Armenia bridge directly in a truly ground-breaking conference,” Providence Mid-Year Meeting Recap.............2 into everyone’s favorite city will be said ArmenBar Chairperson Edvin U.S. Attorney Birotte honored at Reception....3 the Justice Minister of the Republic of Minassian. “We are delighted by the Members in the News..........................................4 Armenia, Hrayr Tovmasyan. prospect of offering to our membership Conference in Las Vegas....................................6 In the rich tradition of the Association’s and community some real quality time Armenian Bar Honors Krekorian/McCoy........7 annual gatherings, fascinating with Supreme Court Justices, Armenia’s Federal Court Validates Recovery....................9 Public Service Award Recepiant.....................10 discussions of broad and contemporary Corthouse to be Named after Deukmejian..13 interest to Armenian-American legal See Annual Meeting Preview, pg. 15 2 Spring 2011 Providence Hosts Mid-Year Meeting Featuring Rhode Island’s Attorney General, Warwick Mayor, And Family Court Chief Justice Bedrosian he ArmenBar’s Mid-Year Meeting, which convened Tin Providence, Rhode Island from October 8-10, 2010, proved to be a success both on profession- al and social levels. Conferees par- ticipated in a number of Armenbar sponsored seminars and visited many of New England’s historical sites relating to the American Rev- olution, the whaling industry, and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. Rhode Island Attorney General L-R Standing: Talar Iskanian-Hashasian, Gary Moomjian, Denise Darmanian, Harry Dikranian, Patrick Lynch delivered cordial re- ArmenBar Member, Robert Adourian, Sonya Nersessian, Edvin Minassian, Kathryn Ossian, Sarah marks at the welcoming reception Bederian, Jacklin Boyadjian, John Lulejian, and Nigol Manoukian. L-R Sitting: Christine J. Engustian, and Diana Okeov. at Camille’s Restaurant, a city din- ing icon for decades. Following the words that resonated deeply with 2010 as Deputy Assistant Admin- Attorney General’s address, Rhode conference participants. Warwick istrator of the U.S. Environmental Island’s Chief Judge of the Family Mayor Scott Avedisian described ǯ ϐ - Court, Haiganoush Bedrosian, add- Warwick’s many attractions (along forcement and Compliance Assur- ed her own warm welcome and in- with many others in the state) and ance. Following Mr. Boghosian’s cluded references to her family’s welcomed conference participants presentation on legal issues tied to inspiring experiences in America, to see them for themselves, which environment protection, Jeff Ma- they were fortunate to be able to sarjian, Executive Director of The do. Finally, Rhode Island Bar As- Armenia Tree Project, Inc., focused sociation President Lise Iwon ex- on the social factors at work, and pressed the collective welcome of ϐ ǡ the state’s legal community and when ordinary people take it upon praised Chief Judge Bedrosian’s themselves to work together to- excellent work. The array of spe- wards restoring the environment. cial guests on Friday evening was A third speaker, Rachel Brown, very impressive, and each one of spoke of her involvement in pro- them spoke eloquently. moting sustainable agriculture in Three conference panels con- the Republic of Armenia through vened on October 9. A featured the work of Heifer International, speaker on the environmental Inc. Ǧϐ - Rhode Island’s Michael Varadian, mental lawyer, Matt Bogoshian. Executive Director of the Depart- Formerly California’s Deputy Sec- ment of Health’s Environmental retary of Law Enforcement respon- and Health Services Regulations, sible for California’s Environmen- spoke about national health re- tal Enforcement Initiative, he was Armenian Heritage Park, Providence, RI appointed by President Obama in See Mid-Year Providence, pg. 18 Armenian Bar Association Newsletter 3 Armenian Bar Honors United States Attorney André Birotte, Jr. lendale, California – Appointed and valuable lead- by President Barack Obama and ership position Gconfirmed unanimously by the in legal and local U.S. Senate to one of the most elite feder- institutions and al positions, United States Attorney An- causes. “It is im- dré Birotte, Jr. was the featured speaker portant to work at a sold-out gathering organized by the with our commu- L-R: Vice Chair Garo Ghazarian, Chair Edvin Minassian, U.S. Attorney Armenian Bar Association on February nity,” said Mr. Bi- André Birotte, Jr., and Assistant US Attorney/Boardmember John Lulejian 24, 2011. rotte and continu- ing with “coming star when both were Assistant U.S. At- With more than two hundred judges, torneys. lawyers and law students in attendance from Haiti, I would always remember at the Phoenicia restaurant, Mr. Birotte the emblem associated with their flag, In attendance was a full roster of judi- was recognized for his dedication to ‘With unity we build strength,’ and this cial leaders and law enforcement brass public service and for his sustained is a statement that lives with me today, on both the federal and state levels, commitment and contributions to law and will continue to. That saying has elected officials, as well as a wide spec- enforcement, victims’ and civil rights, been a major guideline in my life, and a trum of leaders and representatives public integrity, and the legal profession. major guideline we work by.” Mr. Birotte from the Armenian community, includ- looked to ArmenBar for helping bring ing Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen In the words of ArmenBar Chairman unity and strength to the Armenian Trutanich, Archbishop Hovnan Derde- Edvin Minassian, “The enthusiastic re- community. On a personal note, he ex- rian—Primate of the Western Diocese sponse of the capacity crowd reflects pressed great praise and respect for for- of the Armenian Church, former Los the Association’s deep devotion to pro- mer ArmenBar Board member Federal Angeles County District Attorney Rob- fessional excellence and, just as impor- Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian ert Philibosian, U.S. Magistrate Judge tantly, to our firm commitment to the who guided and mentored the rising Jacqueline Chooljian, and retired U.S. Armenian community and to the rule of District Court Judge Dickran Tevrizian. law.” Mr. Minassian expressed his orga- nization’s resolve and successful results Los Angeles County Superior Court in acting as the community’s gatekeep- Judges in attendance included Site Su- er for the protection of its rights and the pervising Judges of Los Angeles County education about its responsibilities. Superior Courts in the cities of Burbank and Glendale, Patrick Hegarty and Fred Garo Ghazarian, ArmenBar Vice- Rotenberg, respectively; Kevin Brazile, Chairman, and Dean of the Peoples Soussan Bruguera, Ruth Kwan, Mark College of Law, served as Master of Mooney, and ArmenBar past Chair- Ceremonies with a smooth and perfect man Zaven Sinanian. Brazile and Sina- blend of humor and respectfulness. The nian are on the Board of the California large gathering was addressed by Chair- Judges Association. Also in attendance man Edvin Minassian, Board members were Michael Garcia, the Chief Assistant Hovanes Margarian and Assistant U.S. City Attorney of Glendale, Gary Schram, Attorney John Lulejian, who delivered Chief of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s an inspiring introduction of Mr. Birotte. Bureau of Investigation and President Rising to the podium to a rousing of the California Police Officers’ Me- ovation, Mr. Birotte singled out the Ar- see Armenian Bar Honors, pg 17 menian Bar Association for its unique L-R: City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, Jacklin Boyadjian and U.S. Attorney André Birotte Jr. 4 Spring 2011 Members in the News and on the Move Mark Mustian, of Tallahassee, County Bar Association. During a member of U.S. Foreign Rela- Florida, and Armenian Bar mem- the Fall 2010, she has made pre- tions Council. ber wrote a novel, entitled THE sentations on immigration law for GENDARME, about a 92-year old The American Bar Assn., Beverly Congratulations are in order for Hills Bar Assn., Australian Ameri- Armenian Bar Vice-Chair Chris- can Assn., and Southwestern Law tine Engustian who was honored School. by Boston University Law Alumni as the recipient of the 2011 Pro Former Chairman Vicken Si- Bono Alumni Award at a celebra- monian received the Covetted tion in Barristers Hall.