A star-spangled banner of activities at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills on June 12-14 will draw from deep within the veins of our common heritage to herald the Armenian Bar Association’s 25 years of unifying the colorful and distinct fabric of the Armenian nation.
As is its custom, the Armenian Bar will assemble to rededicate itself to the future of the Armenian people with a forward-looking vision that consolidates the redress of injustices with positive and creative expressions of identity and solidarity.
Armen K. Hovannisian, the chairman of the Armenian Bar Association, affirmed, “On the heels of the enormous momentum generated by the Armenian Genocide Centennial commemorations, our wonderful members are amplifying that energy by unveiling a weekend full of fascinating educational programs, special awards presentations, a gala banquet, and even a round of golf to honor our late chairman emeritus. This is going to be one of those extraordinary events where those who attend will be extremely happy they did, and those who miss it will wish they had been there.”
Among the many highlights is a spectacular banquet slated for Sat., June 13, at the Montage Hotel. Beginning with a rooftop reception amidst the soothing string harmonies of world-class instrumentalists, the evening’s main event will feature Prof. Richard G. Hovannisian, a world-renowned scholar of Armenian history, who will be bestowed the association’s highest honor, the Hrant Dink Freedom Award.
Following the conferment of the Hrant Dink Freedom Award, the Armenian Bar will present an award posthumously to the late attorney Robert Kardashian, in recognition of the importance of those who champion the constitutional rights to due process and equal protection under the law, even if in unpopular cases.
“We are so pleased to be able to welcome the family of Robert Kardashian to accept the honor on his behalf and also to recognize their contribution to international recognition of the Armenian Genocide,” said gala banquet co-masters of ceremonies and Armenian Bar Board members Gerard V. Kassabian and Vanna Kitsinian.
With last month’s filing of a groundbreaking lawsuit in Turkey’s Constitutional Court by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, demanding the return of church property in the city of Sis (Kozan), the Armenian Bar Association has brought together a panel of experts in international law to discuss the timely issue of the quest for restorative justice. Moderated by the Armenian Bar’s co-vice-chair, Edvin Minassian, the panel will feature Prof. Payam Akhavan, the lead attorney representing the Holy See of Cilicia; Karnig Kerkonian, a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Chicago School of Law who holds a post-doctoral diploma in international law from Cambridge University; Steve Dadaian, assistant chief counsel of the California Department of Transportation who has extensively researched and participated in efforts to obtain reparations through his work with the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Bar Association; and Seepan Parseghian of the Snell & Wilmer law firm who has worked at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which was established to prosecute persons responsible for the Rwandan Genocide.
For those seeking the latest tips on effective litigation in the federal courts, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Zaven Sinanian has assembled an all-star panel of judges on the subject, including U.S. District Court Judges Andre Birotte, Jr., Larry Burns, and Dickran Tevrizian (ret.), and U.S> District Court Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian. During a recent interview, Judge Sinanian stated, “We are so fortunate to have a panel of such esteemed judges with the extensive breadth of experience and knowledge as our panelists. This panel will be unrivaled among continuing education panels.”
In addition to the outstanding educational programs and the gala banquet festivities, the association has scheduled networking and recreational activities for members and guests to create new, and develop existing, relationships. The weekend will kick-off on Friday morning with a golf tournament at Rancho Park Golf Course in West Los Angeles; all proceeds from the event will be dedicated to the Vicken I. Simonian Scholarship Fund, which was established last year in honor and memory of the Armenian Bar’s chairman emeritus.
Following the Friday golf tournament, guests of the Annual Meeting will gather in the evening at the chic and stylish Via Alloro in Beverly Hills for a warm welcome reception and an upbeat roundup, making it fun and easy to meet, mingle, and make merry.
“For more than 25 years now, the Armenian Bar Association has had as its fundamental purposes the creation of a dynamic commonwealth of legal professionals and law students, the protection of the rights of the Armenian people around the world, and the establishment of democratic institutions and the rule of law in Armenia. Our organizing committee has been hard at work putting together an outstanding silver anniversary meeting, altogether fitting for this momentous occasion,” said Armen Hovannisian.
For more information about the Armenian Bar Association’s Annual National Meeting Weekend and to make plans to attend, visit www.armenianbar.com, write to armenianbar@armenianbar.com, or call (818) 645-2811.
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I was wondering I never see Michael Stephanians namw wasn’t he an attorney a very very good one I only say this as 35 40 yrs ago my mother used to do his mothers hair and he had written a couple of books and when my husband left me he was so gracious as to call me from Tunisia (at the time I believe he was vacationing there) and asked if I needed his assistance Brilliant man just wondering