Armenian Bar convenes 2026 midyear meeting

MALIBU, Calif. — Oct. 16, 2026 — The Armenian Bar Association convened its 2026 Midyear Meeting Oct. 9-11, bringing together members of the legal profession, judges, law students and community leaders for a weekend of professional development, substantive legal discussion and reflection on issues central to the Armenian community and the rule of law. Held in Malibu and the greater Los Angeles area, the three-day gathering featured continuing legal education programs, distinguished guest speakers, special award presentations, a general membership meeting and a private viewing of Armenian artifacts at the J. Paul Getty Museum. The program underscored the association’s longstanding commitment to legal excellence, access to justice, human rights and the preservation of Armenian history and cultural heritage. Honoring courage and a commitment to historical truth The meeting opened Friday evening, Oct. 9, with a welcome reception at TUMO Los Angeles in North Hollywood, featuring Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian as a special guest. During the reception, the association presented the Shavarsh Karapetyan Award for Courage and Humanity to brothers Alex and Narek Bazinyan, recognizing their extraordinary bravery and selflessness in rescuing elderly residents from a burning home in Glendale. The award celebrated an act of courage that exemplifies the values of compassion, service and responsibility to others. The weekend’s recognition of public service continued Saturday with the presentation of the Hrant Dink Freedom Award to Dr. Edita Gzoyan, honoring her extraordinary courage and commitment to historical truth, academic integrity, human rights and the preservation of the historical record of the Armenian Genocide. The award reflects the association’s commitment to supporting the integrity of historical scholarship and the unhindered expression of documented truths experienced by the Armenian people. Exploring Armenian wine, commercial arbitration and the legal profession Saturday’s educational program at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law featured two substantive continuing legal education panels examining distinct areas of law, commerce and Armenian cultural life. The morning began with “What’s in a Bottle? The Law, Business & Culture of Armenian Wine,” moderated by Paul Kalemkiarian, host and president of Wine Talks and Wine Talks Productions. Speakers Aimee Keushguerian, founder of Zulal Wines, and attorney and experienced entrepreneur Vahe Yacoubian explored Armenian wine through the intersection of law, business and culture. The discussion highlighted the importance of Armenia’s viticultural heritage and the opportunities associated with developing its contemporary wine industry. The second panel, “Building the Gold Standard: AMCA and the Promotion of Commercial Arbitration in Armenia and Beyond,” examined the role of commercial arbitration in strengthening Armenia’s legal and business environment. Moderated by Grant Hanessian of Hanessian ADR, co-chair of the association’s Armenia Programs Committee, the panel featured Levon Golendukhin of Eversheds Sutherland; Lilit Petrosyan, secretary-general and director of the Arbitration and Mediation Center of Armenia (AMCA), appearing virtually; and Harout Samra of DLA Piper. The discussion addressed the importance of alternative dispute resolution (e.g., arbitration and mediation) in fostering commercial confidence in Armenia and supporting Armenia’s continued development as a destination for business. The program also reflected the association’s ongoing efforts to promote legal institutions and dispute-resolution frameworks that strengthen the rule of law in Armenia. A fireside conversation on advocacy, dispute resolution and the meaning of a lawyer’s life The Saturday luncheon program featured a fireside conversation between the Honorable Sharon L. Kalemkiarian, judge of the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, and professor Thomas J. Stipanowich, William H. Webster chair in Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. The discussion, titled “The Hon. Sharon Kalemkiarian and Pepperdine’s Prof. Thomas J. Stipanowich Discuss ADR, Abraham Lincoln and the Meaning of a (Lawyer’s) Life,” explored themes connecting alternative dispute resolution, legal history, professional responsibility and the broader purpose of a career in law. The luncheon also provided the setting for the presentation of the Hrant Dink Freedom Award to Dr. Gzoyan, bringing together the association’s dedication to professional excellence with its commitment to human rights, historical integrity and freedom of inquiry. Safeguarding Armenian heritage at the Getty The Midyear Meeting concluded Sunday, Oct. 11, with “Safeguarding Armenian Provenance in Museums,” a private viewing of Armenian artifacts at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, including a visit to the Manuscripts Department and the missing pages of the 13th-century Zeytun Gospels, illuminated by Toros Roslin. The program offered a fitting conclusion to a weekend that connected the practice of law with the preservation of cultural memory. By examining Armenian artifacts and their provenance, participants engaged with questions surrounding the stewardship, documentation and preservation of Armenian cultural heritage. The visit also reinforced the importance of scholarship, institutional accountability and sustained attention to the protection of Armenian cultural patrimony. Continuing a tradition of service and leadership By bringing together members of the bench and bar, legal scholars, students and community leaders, the association continues to cultivate a professional community committed not only to excellence in the law but also to the principles of justice, integrity and service that give the legal profession its enduring purpose.

Armenian Bar convenes 2026 midyear meeting

Honoring courage, advancing the rule of law and preserving Armenian heritage

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Armenian Bar Association

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Armenian Bar Association

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