Armenian Bar Association Convenes 2026 Midyear Meeting
MALIBU, Calif. — The Armenian Bar Association convened its 2026 Midyear Meeting October 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, October 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
EvershedsSutherland; 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, October 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.
