Hancock Park, California-The stately home of Gary and Arsine Phillips served as the location for a dinner reception under the stars on a beautiful fall evening on September 15, 2006. The reception served as both a social mixer and a fund raising event for the Armenian Bar Association’s law student scholarship fund. Over 100 judges, attorneys, law students and guests attended the reception. Over $3,000.00 was raised at the event.
“The reception was yet another successful event for our organization, and reinforced our commitment to assisting Armenian law students in the United States and Armenia, ” said Betty Jamgotchian, Executive Director of the Armenian Bar Association. “We are very happy to once again provide an avenue for our colleagues in the legal community to meet, exchange ideas, and become educated about our goals,” said Jamgotchian.
Gary Phillips is the managing partner of the prestigious law firm of Astor and Phillips, and Arsine Phillips is a partner in the preeminent law firm of Parker, Milliken, Clark, O’Hara and Samuelian. In addition to being the generous hosts of the reception, each was responsible for a $1,000.00 donation on behalf of their firms to the Armenian Bar Association. “We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity of the Phillips family,” said Jamgotchian.
Several judges from the Los Angeles County court system were in attendance, including former Presiding Judge Malcolm Mackey, Ronald Sohigian, Alice Altoon and Zaven Sinanian. Sohigian, Altoon and Sinanian have unselfishly lent their time to participate in lectures organized by the Armenian Bar on several occasions over the years. Sinanian is a former Chairman of the Board of Governors, and Altoon is a current Board member.
Altoon, who was named an Honorary Life Member of the Armenian Bar at the Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in April, 2006, was presented with a handsome acrylic plaque recognizing her induction into the elite group of Honorary Members. Frank Zerunyan, a City Councilman from the City of Rolling Hills Estates, and the current Chairman of the Board of Governors gave a moving introduction of Judge Altoon, after updating those in attendance about upcoming activities, and encouraging donations to the organization. Altoon followed with an inspirational acceptance speech in which she thanked the Armenian Bar, and stressed the importance of the student scholarship fund.
Former Chairman Vicken Simonian served as Master of Ceremonies and gave a heartwarming introduction of the Phillips family, including their daughters, Christina and Ashley, both of whom are outstanding students and long distance runners at Marlboro High School, one of the top college preparatory schools in the country. Gary Phillips' father George Sr., the founding partner of Astor and Phillips. He has received many honors over the years, including being named the AGBU’s “Man of the Year” in 2005.
Those in attendance were treated to a delicious array of Armenian and Middle Eastern delicacies provided by La Fogata. The participants enjoyed an evening of fine foods and libations while making and renewing friendships. The event also provided an excellent opportunity for networking.
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