ANCG, ABA, NLS First Legal Clinic an Overwhelming Success
June 7, 2010

Glendale, CA – The Armenian National Committee of Glendale in partnership with the Armenian Bar Association and Neighborhood Legal Services of LA County held its first free legal clinic on June 2nd at the Glendale Youth Center.  The event drew over 100 community members who waited in line as long as two hours prior to the start of the clinic to consult with volunteer attorneys regarding a wide range of legal issues.

“We had a fantastic turnout at our first legal clinic, which proves that there is a great need in the community for such services.  Due to such an overwhelming positive response from the community, we intend to make this a permanent program at the GYC,” stated Elen Asatryan, Executive Director of ANC Glendale.  “ANC Glendale thanks the ABA, NLS and all the attorneys and translators for helping make this event a great success and looks forward to building on the first clinic to serve the community,” added Asatryan.

The clinic provided community members an opportunity to receive guidance from attorneys in various areas of law including  immigration, landlord/tenant, civil, small claims, family law, criminal matters, trusts, will and estates.   After the intake process was completed, individuals were assigned to meet with and discuss their issue with an attorney on a one on one basis.  The attorneys offered information and assistance only. Where a referral was requested, an approved list from the Los Angeles County Bar Association and Glendale Bar Association was provided. Helpful information handouts were also provided to the community members, including legal information pamphlets in Armenian from NLS and ArmenBar.

The volunteer ArmenBar attorneys included Varoujan Agemian, Sarkis Babachanian, Sara Bedirian, Ani Garikian, Victor Hairapetian, Armen Hovannisian, Raymond Hovsepian, Alice Yardum-Hunter, Saro Kerkonian, Azniv Ksachikian, Nigol Manoukian, Hovanes Margarian, Sarkis Ourfalian Vicken Simonian and Zareh Sinanyan.

"Our free legal clinic was a tremendous success thanks to efforts of the ANCG, NLS, and the numerous attorneys who donated their time to help our community," said Vicken Simonian, past Chairman of ArmenBar. "Special thanks are in order to Sarkis Ourfalian and Elen Asatryan of the ANCG and Alina Azizian of NLS for their tireless work in organizing the clinic. We look forward to future collaborative functions, and expect the clinic to become a regular event," said Simonian.

A number of volunteers from the ANCG and NLS were on hand at the clinic to greet the community members, help them fill out an intake questionnaire, then take them to the appropriate attorney for assistance. Where needed, the volunteers also served as interpreters.

The Armenian National Committee-Glendale Chapter advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city's Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

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