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ARMEN AKARAGIAN

Partner

Armen Akaragian has been with the firm since 1999. Admitted to practice in 2006, Armen has arbitrated, tried, and settled several cases which have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.

Some of the largest entities Armen has represented the firm’s clients against include Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Toyota Motor Corporation, Marriott International, Inc., Kiewit Construction, Continental Tire, Land Rover, State of California, Chrysler Motors, Emerson Electric, and Honeywell International.

Armen is dedicated to helping injured victims fight for the justice they deserve

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Major Victories

In 2009, Armen was nominated for the coveted Consumer Trial Attorney of the Year Award by the Consumer Attorneys of California, a statewide organization, following his involvement in the case of Pannu v. Land Rover. This complex product liability case, which was litigated for more than seven years, tried over eight weeks, and underwent a two-year appellate process, ultimately resulted in a fully affirmed judgment in excess of $25,000,000.00. Most notably, the published Court of Appeal opinion set precedent in the State of California, excluding from evidence crucial testing that automobile manufacturers have relied upon in defending complex product liability cases for decades. 

In 2011, Armen again was recognized for his accomplishments by the Armenian Bar Association as one of the top 20 lawyers under 40.  This was the first time this award had been given out by the Bar Association.  

In 2013, Armen was one of the trial attorneys in the first bellwether case tried to verdict, Uno v. Toyota, in the about 300 coordinated cases against Toyota arising from unintended acceleration incidents.  The trial lasted for more than three months and resulted in a jury verdict in the amount of $10,000,000.00 for the untimely death of a 66-year-old wife and mother.  The case ultimately settled in 2015 at the Appellate Court steps. At that time, the judgment which also included costs and interest, exceeded $13,000,000.00.

During the trial in Uno v. Toyota, the California Court of Appeal published its opinion in Purton v. Marriott International, Inc., reversing a grant of summary judgment. The Court of Appeal eventually held that an employer could still be responsible for the acts of its employee who became intoxicated at a company party even if the employee arrived home safely from the party, then left his house and was subsequently involved in a crash. 

In 2018, two wrongful death cases Armen was involved in settled for multimillion dollar amounts. In Castro v. Green Farms, a truck accident case, $10,635,655.00 was obtained for the sons of Lisa Chavez. In Mendoza v. County of Los Angeles, a police shooting case, $14,350,000.00 was obtained for the family of Frank Mendoza Sr.

In 2019, the California Court of Appeal published another case tried by Armen, Lewis v. Ukran. In 2018, Armen obtained a verdict for $1,654,000.00 after the defendant in the case only offered $150,000.00. Eventually, the defendant paid more than $2,650,000.00 after appeal.

In 2022, Armen secured $1,437,200.00 for Hozelito Duric, who suffered life-altering injuries after being hit by a car that was making an unsafe turn in front of his electric motorcycle. Despite the Defendant’s claim that Mr. Duric was responsible for his own injuries, Armen was able to successfully demonstrate that it was in fact the driver of the car who bore liability for causing the accident. This verdict was later named one of the Top 100 California Verdicts in 2022 by Top Verdict.

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Southern California Native Dedicated to Law

Armen was born and raised in Southern California and has lived in the Los Angeles area his entire life. His desire to practice law began at an early age when he got his first job in the legal profession in 1999 working for Garo Mardirossian. Since that time, Armen has worked tirelessly in the legal field, including attending law school at night so he could continue to work through school.

Armen believes that hard work, dedication, and listening are the keys to success in the profession. Armen not only looks at his role as his client’s lawyer, but also as their counselor.

When not working, Armen enjoys spending time with his friends and family and participating in different activities, including soccer, weightlifting, wake boarding, boating, and racing.

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Rising Star

Armen has been recognized as a powerhouse Los Angeles attorney in the last fifteen years. In 2009, he was nominated for Consumer Attorney of the Year, and he was selected by the Armenian Bar Association as one of their “20 Rising Stars Under 40” between 2011 and 2012. Most recently, Armen was named a “Rising Star” by Southern California Super Lawyers, 2013 – 2016.

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Published Works

• Automotive Technical Service Bulletins: The Silent Recall, Advocate Magazine, April, 2008
• Sukhsagar Pannu v. Land Rover North America, Inc. et al., 191 Cal.App.4th 1298 (2011)
• Purton v. Marriott Int’l, Inc., 218 Cal. App. 4th 499 (2013)
• Lewis v. Ukran, 36 Cal. App. 5th 886 (2019)
• Tansavatdi v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes, 60 Cal. App. 5th 423 (2021)

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Education

Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, California

• Juris Doctor – 2005
• Honors: Dean’s List

California State University of Northridge, Northridge, CA, USA

• B.S. – 2002
• Major: Business

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Awards

• Nominated Consumer Attorney of the Year, 2009
• Selected by the Armenian Bar Association as one of their “20 Rising Stars Under 40”, 2011 – 2012
• Named a “Rising Star” by Southern California Super Lawyers, 2013 – 2016
• Western Diocese of The Armenian Church Honoree, 2019

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Professional Associations

Bar Admissions

• California, 2006
• U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2006

Additional Memberships

• Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Member
• Consumer Attorneys Association of California, Member
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation Section Executive Committee
• Armenian Bar Association, Member

Directories

• Avvo
• HG
• FindLaw
• Super Lawyers

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Contact Armen About Your Case