Associate Justice, Fifth Appellate District BAR ADMISSION: Admitted to California Bar in December 1975 EDUCATION: J.D. magna cum laude, Santa Clara University School of Law; B.A. with honors California State University, Fresno. PROFESSIONAL LEGAL BACKGROUND: Partner in Private Law Practice of Vartabedian and Poochigian, 1976-1983, emphasizing real estate litigation and family law. JUDICIAL BACKGROUND: Justice, Court of Appeal 1989-present. Judge, Fresno County Superior Court 1987-1989 (criminal presiding); Judge, Fresno Municipal Court 1983-1987 (presiding). Judge, Sanger Justice Court 1981-83. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES/ASSOCIATIONS/AFFILIATIONS: Board of Visitors, Santa Clara University Law School 1992-1994. Planning Committee, Appellate Court Institute, California Center for Judicial Education and Research 1991. EDUCATIONAL/PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND AWARDS: Outstanding Contribution to Education Award, Sanger Unified Schools 1982. Phi Kappa Phi Honor Scholastic Society. PROFESSIONAL TEACHING/EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES: State Bar Program Lecturer “To Appeal or Not to Appeal” 1995. Symposium Speaker “Victims’ Rights in California,” University of the Pacific 1992. Author of various articles on sentencing, court delays and sex abuse cases in Pacific Law Journal and Judges’ Journal. Lecturer, Business Law, California State University Fresno 1976-1981. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Trustee, Armenian Community School 1998; Secretary, Sanger Youth Football 1981-1982; Boardmember, World Impact Inner-City Youth Outreach 1981.