Honorable Dickran M. Tevrizian (Ret.) is best known for his ability to bring disparate groups together in even the most difficult situations when parties are unyielding. He takes an active role in case management and in settling cases. Recipient of numerous awards and recognized as an “excellent, shining star, great judge, kind human being, and 13 or 14 on a scale of 10,” Judge Tevrizian is widely respected for doing the right thing according to existing law.

Judge Tevrizian received both his undergraduate and professional education from the University of Southern California, graduating with a B.S. in finance and a J.D. in 1962 and 1965, respectively. He was nominated by President Ronald Reagan for a new district court seat created by 98 Stat. 333 on November 7, 1985 and was confirmed by the Senate on December 16, 1985. He assumed senior status on August 5, 2005. In 2001, USC Law School established the Dickran Tevrizian Fund, providing scholarships to needy students struggling to get through law school.

Judge Tevrizian is the recipient of the Emil Gumpert Award for promoting ADR (2005) from the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He received the Distinguished Public Service Award (2003) from the Orange County Federal Bar Association and the Maynard Toll Award for service to the underprivileged (2002) from the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. In 1999, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award. He received the Trial Jurist of the Year Award (1994 – 1995) from the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Trial Judge of the Year Award (1987) from the California Trial Lawyers Association. The judge is also a frequent lecturer on various legal topics at bar associations, California Continuing Legal Education Programs, and State Bar Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Seminars.

Involved in many community organizations, Judge Tevrizian is a member of the Board of Directors of the following organizations: Armenian General Benevolent Union, Glendale Memorial Hospital Foundation, Armenian Eye Care Project, and the Exceptional Children’s Foundation.

After leaving the U.S. District Court in April 2007, Judge Tevrizian is currently a full-time mediator and arbitrator at JAMS, the nation’s largest provider of alternative dispute resolution services.

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County will be the first legal aid agency in the United States to tailor a staff attorney position to address the specific needs of the burgeoning Armenian American community. The primary mission of The Dickran Tevrizian Fellowship Program is to help build organizational infrastructure by providing expert advice and assistance in small businesses development, accessing healthcare, strengthening community capacity and to help bring fair resolutions to the civil legal needs of low-income Armenian Americans in Los Angeles County.