Stepanian brings more than two decades of legal experience to the bench, with a career distinguished by his commitment to criminal defense, advocacy for individual rights, and service to underserved communities.
Since 2015, Stepanian has been a Partner at Weiss and Stepanian LLP, where he has focused on criminal defense and the protection of the constitutional rights of individuals facing criminal prosecution. Throughout his career, he has handled thousands of criminal cases at every stage of proceedings, including arraignments, preliminary hearings, and jury trials. His experience encompasses a broad range of matters, including serious felony offenses, and he has secured jury acquittals in cases carrying potential life sentences, as well as negotiated outcomes resulting in reduced charges and sentences.
Before entering private practice, Stepanian served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Riverside County Public Defender’s Office and as a Staff Attorney at Inland Counties Legal Services. These positions provided a foundation in public service and the representation of individuals who might otherwise face significant barriers to legal representation.
Stepanian’s professional contributions have earned him recognition from his peers and the legal community. Among his honors, he was selected as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star, recognized as Best Attorney for the City of Glendale by Glendale News-Press readers, and named Misdemeanor Attorney of the Year by a County Public Defender’s Office. He has also published articles addressing the ethics of law clerks and private rights of action against law enforcement.
The appointment also reflects the broader significance of the Armenian Bar Association’s longstanding efforts to encourage greater Armenian representation within the judiciary and to foster relationships across the legal profession. At the Association’s Annual Judges’ Night and Awards Dinner, California Governor’s Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes praised the Armenian Bar Association for exemplifying the values of a pluralistic democratic society grounded in the rule of law. He also recognized the Association’s role in strengthening connections across cultural, legal, and political communities, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all communities have the opportunity to participate fully in the American and California experience.
In response to the Armenian Bar Association’s congratulations, Judge Stepanian expressed his enthusiasm for remaining engaged with the Armenian legal community and supporting its future generations.
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