$ 400-450 per hour
Steven M. Vartabedian
About Steven
Biography
After 29 years of judicial service, 21 of those years as a justice on the Court of Appeal, Steve has returned to private practice specialiizing in presiding over mediation, arbitration and referee/special master proceedings. Additionally, he is available for appelllate advising.
The more than 180 cases that he has authored and published in the California Appellate Reports demonstrate the breadth of his experience. He has a particular depth of experience in cases alleging serious personal injury and product defect including claims of punitive damages. He also has considerable bodies of work in real estate and construction matters, probate, employment law, medical service contract litigation, and agricultural disputes.
The following published cases are represesentative of the cases he has authored:
Yarick v. Pacificare (2009) 179 1158.
Baker Manock & Jensen v. Sup. Ct. (2009) 175 1414.
UAS Mgmt. v. Mater Misericordiae Hosp. (2008) 169 357.
Johnson v. Ford Motor Co. (2005) 135 137.
Horsford v. CSU Trustees (2005) 132 359.
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. v. City of Fresno (2005) 127 Cal. 914.
Sweat v. Big Time Auto Racing (2004) 117 1301.
Romo v. Ford Motor Co. (2003) 113 738 and (2002) 99 738.
Maples v. Kern Assessment Appeals Bd. (2002) 103 172.
Thompson v. Tracor Flight Systems (2001) 86 . 4th 1156.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 50 years
State: California
Acquired: 1975
No misconduct found
Location
Dowling Aaron Incorporated
8080 N. Palm Ave., Suite 300, Fresno, CA, 93711-5797
Law Offices of Steven M. Vartabedian
8080 N Palm Ave 3rd Fl, Fresno, CA, 93711
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Steven M. Vartabedian's Reviews
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Steven M. Vartabedian's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a great mediator and got a very tough case resolved for me and my client."
"I endorse this lawyer. We hired Justice Garabedian (Ret.) on a mediation in one of my biggest caes. He delivered a very methodical and fair result."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I had the pleasure of representing a party in Justice Vartabedian's first mediation after retiring from the bench. The matter settled on fair terms thanks to his effective, hard work. His authoritative, thoughtful and personable approach helped bring the parties to a reasonable resolution. I will certainly call on him for future mediations."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Justice Vartabedian brings his intellect and skill from the Appellate Court to the mediation table. Justice locked in on the key issues in the dispute from the outset, was able to explain to the lawyers and clients the risks and weaknesses of their respective cases and worked very hard to help the parties resolve their differences and settle the case."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Judge Vartabedian is a retired Justice who served on the Fifth District Court of Appeal. He was an honest, thoughtful judge and will be a fine practitioner"
"Justice Vartabedian has an outstanding record on the Court of Appeals giving him an edge as an Appellate specialist, and in mediations involving sophisticated legal issues."
Robert Hillison
Litigation lawyer
John Phillips
Litigation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2004
Outstanding Trustee, Armenian Community School Fresno
1983
Outstanding Contribution to Education, Sanger Unified School District
1975
Magna Cum Laude Honors, Santa Clara University School of Law
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Of Counsel, Dowling Aaron & Keeler
1989 - 2010
Justice, Court of Appeal
1987 - 1989
Judge, Fresno County Superior Court
1983 - 1987
Presiding Judge, Fresno Municipal Court
1981 - 1983
Judge, Sanger Justice Court
1976 - 1983
Attorney, Vartabedian & Poochigian
Associations
2010 - Present
Association of Conflict Resolution
1975 - Present
State Bar of California
1975 - Present
Fresno County Bar Association
1981 - 1992
California Judges Association
1976 - 1983
American Bar Association
Sample of Legal Cases
Ameeruddin,etc,, et al. v. Guarantee Financial Real Estate, etc., et.al.
Case Settled.
Education
1975
Santa Clara University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1972
California State University, Fresno
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2010
Law Day--Stanislaus County
Law Day--50 Years and Beyond
2010
La Raza Attorneys Annual Banquet
Remembering Judge Mario Olmos
2010
Consumer Lawyers/CCTLA Seminar
Collateral Source Rule
2010
California Appellate Institute
Appellate Legacy Presentation
2009
Swearing-in of New Attorneys
The Importance of Balance
2009
Continuing Education: Appellate Practice
Effective Appellate Argument
2006
Kern County Continuing Education
Effective Writ Practice
2003
California Bar Admission Ceremony
New Attorneys
2001
Bridging trhe Gap
Advice for New Attorneys
1996
Biennial Assembly of AEUNA
"From Generation to Generation"
1995
State Bar Program: Knowing Your Appeal
Appellate Practice
1992
Victim's Rights in California (At UOP-McGeorge)
Legal Rights of Victims
Publications
1992
Pacific Law Journal
Enhancing Sentences with Prior Convictions
1987
Judges Journal
Dismissal & Pre-arraignment Delay
1985
Judges Journal
Striking a Delicate Balance in Sex Abuse Cases
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers