Biography

The Hon. Zaven V. Sinanian is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. He was appointed to the bench on June 5, 2002, by former Governor Gray Davis. He filled the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. David Perez (Ret.).

Judge Sinanian received his B.A. from Northern Illinois University in 1982. He graduated in 1984 with his M.A. from American University, Washington D.C. in 1987. He went on to earn his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1987.

Sinanian became a deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice's Office of the Attorney General in 1989. During his time with the A.G.'s office, Sinanian was assigned to their criminal and civil divisions where he prosecuted cases at the federal and state level. He remained with the A.G.'s office until his appointment to the Superior Court in 2002.

Some of his many memberships have included the Armenian Bar Association, the California Judges Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, as well as the JES Civil Education Committee. He was also appointed to serve on the Judicial Council Advisory Committee on Access and Fairness.

Judge Sinanian has served as a panelist for the Continuing Legal Education Center.

Judge Sinanian, who is of Armenian descent, was recognized at the Armenian Bar Association's annual Judges Night Gala in 2015 for his judicial accomplishments.

In 1992 Sinanian took a sabbatical from his duties at the A.G.'s office to offer his assistance in support of the Armenian government’s efforts to establish a foreign ministry.