Southwestern Law School, Armenian Justice Ministry launch fellowship

PanARMENIAN.Net - Southwestern Law School has partnered with the Republic of Armenia’s Ministry of Justice to create an opportunity for an American-trained lawyer to spend a year working directly with the Ministry to cultivate Armenia’s legal system.

The inaugural Southwestern Armenia Fellow will be selected for the fall of 2012, Asbarez reported.

“A stable legal system is key to Armenia’s continued growth and development, and having the cooperation of Southwestern Law School in our endeavor is truly inspired as well as inspirational,” said Grigor Hovhannissian, Consul General to the Republic of Armenia. “I hope that our Diaspora community will also be inspired and lend its generous support to the Southwestern Armenia Fellowship with Armenia’s Ministry of Justice.” The Armenian Bar Association is also supporting the Fellowship and has designated a representative, Armen Hovannisian, to work with Southwestern on this project.

The Southwestern Armenia Fellowship was created in response to a call by Hrayr Tovmasyan, Armenia’s Minister of Justice, who recently asked the Armenian legal community in the Diaspora to have American-trained legal professionals help in the development of Armenia’s legal system. Upon finalizing the agreement with Southwestern to establish the Fellowship, he said, “Armenia’s Ministry of Justice is delighted to have this unprecedented cooperation between the Ministry and Southwestern Law School for advancing the rule of law in Armenia.”

Southwestern embraces the opportunity to serve a developing country and its people who are important to many within the law school community. A large contingent of Southwestern alumni is of Armenian heritage, and the Armenian Law Students’ Association is one of the most active on campus. According to Dean Bryant Garth, “Not only is this a nice opportunity to contribute to the justice system in Armenia, but it is also an opportunity to develop a cadre of Southwestern graduates skilled and experienced in promoting the rule of law.”

A kick-off reception to announce the unique partnership was hosted in February by Gerard Kassabian (‘01) and was a tremendous success in garnering immediate interest, enthusiasm and support for this new venture. The goal of the Armenia Fellowship Executive Committee is to raise $300,000 to sustain the Fellowship for at least five years. The committee is seeking substantial multi-year pledges to help secure the Fellowship’s launch next fall as well as its long-term success.

The Southwestern Armenia Fellow will serve in Yerevan, Armenia, and will work directly with the Ministry for a one-year, full-time position.