Armenian Bar Association honors public servants in New York
Greater New York legal community celebrates public service at Armenian Bar dinner
The Armenian Bar Association held its annual Public Servants Dinner on April 23, 2026, at the Yale Club of New York City, honoring civil rights attorney Armen H. Merjian and Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas. The event, held on the eve of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, drew judges, federal judiciary members, and legal leaders from across New York. Merjian, a leading advocate for HIV/AIDS rights, reflected on how his grandparents' experience as genocide orphans shaped his commitment to justice. Judge Zayas, the chief administrative judge of New York State overseeing 3,300 judges and 17,000 employees, discussed how Armenian heritage and historical suffering create a "moral bridge" connecting Armenians to broader struggles for justice. The evening included remarks from judicial officials and performances of classical Armenian, Italian, and Broadway songs.
