Steven M. Vartabedian Justice (Ret.)
Dowling Aaron Incorporated
After 29 years of judicial service, 21 years of that as a justice of the California Court of Appeal, Steve is now available for mediations, arbitrations and referee work. He can also give advice on appeals and writs. He has a broad spectrum of experience, as is reflected by more than 180 opinions authored and published by him in the California Appellate Reports. He has a particular depth of experience in cases alleging serious personal injury and product defect, including those alleging punitive damages. He also has a strong background in real estate and construction cases, employment law, medical service disputes and agricultural matters. As both a trial judge and on the appellate bench, he has assisted many parties in settling their cases prior to adjudication.
Prior to taking the bench, Steve was in private practice with Charles Poochigian. His practice emphasized real estate and family law litigation.
- Santa Clara University School of Law
- J.D. | Law
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- Honors: Graduated with magna cum laude honors.
- California State University - Fresno
- B.A. | Political Science
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- Honors: Honors graduate
- Dowling Aaron Incorporated
- Current
- Mediator
- Steven M. Vartabedian, Mediator
- Current
- Of Counsel
- Dowling Aaron & Keeler
- - Current
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Justice
- California Court of Appeal, 5th Appellate District
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- Steve frequently acted as acting presiding justice concerning the thousands of cases he handled. The following is a sampling of published cases authored by him over the past 5 years: Yarick v. Pacificare (2009)179 CA4th 1158. Baker Manock & Jensen v. Sup. Ct. (2009) 175 CA4th 1414. UAS Mgmt. v. Mater Misercordiae Hospital (2008) 169 CA4th 357. Garcia v. Paramount Citrus (2008)164 CA4th 1448. D.H. Williams Construction v. Clovis Unified School Dist. (2007) 146 CA4th 757. Johnson v. Ford Motor Co. (2005) 135 CA4th 137. Horsford v. Cal. State Univ. Trustees (2005) 132 CA4th 359.
- Judge
- Fresno Superior Court
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- Presiding Judge
- Fresno Municipal Court
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- Judge
- Sanger Justice Court
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- Enhancing Sentences with Prior Convictions
- 23 Pacific Law Journal 1051
- Dismissal and Pre-Arraignment Delay
- 26 Judges' Journal (No. 1) 31
- Striking a Delicate Balance in Sex Abuse Cases
- 24 Judges' Journal (No. 4) 16
- Outstanding Board Member
- Armenian Community School of Fresno
- Outstanding Contribution to Education
- Sanger Unified School District
- Awarded primarily for work with truants and their parents
- American Arbitration Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Association of Conflict Resolution
- Member
- - Current
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- Fresno County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Center for Judicial Education and Research
- Presenter, Appellate Justices Institute
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- Consumer Attorneys of California & Central California Trial Lawyers Association
- Seminar Presenter: Collateral Source Rule
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- Administrative Offices of the Courts
- Member, Appellate Courts Legacy Committee
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- California State Bar
- Program Speaker, Legal Education Program on Appellate Practice
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- Member, Board of Visitors
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- Center for Judicial Education and Research
- Member, Appellate Curriculum Committee
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- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
- Panelist, Symposium--"Victims' Rights in California"
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- California Judges Association
- Member
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- American Bar Association
- Member
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- California
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
$400-450/hr
- Appeals & Appellate
- Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Business Arbitration, Consumer Arbitration, Family Arbitration
- Website
- Dowling Aaron Incorporated Website