Ordubegian Featured on Being Named AFS Los Angeles Office Managing Partner

“ArentFox Schiff has been in LA for almost 20 years. We’re expanding. We’re not going anywhere,” Aram said. “I look forward to leading that charge going forward.”

Congratulations on becoming office managing partner! How did this come about?

Both the firm and the office are in a stable place. We don’t have a lot of turnover. The reason why that happens is that we don’t do out of the ordinary shifts of leadership and the like. These types of transitions are planned out and executed in a joint fashion, like Aaron and I have done it. So it wasn’t a surprise. That was because we were doing it hand-in-hand.

Why me? I’ve been in the LA office for a while. Hopefully, I’m the right pick for the person with the leadership skills to handle it. I’ve run and been part of several boards, both in the public sector and the private sector. Maybe that’s what did it. I guess I’m trying to avoid saying, “Because I’m such a good guy.” About eight or nine years ago I was elected onto the firm’s compensation committee. We do that by election. Then that led to me getting elected to the executive committee. I guess I honed my leadership skills in those firmwide committees and opportunities.

When did it become obvious you were the heir apparent?

About two years ago, a new firmwide managing partner, Brian Waldman, came in. That was after our merger with the Schiff Hardin firm. It was thought that it’s always positive for an office and a firm to have new leadership. There’s a renewal that occurs.

The issue of having a new office managing partner was on the agenda. At the same time, Aaron [Jacoby] had been doing this for a while. He wanted to continue to expand his thriving auto and transportation practice. It was sort of a perfect hand-in-glove, step-by-step process. It was a renewal at the firm level and at the office level. I shadowed Aaron and did all of those learning things. I’m on the executive committee with him, so in many ways, I already knew what many of the management aspects were.

What are your plans for the office?

I want to make sure I don’t break it. The office is doing fine. We’re thriving. The first rule is, “Do no harm.” That’s what I plan on doing. I really want us to continue to grow the office. ArentFox Schiff has been in LA for almost 20 years. We’re expanding. We’re not going anywhere. I look forward to leading that charge going forward. I’m the third managing partner in LA [in the history of the office]. I really want to help this place thrive for the long run. That’s my plan.

What I learned being head of our cannabis law practice is you have to be ready and nimble enough to jump onto new opportunities in the law. I’m hoping to grow out the LA office further. We [moved into] a brand-new, beautiful office [in December 2024]. It’s a very welcoming place both technologically and the office design. I’m hoping others will see that and our ranks will grow. Anytime we can expand upon the practice groups that we have within the office, we’re going to do that. That is something I absolutely want to do.

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