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The Law Offices of Geragos & Geragos [By Aundi Howerton] Arguably the most well-known, high-profile clientele-laden attorney in Los Angeles and possibly the country, Mark Geragos is the managing partner of the 13-partner firm Geragos & Geragos. The firm opened when he was just 12 years old; but now Mark Geragos, along with his father and 11 other lawyers, practices out of recently acquired historical real estate in downtown L.A. Many have quipped that the 6th and Figueroa building, a firehouse for the first half of the 20th century, is exactly the venue needed for the Geragos specialty: putting out fires. The firm, having rented for the past 20 years, is thrilled with the architectural acquisition.
Mark Geragos graduated from Haverford
Geragos may be better known, however,
firm, Shelley Kaufman, has a federal
College in 1979 and then from Loyola Law
for his role in defending many pop-culture
court-published opinion in which the court
School in 1982. He was admitted to the
icons as well as other high-profile criminal
determined that an arrestee who has been
California state bar in 1985 and, soon after,
cases. Before being replaced early on,
sexually harassed by a police officer has had
began practicing with his father. The firm
Geragos defended Michael Jackson in his
his or her rights violated.
has grown steadily since then to include the
molestation trial. He also defended rap star
following areas of practice: administrative
Nate Dogg, gaining him a dismissal of arson,
Mark Geragos leads his team in terms of
law, appeals, civil rights, civil trial practice,
kidnapping, and criminal-threat charges. He
awards and recognition, having received
commercial litigation, criminal trial practice,
won Bill Clinton’s brother, Roger Clinton, a
the 1999 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award
personal injury, real estate law, and tax law.
dismissal of DUI charges, as well. As Winona
from the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Bar
Ryder’s counsel, Geragos landed an easy
Association, the 2001 Humanitarian of the
The Geragoses are of Armenian descent and
three years’ probation with supplementary
Year Award from the Mexican American
maintain a close relationship with and support
psychological and drug counseling for $5,500
Grocers Association, and the 2006 Attorney
for the Armenian community. Most notably,
shoplifting charges. In addition, he defended
of the Year honor from California Lawyer
Mark Geragos was a leading lawyer in a class
both former congressman Gary Condit, who
magazine, among many others. He has
action lawsuit against AXA and New York
was questioned regarding the disappearance
appeared on Larry King Live, The Today
Life Insurance. Policies were issued by both
of Chandra Levy, as well as Scott Peterson,
Show, Good Morning America, 60 Minutes,
companies in the early 1900s to Armenian
who stood trial for the murder of his wife and
and On the Record.
victims of the Turkish genocide. The cases
unborn child. On the Net
were settled for more than $37.5 million in 2004 and 2005. In a similar suit, Geragos took
The strength of the Geragos team does
on two German banks that profited from,
not end with Mark Geragos. Several of his
The Law Offices of Geragos & Geragos
concealed, and prevented the recovery of
partners are well known for their work
www.geragos.com
Armenian families’ assets deposited prior
in civil and criminal litigation. George
to the genocide as well as assets deposited
Buehler, for example, is on the board of
Armenian National Institute
by Ottoman Turkish looters. He serves on
directors of the Inner City Law Center,
www.armenian-genocide.org
several nationwide Armenian committees and
which provides legal services to the poor;
has earned high praise and recognition from
he also played a role in the development of
Inner City Law Center
the greater Armenian community.
legislation to improve the living conditions
www.innercitylaw.org
in slum housing. Another attorney at the
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