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HUNDREDS TURN OUT FOR SWEARING IN OF CHIEF FAMILY COURT JUDGE BEDROSIAN
by Colby Cremins Rhody Beat
Warwick Beacon
http://www.warwickonline.com/view/full_story_news/10741000/article-Hundreds-turn-out-for-swearing-in-of-Chief-Family-Court-Judge-Bedrosian?instance=secondary_stories_left_column
Dec 21 2010
Warwick City Council Chambers were filled Friday for the swearing
in of the new Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Family Court, Judge
Haiganush R. Bedrosian.
"Today is very humbling to me, to look out and see so many friends
and family that have been so supportive of me," said Bedrosian. Not
only were stadium and balcony filled but also more than 200 chairs
on the chamber floor.
Bedrosian, the daughter of Armenian immigrants, grew up in Cranston.
She graduated from Brown University and went to Suffolk School of Law.
Thirty years ago Bedrosian became the first female judge in the family
court and is the first woman to be the chief judge of the court.
"Over the years, Haigi Bedrosian has been a mentor, a coach,
a confidant, a friend, and a valued and respected leader in our
community. I am amazed at her deep and quiet faith, her intellect and
her ability to reason, her devotion to church, family and friends,
and the strength that she has shown in the face of personal tragedy and
loss. To sum it up, the translation of Haiganush means sweet Armenian
woman. Nothing could be more true," said Mayor Scott Avedisian.
The ceremony was held at the Council Chambers because the city holds
a special place in Bedrosian's heart, Avedisian is her first cousin
and she is also a Warwick resident.
Previously, Judge Bedrosian was in private practice specializing in
family law for several years after working as Assistant General Counsel
to the Providence & Worcester Railroad Company. She also worked as a
Special Assistant to the Attorney General in the Criminal Prosecution
Unit in the early 1970s.
"I want to help us get the family court going in the right direction,"
Bedrosian said after being sworn in by Governor Donald Carcieri.
The governor and the mayor were joined by Senate President Theresa
Paiva Weed, House Speaker Gordon Fox, Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts,
Secretary of State Ralph Mollis, Attorney General Patrick Lynch,
General Treasurer Frank Caprio, Mayor of Cranston Allan Fung and
several judges and members of law enforcement from across the state.
"I have spent much of my legal career practicing in the Family Court,
and I know from firsthand experience the attributes required of a judge
in that court. Courage, integrity, patience, intellect, humility,
compassion - Justice Bedrosian has these qualities in abundance,
and the families served in her court will be the beneficiaries of
her wisdom and her leadership," said Paiva Weed.
Bedrosian, as the senior associate justice on the Family Court, became
the acting chief judge upon the retirement of Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr.
on June 30 of this year. She was one of six candidates interviewed
for the permanent post by the Judicial Nominating Commission, and
one of five names forwarded to the governor for his consideration.
"Throughout her career on the bench, Judge Bedrosian has been a devoted
public servant who has handled countless complex and difficult cases
and has presided over her courtroom with decisiveness and compassion,"
said Carcieri.
Bedrosian is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association. She founded
the Rhode Island Trial Judges Association and served as its president
for several years. Additionally, Judge Bedrosian was instrumental
in creating statewide standards for guardians ad litem in Family
Court cases.
"Her efficiency and her vision will benefit all who have occasion
to interact with the court, from attorneys, clerks and staff, to -
most importantly - the families and children who are served by the
Family Court," said Paiva Weed.
From: A. Papazian
by Colby Cremins Rhody Beat
Warwick Beacon
http://www.warwickonline.com/view/full_story_news/10741000/article-Hundreds-turn-out-for-swearing-in-of-Chief-Family-Court-Judge-Bedrosian?instance=secondary_stories_left_column
Dec 21 2010
Warwick City Council Chambers were filled Friday for the swearing
in of the new Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Family Court, Judge
Haiganush R. Bedrosian.
"Today is very humbling to me, to look out and see so many friends
and family that have been so supportive of me," said Bedrosian. Not
only were stadium and balcony filled but also more than 200 chairs
on the chamber floor.
Bedrosian, the daughter of Armenian immigrants, grew up in Cranston.
She graduated from Brown University and went to Suffolk School of Law.
Thirty years ago Bedrosian became the first female judge in the family
court and is the first woman to be the chief judge of the court.
"Over the years, Haigi Bedrosian has been a mentor, a coach,
a confidant, a friend, and a valued and respected leader in our
community. I am amazed at her deep and quiet faith, her intellect and
her ability to reason, her devotion to church, family and friends,
and the strength that she has shown in the face of personal tragedy and
loss. To sum it up, the translation of Haiganush means sweet Armenian
woman. Nothing could be more true," said Mayor Scott Avedisian.
The ceremony was held at the Council Chambers because the city holds
a special place in Bedrosian's heart, Avedisian is her first cousin
and she is also a Warwick resident.
Previously, Judge Bedrosian was in private practice specializing in
family law for several years after working as Assistant General Counsel
to the Providence & Worcester Railroad Company. She also worked as a
Special Assistant to the Attorney General in the Criminal Prosecution
Unit in the early 1970s.
"I want to help us get the family court going in the right direction,"
Bedrosian said after being sworn in by Governor Donald Carcieri.
The governor and the mayor were joined by Senate President Theresa
Paiva Weed, House Speaker Gordon Fox, Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts,
Secretary of State Ralph Mollis, Attorney General Patrick Lynch,
General Treasurer Frank Caprio, Mayor of Cranston Allan Fung and
several judges and members of law enforcement from across the state.
"I have spent much of my legal career practicing in the Family Court,
and I know from firsthand experience the attributes required of a judge
in that court. Courage, integrity, patience, intellect, humility,
compassion - Justice Bedrosian has these qualities in abundance,
and the families served in her court will be the beneficiaries of
her wisdom and her leadership," said Paiva Weed.
Bedrosian, as the senior associate justice on the Family Court, became
the acting chief judge upon the retirement of Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr.
on June 30 of this year. She was one of six candidates interviewed
for the permanent post by the Judicial Nominating Commission, and
one of five names forwarded to the governor for his consideration.
"Throughout her career on the bench, Judge Bedrosian has been a devoted
public servant who has handled countless complex and difficult cases
and has presided over her courtroom with decisiveness and compassion,"
said Carcieri.
Bedrosian is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association. She founded
the Rhode Island Trial Judges Association and served as its president
for several years. Additionally, Judge Bedrosian was instrumental
in creating statewide standards for guardians ad litem in Family
Court cases.
"Her efficiency and her vision will benefit all who have occasion
to interact with the court, from attorneys, clerks and staff, to -
most importantly - the families and children who are served by the
Family Court," said Paiva Weed.
From: A. Papazian