By M. Jonathan Hayes
I had such an enjoyable visit recently with the Honorable Michael R. Amerian in his chambers at Van Nuys Superior Court West, Department O. His office is unlike the chambers of yore. His desk is immaculate, without papers, case files, an overflowing inbox, open case reporters, stacks of Daily Journals in the corner to be read some day. It reflects Judge Amerian’s approach to the bench. “I’m pretty technologically proficient,” he explained, “and I try to use that to be efficient on and off the bench.”
Judge Amerian is the son of the late Justice Richard Amerian, one of the youngest judges ever appointed to the California courts at age 32. His father spent 12 years as a trial judge and two years after that on the California Court of Appeals. “Being here in Van Nuys is deeply meaningful for me,” Judge Amerian shared thoughtfully. “I grew up coming to this courthouse. My mother would pick me up from pre-school and bring me to watch my father in court. I have vivid memories of those times. I never imagined I would come full circle and follow him onto the bench.”
Judge Amerian’s father, who passed away unexpectedly in 2001 while the two were on vacation together, did not pressure or try to steer him into law. Neither did his mother, Lynnette, who also devoted her career to public service. She worked for former Los Angeles City Councilmembers Michael Woo and Laura Chick, who she followed to the Controller’s Office. She then joined former Mayor Eric Garcetti, first when he was a City Councilmember and then in the Mayor’s office. “My parents really tried to expose my sister and me to everything possible and give us a chance to pick our own course. I actually wanted to be a diplomat and be in the foreign service someday. I went to Georgetown University because I wanted to be in Washington D.C.”
When he graduated from Georgetown, a federal hiring freeze changed Judge Amerian’s plans. Instead, he took the LSAT and decided to return home to attend USC Law School. It wasn’t however until he clerked for the Honorable Dickran M. Tevrizian, then on the U.S. District Court, that he began to really appreciate the impact and responsibility of the judicial role. “Watching Judge Tevrizian navigate complex cases and assist parties with real life issues, and being a part of the process made me appreciate a judge’s real day-to-day work. I was too young when my father was a judge to truly appreciate the job.”
After his clerkship ended, Judge Amerian practiced at a boutique litigation firm but after his father passed away, decided to join the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office to develop his trial skills more quickly. He spent the next 15 years as a Deputy City Attorney; seven years in the civil division defending LAPD officers and eight years in the criminal division as a prosecutor before that, almost all in Van Nuys. Representing members of the LAPD was particularly meaningful to him given that his stepfather, Bruce, was a Sergeant with the Department for 33 years. It was at the City Attorney’s office that he met Judge Timothy Saito, who quickly became a mentor.
In 2018, Governor Edmund G. Brown appointed him to the Superior Court. Governor Brown also happened to elevate his father to the Superior Court and then the Court of Appeal. Judge Amerian explained he decided to seek an appointment to the bench because he always enjoyed public service, and it was the natural next step. “My parents’ dedication to public service is what has served as my own guiding principle throughout my career. I’ve always sought out ways to make a bigger and more positive impact on the world. It’s what led me to run for Los Angeles City Attorney in 2009. Even then, becoming a judge was still my ultimate goal. I’m just so grateful for how lucky I’ve been and don’t take it for granted for a minute.”
Judge Amerian was initially assigned to family court where he spent five years, then on to the unlawful detainer hub court for another year – both in Van Nuys. “I have then-Supervising Judge Huey Cotton to thank for making sure I started my judicial career here in Van Nuys. He and former Supervising Judge Virginia Keeny really looked out for me. When I started, I had no experience in family law, but found it very rewarding. In every case you are helping people, hopefully leaving them better off by providing order and structure for them to heal as they move forward.” He also had no prior experience in unlawful detainers but enjoyed that time as well. “I still volunteer to take family law and unlawful detainer cases whenever possible. The variety we have here in Van Nuys is intellectually invigorating. I feel like a judicial Swiss Army knife of sorts.”
Now as a civil trial judge, Judge Amerian was effusive about the Van Nuys court community. “We have very dedicated judges and staff who put in the time necessary to get the job done. I never feel like I’m on an island. There’s so many wonderful people working together who play an essential role in serving the public, many of whom the attorneys and public never see.”
The workload of Judge Amerian’s Independent Calendar court is astonishing. He has a caseload inventory of some 1200 cases! He is supported by his Law Clerk, Keriann Smith, Judicial Assistant, Robert Karapetyan, and Calendar Assistant, Roshan Dohal. “From the very beginning, I’ve been surrounded by extraordinary people. My staff is terrific. They make me look good and do their jobs so well that I can focus on doing more because I never have to worry about them.” He opened his current department at the same time as his “buddy court” next door, led by Judge Eric Harmon. “I couldn’t ask for a better buddy judge. Judge Harmon and I have a blast together and he’s become a treasured friend,” Amerian said.
Even though the workload is daunting, Judge Amerian tries to publish detailed tentative rulings in advance on every case. “I am always looking for ways to be more efficient and be user-friendly while maintaining a formal but friendly atmosphere.” Notably, he has no local, local rules. “Attorneys have enough to keep track of. I just expect attorneys to be prepared for every appearance and move their case along,” Amerian said.
For case management conferences and motions, he requires status reports but usually does not require live appearances in court. “I try to do as much as possible on the papers.” Yes, everything is electronic; he does not require courtesy copies of filings. He will even accept filings by email on occasion if necessary. “I try not to be too rigid. I know I’m demanding in other ways, so I try to pick my spots. I try to set the tone early in the case; I tell the attorneys and parties what to expect from me.”
He added, “I also expect attorneys to be civil to each other. I will come down hard on an attorney who is out-of-bounds but I think that has only happened a handful of times so far. You know it costs me nothing to be kind. The judges I have admired over the years were unfailingly kind to people. I enjoy that and hope to carry on the tradition because I think it sets the right example for attorneys to follow.”
Judge Amerian is very comfortable with video hearings. Yes, most hearings are by video although he commented that probably 75% of the attorneys do not turn their video cameras on. I was pretty surprised. “You allow that?” He said a little wistfully that the local rules allow no camera, so there it is, but there would be better interaction if he could see who he is talking to. Nearly all his informal discovery conferences are by video but for settlement conferences he prefers the parties to attend in person and if they appear remotely they must have their camera on. “You need that personal connection. It just doesn’t work well discussing settlement on a computer monitor with a faceless icon."
Judge Amerian will even permit trials by video, something he leaves up to the parties to decide. He said the video trials he has done so far have worked out fine. “It depends a little on how comfortable the attorneys and parties are with the technology. And if the attorney is prepared properly, it goes without a wrinkle.”
It wasn’t long before we discovered that we had a common passion – hockey; more specifically the Los Angeles Kings. “I’m a big sports fan,” he said. “I have been to all but four of the Major League Baseball stadiums in the country – Fenway Park is my favorite - and I intend to get to the remaining ones at some point.” I told him that beats my list of 16 baseball stadiums and 11 hockey arenas so far. He commented that he intended to get to every hockey arena as well noting that he has been to forty-nine of the fifty states.
He also shared that he’s been in a fantasy baseball league with high school friends for 35 years, serving as the league commissioner the entire time. “It’s been a wonderful way to stay in touch and now their sons are old enough to join us, which has made it even more fun.” Other than his affection for sports, Judge Amerian loves to spend his time with his significant other, Suzy, and their two senior Malteses - Sonny and Willy. He also tries to spend as much time as possible with his sister, Melissa, who now lives on the East Coast, and his step-sister, Jacquelyn, as she pursues her passion for Grand Prix Show Jumping.
I asked if he would recommend becoming an attorney to our young folks and he said yes although he would caution, “Do it with your eyes open. Know what you are getting into. You are going to be working really hard, learning constantly. It’s a never-ending challenge.” Amerian added, “I’ve had so many terrific mentors over the years that I try to pay it forward by having a couple law student interns with me at any given time. My colleagues tease me for having an entourage at times, especially during the summers when I have a bigger group, but their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn is infectious and fun to have around.”
Would he be a lawyer again if he got a do-over? “Yes, especially if I knew in advance I was going to become a judge. I truly feel very lucky to have this job. I don’t take it for granted. I love the challenges of learning both the black letter law - especially in new areas of law - and at the same time how to make this a better place, to serve the public.”
As we started packing, Judge Amerian’s courtroom clerk came in and reminded Judge Amerian that he promised to swear in a young man who had recently passed the bar exam. He and his family were waiting in the courtroom. While putting on his robe, which he noted was the same robe his father wore on the bench, Judge Amerian told me. “Swearing young lawyers into the Bar is one of my favorite parts of the job. My dad swore me in along with Judge Tevrizian. Every time I do it, I feel a bit of a connection to him.”
The San Fernando Valley is fortunate to have a judge who is as dedicated and involved as Judge Amerian. He is a worthy recipient of the SFVBA Judge of the Year Award. Please join us in celebrating his award at Judge’s Night on May 29.
“You know it costs me nothing to be kind. The judges I have admired over the years were unfailingly kind to people. I enjoy that and hope to carry on the tradition because I think it sets the right example for attorneys to follow.”
Hon. Michael R. Amerian, guided by his parents’ dedication to public service, has always sought ways to make a bigger and more positive impact on the world. And a big sports fan; he has been to all but four of the Major League Baseball stadiums. His SFVBA Judge of the Year Award is well-deserved.
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