Cafesjian Family Foundation obtains successful ruling in litigation over Armenian Genocide museum and memorial

Client(s) Cafesjian, Gerard L.

On January 26, 2011, Armenian-American philanthropist Gerard L. Cafesjian was awarded a significant victory in a long-running dispute over ownership of historic real estate to be used to house a museum and memorial to recognize the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide. After 12 days of trial, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia held that Cafesjian's philanthropic organization was entitled to own and control these properties located in downtown Washington, two blocks from the White House. Title to the properties had been contested by the Armenian Assembly of America. Judge Kollar-Kotelly ruled against the Assembly on all of its claims, and further held that it would be required to pay Cafesjian's attorneys' fees.