Breaking Stereotypes: Artur Hovhannisyan’s Professional Path and Philosophy
30/06/2026
Professional Path
The 14 years spent in the state system were full of radical changes. From the 2000s, when Armenia joined the Council of Europe, an active phase of judicial-legal reforms began. The department I led, and later the division, were involved in all key processes—the new Criminal Code, the penitentiary and judicial systems, procedural codes. I either coordinated those efforts or directly drafted legislative proposals and the corresponding government decisions. It was during that period that we also undertook a radical reform of the advocacy system—through the adoption of the new "Law on Advocacy," the establishment of the Chamber of Advocates, and the founding of the School of of Advocates․
Throughout all of this, I always clearly understood: full-fledged lawyering is not just about writing laws or decisions. The core of law is the protection of human rights—advocacy, legal counsel, and delivering justice in court. Knowing theory and the Constitution is a mandatory foundation, but the real active process lies in the field of defense.
I was always drawn to human rights advocacy. Parallel to my work at the Ministry, I sometimes defended the interests of friends with legal issues in court (back then, the law allowed non-attorneys to do so as well), and the process of appearing in court gave me great satisfaction. I already knew that at some point I would transition into active advocacy, so I also obtained an attorney's license. However, the processes in the state system were developing so rapidly that leaving and stepping away was not easy.
What ultimately helped me break out of those stereotypes and that "comfort zone" was studying at The Fletcher School—which proved to be a turning point in transforming my mindset. After returning, I received an offer from the newly formed Chamber of Advocates' president to become his deputy. What attracted me was not just the prospect of joining a developing system, but the opportunity to engage in private advocacy alongside the Chamber's functions. From the perspective of changing environments, it was difficult to leave the Ministry of Justice, where my immediate supervisor was Deputy Minister Aram Orbelyan, but the new horizons were more enticing, and I accepted the offer without hesitation.
Challenge and Return: When Work Consumes Time with Family
Later, I received a new, highly responsible offer from the state system—to take on the position of Deputy Minister of Justice. It was a major challenge, and I accepted it for two reasons: I had come to miss the Ministry environment and I wanted to test the limits of my own abilities (of course, I was also fully aware that a political position is temporary). After the constitutional amendments, a new phase of developing massive legislative acts had begun, and I returned to a familiar environment to coordinate what I had been doing before.
The volume of work and responsibility were immense—endless meetings, discussions. I did my work with passion, but there was one big "but": the time spent with my family had sharply decreased. I remember one day coming home at eight in the evening, and my children were surprised to see their father so early. However, even under those extreme workloads, I never felt any sense of uncertainty or being lost.
The Thrill of Advocacy and Inner Advantage
From the perspective of professional thrill, advocacy is the absolute leader. No amount of drafting legislation can compare to the indescribable pleasure of hearing about a victorious decision in a complex case into which you have poured your soul. Although we are always taught to maintain professional detachment and not to identify with the client, still, at such moments, you experience that victory as your own greatest personal achievement.
Today, sometimes forced to fight against the very system in which I spent 14 years, my deep internal experience gives me a tremendous advantage. I know inside out how the defense will be constructed from that side and can predict the questions they will raise. Knowing the system from the inside is an invaluable weapon for an attorney. Moreover, the legislation on the basis of which justice is administered today was largely developed during the years I worked. The state system did not stagnate me; on the contrary, I have been able to fully leverage that experience for my success in advocacy.
Personal Space: The Art of Unwinding
Arthur is not Arthur without his family. Without my wife, I would simply be empty.
As for my hobbies, which my colleagues may not know about—they are diverse. One day I might immerse myself in electronics or software, another day I might do gardening. My wife says I never get nervous. It is precisely these hobbies that help me fully disconnect from the daily work routine, unwind, and relax my mind.
Law Is Not Mathematics: Winning Improvisations and Experiments
Concern Dialog is a proponent of experimental justice. When reading the current legislation, it may seem that there is only one obvious path, but as a team, we try to approach the problem from a completely different, non-standard angle. And in many very serious, extremely complex cases, our experiments have yielded brilliant results.
We often resort to such steps during court proceedings as well. Law is not mathematics—here, everything depends on how you frame the question, how you present and depict the situation. With the right presentation, you can create a completely different picture and achieve victory.
The Phenomenon of Concern Dialog: Honesty and an Irreplaceable Team
The size of our firm and the large team significantly ease the work. When you discuss a problem with a large and professional team, solutions are found faster, and the sense of trust and quality multiply. One of our most important corporate values is honesty. We are absolutely honest with our clients and never give false, empty promises.
Concern Dialog Is Not Concern Dialog Without...
Concern Dialog is unimaginable without Aram Orbelyan. He is able to keep the firm at the highest level—from innovations to the application of non-standard solutions. We have managed to create a unique environment where the volume of work is high, but stress is minimal. During breaks, warm discussions and genuine camaraderie create a place where every employee wants to return every day.
A Guide in the Legal World
If Concern Dialog were to one day become a book, it would bear the title "What a Law Office Should Be: A Practical Guide." And on the page about me, I would like just one line to be written: "You can ask Arthur Hovhannisyan everything about court representation and defense skills."
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