Faculty

Adelaida Baghdasaryan is the AUA LL.M. Program Chair and Assistant Professor since 2015. Ms. Baghdasaryan has received her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Harvard Law School, MCLS from the American University of Armenia (AUA) and Diploma in International Relations from the Yerevan State University (YSU). Mrs. Baghdasaryan holds a license of Attorney from the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia and a license of Mediator extended by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia.
Mrs. Baghdasaryan is a practicing lawyer in the field of technology law, at present she serves as the legal counsel at PicsArt Inc. Corporation, more specialized in Artificial Intelligence, copyright, data, corporate, and labor law issues.  She currently provides consultancy to the United Nations DESA on e-governance matters, and a number of tech startups in Armenia and beyond on a wide spectrum of tech law issues. Her prior experience includes service as National Consultant for UN International Trade Center, Political Program Assistant of the Political-Economic Section in the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, and several other international organizations.
Ms. Baghdasaryan has been involved in various professional trainings and workshops including the Executive Program on Artificial Intelligence and Law at Berkeley Law School, Executive Program on Negotiations at Harvard Law School, Mediation program with European Center for Dispute Resolution, Workshop on Regional Refugee Legal and Social Issues, Monitoring of Grants and Cooperative Agreements at U.S. State Department.

Higher Education

May 2015, Master of Laws (LL.M), Harvard Law School
November 2007, Master of Comparative Legal Studies, American University of Armenia (AUA)
May 1996, Yerevan State University, International Relations Department

Courses Taught

• Artificial Intelligence & Law
• Corporate Governance
• Legal Method and Argumentation
• Introduction to American Law
• Master’s Paper
• Negotiation

Licensed Attorney
Licensed Mediator

E-mail:
[email protected]

Phone:
(+374 60) 61-27-53

Office Location:
109W (PAB)

Office hours:
By appointment

Armen Mazmanyan studies constitutional and international law from a comparative and inter-disciplinary perspectives. His past research especially focused on constitution-building and constitutional courts in aspiring democracies, as well as on law, human rights and politics in post-Soviet states, election systems and law, rule of law in multilevel systems, and on patterns of legalism in illiberal regimes. Prof. Mazmanyan holds a PhD and a Master’s degree from the European University Institute, an LLM from the University of Illinois, and a graduate law degree from the Yerevan State University. He was Visiting Professor at Duke University School of Public Policy (2015) and at Institute of Law, Politics and Development at Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (2020 and 2022); he has also held visiting research positions at the Electoral Integrity Project in the University of Sydney, at Harvard’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Columbia Law School, University of Antwerp, and at Central European University. He has served as a member of the State Commission for Constitutional Reform and as a European Court of Human Rights ad hoc judge for Armenia. As an international expert, he has advised on constitutional-building and election reforms in over 15 countries.

EDUCATION:

• European University Institute, PhD (2009), Master of Research (2006)
• University of Illinois, LLM (2002)
• Yerevan State University, (1998)

COURSES

• Public International Law
• Law in Everyday Life
• Current Issues in Law and Society

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

Edited Volumes

• Popelier P., Mazmanyan A., Vandenbruwaene W. The role of constitutional courts in multilevel governance. – Intersentia (Cambridge, 2013).

Journal Articles and book chapters

• Mazmanyan, ‘On Legalism, Illiberal Takeover and the Immune System of Constitutional Democracy’, in Uladzislau Belavusau and Aleksandra Gliszczynska-Grabias, Constitutionalism under Stress: Essays in Honour of Wojciech Sadurski, Oxford University Press, 2020
• Mazmanyan, ‘Facades, Puppets or Activist Watchdogs? Assessing Constitutional Courts in Central Asian Politics”, in “Constitutionalism Without Adjectives, editors Justin O. Frosini and Carna Pistan, Percorsi Constituzionali 1-3, 2020
• Mazmanyan, ‘Constitutional Courts, in Pippa Norris and Alessandro Nai, “Election Watchdogs: Transparency, Accountability, Compliance and Integrity” (2017, Oxford University Press)
• Matta, A. Mazmanyan, ‘Russia: In Quest for a European Identity’, in Patricia Popelier and Sarah Lambrekht, “Shifting the ECHR System: Counter-dynamics at National level”, Intersentia, 2016
• Mazmanyan, ‘Judicialization of Politics: The Post-Soviet Way’, International Journal of Constitutional Law: ICON, 13(1), Oxford University Press, 2015
• Mazmanyan, ‘Majoritarianism, Accountability and Deliberation as Institutional Instincts of Constitutional Courts’, in (eds. P. Popelier, A. Mazmanyan, W. Vandenbruwaene), The Role of Constitutional Courts in Multilevel Governance , Intersentia, 2013
• Mazmanyan, ‘Failing constitutionalism: From political legalism to defective empowerment’ //Global Constitutionalism, Cambridge University Press. – 2012. – Т. 1. – №. 2. – С. 313-333.

CONTACTS

Email: [email protected]

Office: 109W, PAB

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aida-avanessian-48810988

Aida Avanessian has earned her Bachelor’s degree (LL. B) in Private Law from Faculty of Laws and Political Sciences, University of Tehran, her Master’s degree (LL.M) in Private International Law, from Faculty of Laws and Political Sciences, University of Tehran and Doctor of Law (PhD) in Conflict of Laws from Kings College, University of London.

Aida Avanessian has been in private legal practice with her main field of expertise in international and project finance and arbitration. Since 2013 she has been teaching Project Finance, Arbitration, Contract Drafting and Negotiation in American University of Armenia; since 2015 Arbitration and Private International Law in Hovaness Tumanian State University, Vanadzor, Armenia, and in 2018 Arbitration in French University of Armenia (UFAR). She has held several short training courses on arbitration and project financing in American University of Armenia and elsewhere. She is a member of Arbitrators Association of Republic of Armenia and is included in the Arbitrators List of the International Chamber of Commerce.

Higher Education

• May 1990: Doctor of Law (PhD) in Conflict of Laws, Kings College, University of London;
• June 1975: Master of Law (LL.M) in Private International Law, Faculty of Laws and Political Sciences, University of Tehran;
• June 1972: Batcheler of Law (LL.B) in Private Law, Faculty of Laws and Political Sciences, University of Tehran.

 Courses Taught:

• Project Financing
• Contract Drafting and Negotiation
• Arbitration
• Private International Law
• Master’s Paper Supervision
  –  American University of Armenia
  –  French University of Armenia

Publications:

• Iran-United States Claims Tribunal in Action-Seven Years of Arbitration, book published in 1993, Graham & Trotman/Martinus Nijhof, London, England
• Final editing of Making of Contracts under English, French, Iranian and Islamic Law; a book by Parviz Owsia, PhD, published in 1994, Graham & Trotman, London, England.
• The New York Convention and Denationalized Arbitral Awards, Journal of International Arbitration, Vol. 8, No.1.
• Books in progress:
• Project Financing (in Armenian), ready for print.
• Arbitration (in Armenian), in progress.

Email:
 [email protected]

Phone:
(+374 60) 61-27-55

Office Location:
109W (PAB)

Office hours:
Mondays, 6-6.30 pm. Otherwise, by appointment.

Sarkis E. Knyazyan is an Intellectual Property Attorney, who manages Knyazyan & Partners IP Law Firm and chairs the Board of the Intellectual Property Rights Center of Armenia. Mr. Knyazyan received his LL.M degree in Intellectual Property Law from the University of New Hampshire, School of Law and completed various international IP programs, such as Haifa University’s program on European Patent Law in Israel, UC Davis’ Licensing Academy Program on IP and Technology Transfer, in the USA, etc. He has been teaching at AUA since 2006. Mr. Knyazyan is the Focal Point for the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) Program, in Armenia. He is a regular speaker and panelist at various local and International IP conferences. Mr. Knyazyan is the founder of the Armenian Intellectual Property Law Moot Court Competition and the author of the Moot Court problems. He is also a member of the IPR Policy Working Group of the Armenian National Assembly (Parliament) and a member of the Anticounterfeiting Committee of the International Trademark Association. A number of Mr. Knyazyan’s students from AUA write their Master’s Papers on various IP topics and present their research to the Armenian IP Community and State Authorities.

Higher Education

May 2009, LL.M in Intellectual Property Law
University of New Hampshire, School of Law (formerly Franklin Pierce)

Courses taught:

• Intellectual Property Law

Awards:

• Public Service Fellowship, US Department of State
• CAPS Fellowship (Careers for Alumni in Public Service), US Department of State
• Public Service Fellowship, US Department of State
• Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship, US Department of State

Email:
[email protected]

Phone:
(+374 60) 61-27-55

Office Location:
109W (PAB)

Office hours:
Monday – Friday from 1 PM to 6 PM (by appointment)

Websites

www.linkedin.com/today/author/sarkisknyazyan
www.knyazyanlaw.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ani-chilingaryan-05574238/

Ani Chilingaryan has earned her Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B.) from Yerevan State University Faculty of Law, after which she got her Master’s degree in Law (LL.M.) from the American University of Armenia and simultaneously from Yerevan State University Faculty of Law. Currently Ms. Chilingaryan is doing her PH.D. at Yerevan State University Law Faculty. The topic of her dissertation concerns the institution of claim in administrative court proceedings.

Ani Chilingaryan has also studied at the School of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia with the specialization in Civil and Administrative Law and got Certificate of Completion. Ms. Chilingaryan is a member of the Chamber of Advocates of RA and is licensed to practice law. She specializes mainly in administrative cases.

Since 2011 she has been working in “Legal Approximation towards European Standards in the South Caucasus” Program implemented by German International Cooperation (GIZ) as a legal advisor and is responsible for the whole administrative law component and partly legal education component within the program. She has participated in numerous trainings and conferences in administrative law and administrative proceedings in Germany. Ms. Chilingaryan has been teaching at the French University in Armenia, Faculty of Law since 2014.

Higher Education

2012 – present, Yerevan State University, Law School, Ph.D. (expected)
August 2015, RA School of Advocates
June 2011, American University of Armenia, Law School, Master’s degree
June 2011, Yerevan State University, Law School, Master’s degree
June 2009, Yerevan State University, Law School, Bachelor’s degree diploma with honorary distinction

Courses taught:

• Administrative Law
• Supervisor of Master’s Papers

Publications:

• The Interconnection between Obligatory and Dependent Rescissory Action, Compilation of Materials of Session of 2018 of YSU Law Faculty PH.D. students, 2019, publication expected.
• Problems of the Classification of Administrative Actions, Compilation of Materials of Session of 2014 of YSU Law Faculty PH.D. students, 2015, p. 364-377, http://publications.ysu.am/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/364-377.pdf
• Assessment of the Legislative Process in the Republic of Armenia, Comprehensive Report, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, October 2014. http://www.osce.org/odihr/126128?download=true
• The Management of Limited Liability Companies in Armenia, South Caucasus Law Journal, 03/2012, p. 166. http://elrc.ysu.am/upload/186.pdf

Awards:

• December 2018, Certificate on “Activities of the Chambers of Advocates in the Field of the Work with Media and Society”, organized by the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation and Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
• November 2018, Certificate on “Roles and Competencies in Consulting”, Academy for International Cooperation (AIZ), Bonn, Germany
• April 2018, Certificate on E-Learning/Digital Learning, organized by Academy for International Cooperation (AIZ), Tbilisi, Georgia
• March 2017, Certificate on International Parliamentary Cooperation programme at the German Bundestag
• December 2016, Certificate on Interactive Teaching Methodologies for Law School Professors, organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Borjomi, Georgia

E-mail:
[email protected]

Phone:
(+374 60) 61-27-55

Office Location:
109W (PAB)

Office hours:
(by appointment)

Website: http://advocates.am/advocates/view/1974.html

Gor Margaryan received his LL.M. degrees from the Institute for Law and Finance, Goethe University (DE) and University of Essex (UK), specializing in International Trade Law. He also earned his MBA from Manchester Business School (UK) in 2017. Currently Mr. Margaryan is the Managing Partner of Legelata Law Firm CJSC. His professional experience includes practicing Banking and Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate and Tax, Foreign Investments. Mr. Margaryan has also been the General Counsel at Fawaz Alhokair Group, in 2010 worked in Asian Development Bank and Central Bank of Armenia and earned his license of attorney from Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia.

Higher Education

2017, MBA Manchester Business School (UK)
2008-2010, LL.M in Law and Finance, Institute for Law and Finance, Goethe University (DE)
2006-2007, LL.M in International Trade Law, University of Essex (UK)

Courses taught:

• Banking and Securities Regulation

Publications:

• Mergers and Acquisitions: Exceptions of exercise of pre-emptive rights by the banks and banking institutions in Armenia
• Armenia intends to extend tax exemptions for IT industry
• A dark forest for businessman: the law of bills of exchange in Armenia
• Letters of Credit under Armenian Law: Did you say it is irrevocable?

E-mail:
[email protected]

Phone:
(+374 60) 61-27-55

Office Location:
109W (PAB)

Office hours:
(by appointment)

Lilit Banduryan has joined the AUA faculty since 2018. Ms. Banduryan has received her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from University of Cambridge, LL.M. from American University of Armenia (AUA) and BA and MA in International Relations from Yerevan State University (YSU). She is a Diplomat, works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and currently holds the position of the assistant to the Minister. From 2014-2017 she worked at the President’s Administration of the Republic of Armenia. Ms. Banduryan’ s experience also includes legal consultancy and research at the Ombudsman’s office and RA National Academy of Sciences.

Ms. Banduryan has been involved in various professional trainings and workshops including Program on Negotiations, investment law, workshop on Humanitarian law, International law and Diplomacy, etc.

Higher Education

• June 2018, Master of Laws (LL.M), University of Cambridge
• June 2012, Master of Laws (LL.M), American University of Armenia (AUA)
• June 2012, MA in International Relations, Yerevan State University
• June 2010, BA in International Relations, Yerevan State University

Courses Taught:

• Freedom of Information and Data Protection

Publications:

• Territorial integrity and self-determination: contradiction or equality?
• Azerbaijani territorial integrity and Nagorno-Karabakh

E-mail:
[email protected]

Phone:
(+374 60) 61-27-55

Office Location:
109W (PAB)

Office hours:
By appointment