HOLLYWOOD, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region,today announced that renowned trial lawyer Mark Geragos will be the Master of Ceremonies at the ANCA-WR 2002 Annual Banquet. The event will take place on Sunday, October 20, 2002 at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood California.

This year’s banquet is honoring individuals who have contributed to the Armenian Cause by raising awareness through their respective professional fields. Mark Geragos, known for his appearances on television as a legal commentator, and a distinguisehed Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, will serve as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.

Mr. Geragos has appeared as both guest and legal commentator on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNBC’s Rivera Live and CNN’s Burden of Proof. His office handles some of the highest profile cases in California and the United States. Most notably, Geragos is currently involved in the case currently against the New York Life Insurance Company regarding unpaid insurance claims to the survivors of Armenian Genocide-era policy holders.

The legal newspaper the Los Angeles Daily Journal, described Mark Geragos as “arguably the hottest defense lawyer of the moment”. The Los Angeles Criminal Courts Bar Association has named him “Trial Lawyer of the Year.” Geragos, who practices as a criminal trial lawyer in both Federal and State Courts, has represented dozens of prominent clients. His client roster includes some of the more prominent figures in politics, entertainment and business.

“Mark Geragos has a great presence in the courtroom and in the media. He is incredibly articulate and we are looking forward to having him serve as the Master of Ceremonies at our Annual Banquet,” commented Souzi Zerounian-Khanzatian, Chair of the Annual Banquet Committee. The ANCA-WR banquet has been sold out for three weeks since the announcement of this year’s honorees. The ANCA-WR is honoring California State Senator Jack Scott with the Man of the Year Award for his leadership on Armenian-American issues in the State Legislature. Senator Scott is the author of the California-Armenia Trade Office Bill, which Governor Gray Davis signed into law in September, 2002.

Recipients of the prestigious Freedom Award this year include the chart-topping Grammy nominated members of System of A Down and Oscar nominated Canadian film director/writer Atom Egoyan.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues