Suzy S. Marjanian has always had an abiding affection for chess, having played competitively for many years. Her passion for the game is only matched by her love of teaching students and the practice of law.

As an alumna and adjunct Professor of Law at the University of West Los Angeles (UWLA) School of Law and a practicing divorce attorney, Suzy splits her time between teaching Torts, Legal Writing, MBE, Lex Parsimonaie, and Pretrial Litigation Procedure, and serving as a partner at the prestigious Koletsky, Mancini, Feldman & Morrow firm in Los Angeles. 

We recently talked to Suzy, who offered her insights into the School of Law and why she believes so fervently in UWLA.

Q. When did you first realize you wanted to be a lawyer?

Suzy: Honestly, I know this sounds a bit cliché, but I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer. My mom has a classroom project that I wrote in the first grade, and in it, I said I would grow up and become a lawyer one day.

Q. In addition to practicing the law, you are also a professor. Where does your passion for teaching come from?

Suzy: I come from a family where education is the number one priority. My parents raised my sisters and me to value education. They instilled in us a desire to pursue a higher education and always strive for the best. Teaching at UWLA School of Law is a natural extension of that passion for education.

Q. We understand you were a law student at UWLA. How did this influence your law career?

Suzy: I was a student at UWLA and graduated Salutatorian of my class in June 2016. I am indebted to the school because it allowed me to pursue my dream. And I can tell you from first-hand experience students learn every single thing they need to know to pass the bar on the first try. I remember going through bar prep, and there was nothing that I did not know. My professors had done an outstanding job of getting me ready. By the way, I took the February 2016 California Bar Exam and passed on my first attempt.

Q. As a student, what stands out from your experience at UWLA School of Law?

Suzy: Accessibility. What other law school allows you to call the Dean or your professors on their cell phone – after hours – to help answer a question about the law or help you while you are stuck reading a case from your case book? I doubt you’ll find that anywhere else. 

Q. You’ve established yourself as a highly successful divorce lawyer involved in a lot of high conflict custody issues along with high asset litigation cases. Why do you make time to teach as well?

Suzy: Nothing is more rewarding than giving back to students on a journey to achieve the same goals I had as a student. I love sharing my knowledge with students and helping them receive the education they need to pass law school and ultimately pass the bar exam! Seeing the students understand the material I teach them and see them apply the law the way I teach them is the most rewarding for me. There are times in class when I ask students questions and recap what they learned, and when they get the answers correctly, I stop and start clapping. Yes, this is real. When my students succeed, and I see their names on the pass list, that is all I need to feel like I did my job.

Q. As an educator and an attorney, you are having a direct impact on people’s lives. What would you personally like to be known for?

Suzy: I want to be known for being able to make a positive change in people’s lives – whether that be my students, my clients, my colleagues, my friends, my family members, or anyone else I cross paths with in life. I want to motivate others to achieve their highest potential in life and remind them that anything is possible, no matter how many hardships they face down the road. I want to be the person to cheer someone on until they achieve whatever goal they want to achieve in life.

Q. You have been a student, and now you are a professor at UWLA, which gives you a unique perspective on the university. What would you say to a prospective student thinking about coming to UWLA?

Suzy: I say this with all sincerity - UWLA is the way to go. I have said this before, and I will say it again, even if I had to go through the entire law school process again, I would still pick UWLA. To anyone considering coming to UWLA or attending any other school, remember education is everything. Once you earn your degree, the opportunities are endless. No matter what age or where you are in life, earn the degree, and the sky is the limit!

Thank you, Professor Suzy Marjanian, for serving the UWLA students, many graduates, and your community, so well!