Arpine Esmailian

Arpine Esmailian has extensive experience in all stages of litigation representing businesses and individuals as plaintiffs and defendants in California’s state and federal district courts. She has tried numerous cases to verdict. Prior to joining Yoka | Smith, LLP, Arpine worked as in-house trial counsel and as a supervising attorney for an insurance company, practicing civil defense litigation focused on personal injury matters. While attending law school, Arpine was a judicial extern to the Honorable Neil W. Bason, United States Bankruptcy Court. In addition, she assisted district attorneys as a law clerk in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office – Family Violence Division.

Arpine is dedicated to pro bono work and serves as a founding member of the Center for Truth and Justice – a volunteer-based organization overseeing the collection of firsthand testimonial evidence from war survivors. She previously served on the Center’s board of directors making important decisions and advising the leaders of the organization. She also served as the Chair of the Education Committee. In 2022, Arpine assisted the Center organize an International Conference that brought together legal scholars and experts in international law from across the globe to address access to international justice by victims. She moderated a panel discussing Forced Displacement and Transitional Justice and a second panel discussing important human rights issues with Honorary Speaker and Human Rights Defender of Republic of Armenia.