Warren R. Paboojian (1980), College of Arts and Humanities
By ESRA HASHEM
When Warren R. Paboojian is called a “Bulldog in the courtroom,” he smiles.
“After being a lawyer for over 30 years, I’ve developed a little bit of a nickname,” Warren says with mirth in his eyes. “Whenever someone calls me a Bulldog, I’m pretty proud of that.”
Warren’s Bulldog pride shines because of his rich experience at Fresno State and his family’s path to create a better life for him.
The grandson of survivors of the Armenian Genocide, Warren was the first in his family to graduate college. He earned a degree in journalism from Fresno State in 1980. While in college, he wrote for the student newspaper, Hye Sharzhoom, which created a voice for the Armenian community.
“My grandfather was the editor of an Armenian newspaper locally, and as time went on, I realized that journalism was something that I wanted to do,” Warren says. “I had some great professors that molded me and guided me, taught me ethical considerations along with storytelling. I think that’s what’s helped me be a lawyer.”
Warren earned his Juris Doctor degree from San Joaquin College of Law. He is a partner in the law firm of Baradat & Paboojian, which handles a wide range of cases including injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice and wrongful termination.
He received numerous honors for his professional success, including being selected 2008 Trial Attorney of the Year for the State by the Consumer Attorneys of California. In 2017, Warren was selected Cal-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year. Only three attorneys in the Central Valley have been selected for this honor in its 65-year history.
“My small way to help others is to give voice to people that can’t speak on behalf of themselves,” Warren says. “I’ve always believed that if you dream big and work hard, you can accomplish anything. And it’s not a cliché, it’s not some gimmick — it’s the truth.”
Warren is also the founder of a non-profit organization that helps parents of children who have died untimely, providing them with financial assistance to give their children a dignified burial.
A proud Bulldog, Warren is a long-time friend of Fresno State, mentoring students and supporting both athletics and academics.
“Fresno State is the heart and soul of our community,” Warren says. “I believe it’s important to stay connected because the University is what’s going to help the community grow.”
