Vicky Ourfalian

Vicky M. Ourfalian is a Grade IV Deputy Alternate Public Defender with the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender’s Office. In her current role, she represents indigent individuals in criminal court, handling complex serious felony cases, including homicide and capital cases, from arraignment through jury trial, as well as post-conviction proceedings.

A first-generation Armenian-American, Vicky immigrated with her family from Lebanon in 1982. Growing up in an immigrant family and witnessing the sacrifices her parents made to build a new life shaped her commitment to public service and her belief in meaningful access to justice for all.

Vicky earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine, and her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. After admission to the California Bar, she began her career with Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers, Inc., representing indigent parents in Children’s Court. She later transitioned to criminal defense, joining the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office in 2008 and the Alternate Public Defender’s Office in 2011, where she continues to serve today.

For nearly two decades, Vicky has dedicated her career to advocating for society’s most vulnerable individuals, protecting her clients’ constitutional rights and fighting for fair and just outcomes. A strong proponent of holistic representation, she also works to connect clients with housing, mental health and substance use treatment, and other services that address the underlying challenges contributing to their involvement in the criminal legal system.

Beyond the courtroom, Vicky is actively involved in bar leadership and community service. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) and serves on WLALA’s Board of Directors and Board of Governors. She is also a longtime member of the Armenian Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee, where she provides guidance to indigent community members and volunteers at expungement clinics, helping individuals clear their criminal records so they can pursue employment and other opportunities. In 2019, Vicky was honored with the Armenian Bar Association’s 20 Under 40 Rising Stars Award, a national distinction recognizing exceptional professional achievement and leadership among attorneys under 40.

Vicky is also a longtime member of the Los Angeles Criminal Justice American Inn of Court, a collegial organization of state and federal government attorneys, private practitioners, and judges dedicated to promoting excellence in legal skills, ethics, professionalism, and civility through education and mentorship.

Outside of her professional and community commitments, Vicky enjoys yoga, skiing, and international travel.