Norman La Force

Of Counsel
Norman La Force has 36 years’ experience as a civil trial defense attorney. His focus over the past two decades has been representing employers in wrongful termination and employment practices matters, professional liability defense (lawyers, real estate brokers, accountants), medical malpractice defendant (therapists, nurses, and dentists), and high exposure personal injury cases including burn, traumatic brain injury, severe personal injury, and wrongful death claims. He has also represented homeowner associations in cases ranging from alleged discrimination against individual homeowners to cases involving the rights and obligations of associations and individual members. In the past he has handled such complex matters as litigation concerning failures of Delta levees, large landslide cases, complex toxic tort and product liability claims. His focus is identifying the critical issues in cases and determining the most appropriate method for resolution before trial while preparing the case as if it were to be tried. His emphasis is on understanding the client’s concerns and needs and how those can be addressed in the most cost effective manner. He has also taught property law and land use as an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University Law School.

Admissions
California, 1982
Illinois, 1983
All United States District Courts in California and the District Court for Northern Illinois, the 7th and 9th Circuit Court of Appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Memberships
State Bars of Illinois and California

Education
Georgetown University Law Center, Washington D.C.
Univ of Illinois, Champaign Urbana, Illinois

Community Involvement
He has been involved on park and open space issues in the Bay Area including the creation of the McLaughlin East Shore State Park and in how agencies such as the East Bay Regional Park District should manage for fire safety.

He has also served as mayor and city council member of El Cerrito and is currently on the City’s Park and Recreation Commission.