Dennis LaRochelle, Partner
Mr. LaRochelle has practiced civil litigation exclusively for 33 years. He has tried or arbitrated over 100 cases, including nearly 30 jury trials. His principal practice areas are business, commercial and real estate litigation, as well as serious personal injury cases.
The matters Mr. LaRochelle has handled include breach of contract, real estate disputes, business dissolutions, commercial lease disputes, business torts, employment litigation, trade secret, trademark and copyright litigation, probate and trust litigation, flood and soil subsidence, insurance coverage, professional malpractice, wrongful death and serious injury accidents.
In four recent breach of contract and real estate trials, after winning the case, Mr. LaRochelle obtained the recovery of over $1 Million in attorney’s fees for his clients.
Professional Leadership
Mr. LaRochelle has been a leader in the trial bar for many years. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of CAL-ABOTA and he has served as President of the California Coast Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, President of the Ventura County Bar Association and President of the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. LaRochelle has held the position of Master in the Ventura County Chapter of the American Inns of Court, Chairman of the Business Litigation Section of the Ventura County Bar Association and Chairman of the County Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluations Committee (charged with evaluating candidates for Judge of the Superior Court.)
Mr. LaRochelle has also served as an Arbitrator and a Mandatory Settlement Conference Officer for the Ventura County Superior Court for over 20 years.
State and Federal Practice
Mr. LaRochelle was admitted to the California Bar in 1976 after graduating near the top of his class at Whittier College School of Law. In addition to his State Court practice, Mr. LaRochelle is admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Central District of California, and the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Community Service
In addition to his professional activities, Mr. LaRochelle has been actively involved in several community and civic organizations, including the Ventura Chamber of Commerce (Vice President), the Ventura Downtown Association (President), the Ventura Music Festival (Board of Directors) and the Ventura Rotary Club (Community Services Director).
Personal
Mr. LaRochelle engages in a variety of outdoor activities such as swimming, bicycling, running and surfing. He is now a member of the Rincon Triathlon Club. Dennis and his wife, Jo Ann, enjoy ballroom dancing as members of the El Cien Dance Club. Dennis and Jo Ann moved to Ventura with their two daughters in 1981.
