Biography
Mr. LaRochelle practiced civil litigation exclusively for more than 49 years. He tried or arbitrated more than 100 cases, including nearly 30 jury trials. Because most business and real estate litigators have very little jury trial experience, Dennis’ background and courtroom experience were invaluable for clients in those types of matters.
Detail-oriented by nature, Dennis used a systematic approach to marshal the facts in a focused way to get to the heart of the issue so the case can be evaluated and either resolved or tried, while always being sensitive to the cost, emotional turmoil, time, and effort required from any client in litigation.
Dennis’ principal practice areas were business, commercial, real estate and employment litigation, as well as serious personal injury cases. He enjoyed the challenge of learning about each case in depth, allowing him to provide expert legal counsel in a wide range of cases, including breach of contract, real estate disputes, business dissolutions, commercial lease disputes, business torts, employment litigation, intellectual property litigation, probate and trust litigation, flood and soil subsidence, insurance coverage, wrongful death and serious injury accidents.
A recognized leader in trial lawyer organizations, Dennis held the office of 2015 President of CAL-ABOTA, the state chapter of a national association of plaintiff and defense jury trial lawyers. Membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates is limited to attorneys who meet the organization’s stringent jury trial criteria and who are elected to membership by their peers. Dennis is the first statewide president hailing from Ventura County since the local California Coast Chapter – which covers Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties – was formed in 1988. He was also named to the Southern California Super Lawyers list as one of the top attorneys in Southern California.
Dennis served as President of the California Coast Chapter of ABOTA, the Ventura County Bar Association and the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association. He held the position of Master in the Ventura County Chapter of the American Inns of Court, President of the Ventura County Bar Association Business Litigation Section and Chairman of the County Bar Association Judicial Evaluations Committee (evaluating candidates for judge of the Superior Court). He also served as an arbitrator and mandatory settlement conference officer for the Ventura County Superior Court for more than 25 years. Dennis was awarded the highest rating of AV by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service.
Dennis received his bachelor’s degree from California State University Long Beach in 1973 and was admitted to the Bar in California in 1976 after graduating near the top of his class at Whittier College School of Law.
Dennis and his wife, Jo Ann, moved to Ventura with their two daughters in 1981. In his free time, he was actively involved in several community and civic organizations. He served as Ventura Downtown Association president, Ventura Chamber of Commerce vice president, Ventura Music Festival board member and Ventura Rotary Club Community Services Director.
