2002-11-25

PRESS RELEASE
November 25, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HONORABLE KENNETH E. NORMAN

Honorable Kenneth E. Norman, Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2002, in Oakland, California as the result of an extended illness. Governor Gray Davis appointed Judge Kenneth Norman on October 26, 2001, as Judge of the Superior Court. Judge Norman served as Court Commissioner at the Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland since 1993. His assignment included Juvenile Court, where he presided over dependency and delinquency cases. He has also presided over felony preliminary hearings and misdemeanor arraignments and trials.

Judge Norman previously worked from 1989 to 1993 as a Deputy in the Alameda County Public Defender's office. He also served as a Legal Assistant from 1988 to 1989 at the Public Defender's office in San Francisco. Previous to 1988, Judge Norman worked at the personal injury law firm of Bari S. Robinson, and did contract work on antitrust cases for Furth, Fahrner, Bluemie & Mason in San Francisco from 1985 to 1986. Judge Norman was the Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Dartmouth College from 1980 to 1981.

Judge Norman was a member of the California Judges Association and the Charles Houston Bar Association and was on the Board of Governors of Volunteers in Parole, a statewide mentoring program for youthful offenders. Judge Norman was also a member of Big Brothers. He served as an instructor for the Center for California Judicial Education and Research and was a faculty member for the Judicial College.

Judge Norman was born in Orrville, Ohio. He received his law degree from Hastings College of the Law in 1984 in San Francisco, California, and was admitted to the California Bar on January 16, 1988. He received his B.A. from Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire in 1976. He was Captain of the Dartmouth track and field team and an All-American in 1975 and 1976. He holds the 13th all-time world record in the 600-meter race. After graduating from Dartmouth College, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1976 to 1980. He held positions as a platoon commander and as a battalion legal officer and rose to the position of First Lieutenant.

Presiding Judge Harry R. Sheppard, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda said that Judge Norman "was an outstanding lawyer, judge and human being who was a role model, mentor and teacher to all."

Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte expressed "the Juvenile Court and the community has lost a brilliant jurist, a wonderful friend and extraordinary good person. Judge Norman taught us to face life's challenges with dignity and grace. He will be missed by all of us."

Judge Kenneth Norman's funeral will be held:
Saturday, November 30, 2002
At 11:00 a.m.
Allen Temple Baptist Church
8501 International Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94621

The contact for this information release is James Brighton, Bureau Chief, Planning, Research and Court Services, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda at (510) 272-5093.