"The founding member of the Law Offices of Laurence R. Clarke & Associates, Mr. Clarke has litigated approximately 100 cases to jury trial during his 38-year career.

Before establishing the Law Offices of Laurence R. Clarke & Associates, Mr. Clarke was Co-founder, Managing Partner, and Senior Partner at Knapp, Petersen & Clarke LLP, where he expanded the firm's roster to over 60 attorneys, while maintaining an active trial practice. Prior to this, Mr. Clarke was a partner at Spray, Gould & Bowers LLP, constructing his practice and reputation around civil litigation and trial work.

Mr. Clarke is a member of the prestigious litigation organization, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) since 1975, and is rated AV, the highest possible ranking by his peers for ethical standards and professional ability (Martindale-Hubbell).

While Mr. Clarke has dedicated his career and practice to trial litigation, he has also engaged in over 400 Superior Court matters as a mediator and/or arbitrator. Mr. Clarke is also currently active in the academic community, teaching law school courses in Dispute Resolution and Client Counseling, among others, and has frequently lectured on trial tactics and strategy.

Bar Admissions 
    State Bar of California, 1972
    U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1972
    U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 1980
    U.S. Supreme Court, 1975

Education 
    Pepperdine University School of Law
    Masters Degree in Dispute Resolution (Top Dispute Resolution Program in Nation, according to the U.S. News and World Report listing of Best Graduate Schools)

    Southwestern Law School
    J.D.
    Distinguished as Top 15% of Class

    Antioch University
    B.A., Business
    M.A., Organizational Management

Background and Experience
Law Offices of Laurence R. Clarke & Associates
        Founding Partner (1995-Present)

Knapp, Petersen & Clarke
    Firm co-founder (1981)
    Managing Partner (1981-1993)
    Senior Partner (1993-1995)

Spray, Gould & Bowers
    Associate (1972-1976)
    Partner (1976-1981)

Title Insurance and Trust Company (1964-1972)
    Employed full time while attending college and law school

Teaching Credentials 
    Southwestern Law School, Adjunct Professor (1999-2009)
Dispute Resolution, Mediation/Arbitration, Negotiation, Client Counseling, Ethics

    Pepperdine University School of Law, Adjunct Professor (1999-2008)
Dispute Resolution, Mediation/Arbitration, Negotiation, Client Counseling, Ethics   

Military Service
United States Marine Corps Reserve (1962-1968)

Laurence R. Clarke is an AV* rated attorney, the highest rating from the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process for legal competence and ethics. Martindale-Hubbell has been the facilitator of a peer review rating process for over 100 years.

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* CV, BV, and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.