Obituaries

Retired Justice, Norman L. Epstein, widely regarded as an intellectual giant on the 2nd District Court of Appeal, died on March 24th, 2023, aged 89 years.
Norman’s first wife, Ann, passed in 2008 and he is survived by his second wife, Ann Rutherford, his son Mark, his daughter Carole, his daughter in law Laura, and his three grandchildren Rebecca, Madeline, and Adrienne.
Norman’s life and career were marked by a steadfast commitment to the law, fairness, and justice. Born on April 9, 1933, in Los Angeles, he attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he received his B.A. in 1955 and his J.D. in 1958. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1959 and embarked on a distinguished legal career that spanned more than five decades.

During his time on the Court of Appeal, Epstein was recognized for his sharp mind, unbiased approach, and unwavering commitment to the legal system. After serving as an Associate Justice for 14 years, he was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the role of Presiding Justice of Division Four in 2004. Epstein was a strong advocate for continuing education among justices, actively supporting the Judicial College from its inception throughout his entire tenure on the bench. He frequently shared his expertise through lectures and written works, including his contributions as an author to the Witkin & Epstein California criminal law and other publications.

Throughout his career, Epstein was known for his kindness, humility, and collegiality. He was respected by his colleagues and peers for his deep knowledge of the law, his fairness, and his commitment to justice. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire legal community.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Anti-Defamation League. Please follow the link below to donate:
https://support.adl.org/give/174715/?_ga=2.165565951.1552631212.1680402500-1150333512.1680402500#!/donation/checkout

Funeral Services and Laying to rest will be held on Wednesday March 29th at 2:00PM in the Large Chapel at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles.