Joshua Genser

A lifelong resident of West Contra Costa County and the second generation of his family to provide legal services to West County businesses. He has a Master's Degree in Economics from Stanford University and his law degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Mr. Genser has practiced law since 1983, handling litigation and transactions for businesses both large and small, local and national. In addition, Mr. Genser has served the community as:

Chairman of the Board of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Chair of the Private Industry Council
Chair of the Human Relations Affirmative Action Commission
Chair of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce Economic Development      Committee
Vice-President and General Counsel of the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program
Member of Brookside Hospital's Local Governing Board
Member of the Richmond Rotary Club.

Education

B.A. and M.A. in Economics from Stanford University

1980 J.D. from Boalt Hall School of Law, U.C. Berkeley, 1983
McBain Moot Court Competition semi-finalist, 1982

Admitted to the California Bar, 1983

Professional Experience

Law Offices of Joshua G. Genser, 1996 to 2004

Joshua Genser represents businesses and individuals in incorporations and other business organizations, contract drafting and negotiation, real estate transactions and disputes, property tax assessment appeals, sales and use tax compliance, defense of employment-related litigation, creditors’ interests in bankruptcy, and litigation.

Norris & Norris, P.C., 1986 to 1996

A partner in West Contra Costa County’s largest law firm, Mr. Genser concentrated in civil litigation, with special emphasis on cases and issues which required quantitative economic, financial or statistical analyses. Mr. Genser represented cable television operators in defense of consumer class actions over late fees, in defense of breach of construction contract allegations, in multi-million dollar property tax assessment appeals, in litigation over the legality of utility users’ taxes, and in regulatory proceedings and franchise negotiations. Mr. Genser also represented financial institutions, solid waste companies and hospitals in State, Federal and Bankruptcy Courts, litigating cases involving lender liability, disputes over public contract awards, construction defects, municipal taxation and insurance coverage.

Law Offices of John Hallbauer, 1984 to 1986

As an associate of a sole practitioner, Mr. Genser handled personal injury, family law, criminal defense, and real estate matters, and business organizations.

Publications

"Explaining the Inexplicable: A Primer on Present Value," published in the Contra Costa Lawyer, April 1998.

"Statistics, Probability and the Law: What You Don't Know Can Lose the Case," published in the Alameda County Bar Association Bulletin, April, 1998.

"Employment Litigation Isn’t Out of Control -- It’s a Tempest in a Teapot," published in The Recorder, February 19, 1997, in the San Francisco and Los Angeles Daily Journals, February 3, 1997, and in the Alameda County Bar Association Bulletin, April 1997.

" Economists and Accountants as Expert Witnesses on Damages," published in the Contra Costa Lawyer, January 1997, and in the San Francisco and Los Angeles Daily Journals, January 10, 1997.

"Economic Experts Help Decide if Claim is Actionable," published in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals, October 28, 1996.

"The Economic Case for the Coexistence of Monopoly Power and Goodwill in the Cable Television Industry," published in the Winter, 1994, edition of the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal.

"How the 1992 Cable Act Affects Sales Tax Liability," published in the November, 1993, edition of Cable TV and New Media Law & Finance.

"Goodwill Emerging as a Factor in Taxation of Cable Franchises," published in the December, 1992, edition of Cable TV and New Media Law & Finance.

Associations and Affiliations

Member, State Bar of California, Contra Costa County and Alameda County Bar Associations

Member, American Law & Economics Association

Member, American Academy of Economic & Financial Experts Chairman of the Board of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce

Immediate Past Chair, City of Richmond Private Industry Council

Member, Point Molate Naval Fuel Depot Base Closure Blue Ribbon Advisory Commission

Co-Founder, Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program

Chair, Economic Development Committee of the Richmond

Chamber of Commerce Former

Member, Doctor’s Medical Center Local Governing Board

General Counsel, Pro-Bono, Greater Richmond Interfaith Program

Member, Rotary Club of Richmond Director

Former President, Temple Beth Hillel

Former Chair, City of Richmond Human Relations Affirmative Action Commission

Alumnus, Kappa Sigma Fraternity