HILLSDALE HIGH SCHOOL 
 CLASS OF 1959


JOE ALTSCHULE

 

 After graduating from University of Pacific in 1964 I kicked around from job to job for several years, even working in a record store where I gained an appreciation for Bob Dylan. But I had enough foresight to see that vinyl was eventually on the way out so I went to Golden Gate Law School and then set out to make my fortune. I married Linda Kollinger (Burlingame 1960) in 1966. Our son Michael was born in 1972 and daughter Elizabeth in 1976.


I came to Visalia in Tulare county in 1974 for a year of trial experience in the Public Defender's office and I stayed for 6 years, and I got plenty of trial experience.  In 1980 Jim Wilson and I began our private law practice together after several exciting and always interesting years in the Tulare County Public Defender's Office.

 

Our private practice began a 35 year journey that saw professional and personal growth, enlightenment, hard work, some disappointments and setbacks, but many, many more rewards.  Along the way we experienced the inevitable difficult life cycle events, as well as more than our share of successes, happiness, and good times.  Jim retired in 2010 but I wasn't quite ready and I continued a sole practice.

 

Along the way I got involved in politics (liberal, of course) I was chairman of the county Democratic party for 10 years, and I played party politics for many years. I was fortunate enough to be a delegate at 3 national conventions, and invited to a private meeting at the White House with Bill and Hillary Clinton, and I have the pictures on my wall to prove it.


I had a local politcal TV show for about 10 years, and for the past 10 years I write a twice monthly column for our local newspaper, you can check out the links on my Facebook page.


My wife Linda is a retired Physical Therapist, she sold her practice a few years back and we've traveled around the world as often as we can.  Daughter Elizabeth got married Nov 2009 and lives in Woodland and teaches in a charter school in Sacramento. Son Michael is an attorney who works as the Associate Director of Government Relations for UCSF. He has a 3 year old girl and a 5 year old boy who we love to pamper.

Now, after 40 years and hundreds of criminal and civil trials, thousands of court appearances and motions, untold interviews and meetings, great partners and associates, the best secretary a lawyer can have along with other office staff over the years, thousands of clients, and many great and decent colleagues and adversaries, it's time to close shop. And after working with so many talented Judges, administrators, and court personnel, and just plain making so many good friends along the way, it's time to retire from the full time practice of law, and fully enjoy many of life's other joys with Linda and all of our family.

 

Our office will close December 31, 2015, although I will retain my license to continue to tie up loose ends for a while.

 

Two years ago I started teaching civil procedure in the paralegal program at C.O.S., and I will continue to do that.  I really enjoy it and they seem to like me.

 

And of course, to the delight of some and to the extreme angst of others, I will continue to write the column in the Visalia Times Delta.

 

People have asked what else I will be doing, and here is a short list of some of those things:

  • Update most of my Apps
  • Clean the garage
  • Wait in line for the next iPhone
  • Finish memorizing all of Dylan's lyrics
  • Go to the gym
  • Sleep in 

Here are some of the things I won't do:

  • I will not buy an RV
  • I will not watch daytime TV
  • I will not grow a beard
  • I will not buy a cat