Judge Robert M. LaForge: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Sonoma County Superior Court, Department 22

CA Bar #: 180627 (December 1995)

Appointed By: Gov. Arnold A. Schwarzenegger

Biography

The Hon. Robert M. LaForge is a judge for the Superior Court of Sonoma County in California. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Court Commissioner Stephany Joy.

LaForge earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. He then completed a J.D. from Western State University College of Law.

He began his legal career in 1996. He first worked as a deputy district attorney in the Office of the District Attorney of San Bernardino County. Two years later, he transferred to the Office of the District Attorney of Sonoma County. He served there for six years, briefly leaving for a short stint as a civil litigator with Mullen and Filippi in 2004. He returned to the Office of the District Attorney later that year, where he would eventually rise to chief deputy district attorney in 2008. He served in that capacity until his appointment, supervising the homicide, gang, and juvenile divisions.

Born and raised in Napa County, LaForge graduated from Justin-Siena High School. He was a resident of Santa Rosa, California at the time of his appointment.

He is registered as a Republican.

Recent Cases by Hon. Robert M. LaForge

LaBarron vs Mascolo

On January 22, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 23, 2026

Dural vs SHIPMAN

On January 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

GUTIERREZ vs MARTINEZ

On January 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

PARKS vs HARDWICK

On January 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Benitez/Benitez Dissolution

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 16, 2026

Ferguson/Ferguson Nullity

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 15, 2026

Perez vs Adqui Adqui

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Other Parent-Child

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 17, 2026

Anderson/Theis Legal Separation

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 16, 2026

Hollister/Lizarrage Legal Separation

On January 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 15, 2026

Montes/Montes Chaparro Dissolution

On January 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

LOPEZ MUNOZ/Lopez Munoz Dissolution

On January 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

GARCIA/GARCIA ROQUE Dissolution

On January 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

Mahoney vs Luna

On January 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 16, 2026

Moffat vs MOFFAT

On January 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 20, 2026

Cartwright/Cartwright Dissolution

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

Landeros/Landeros Dissolution

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

ADAMS vs Hebert

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 18, 2026

Hewitt vs Matthew

On January 12, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 19, 2026

Craton/McHenry Dissolution

On January 12, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 15, 2026

ARMENTA vs JIMENEZ

On January 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

PURECO-RAMIREZ vs Yath

On January 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

COOPER vs Cooper

On January 8, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 23, 2026

PARRA vs VARGAS-AVILA

On January 8, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

LONG vs FUENTES

On January 7, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Sonoma County. Judge Robert M. LaForge presiding.

Filed

Jan 07, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Robert M. LaForge 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Robert M. LaForge

Court

Family

County

Sonoma County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 13, 2026

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About

Robert M. LaForge
Current Appointment Sonoma County Superior Court, Department 22	Sonoma County Superior Court, Department 22
Education J.D., Western State University College of Law Bachelor's degree, California State University, Long Beach	J.D., Western State University College of Law Bachelor's degree, California State University, Long Beach

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	CA - Sonoma County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (707) 521-6728

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Deputy District Attorney	Office of the District Attorney	San Bernardino County, California
Deputy District Attorney	Office of the District Attorney	Sonoma County, California
Associate	Mullen and Filippi	None
Deputy District Attorney	Office of the District Attorney	Sonoma County, California
Chief Deputy District Attorney	Office of the District Attorney	Sonoma County, California