John F. Foran: July 11, 1930 - September 11, 2014

Former Nossaman Partner John F. Foran passed away on September 11, 2014. He was 84.

"John was a wonderful man, and a dear friend of the Firm," said Nossaman Managing Partner George Joseph. "He was instrumental in expanding Nossaman's Sacramento office and helped to establish our market-leading transportation practice.  John was deeply committed to Nossaman's mission, and even after his retirement, was a constant presence at the office and Firm events.  He was always ready to offer his help and advice when called upon - he will be missed."

A lifelong California resident, Mr. Foran was a longtime partner at Nossaman.  He joined the Firm shortly after retiring from the State Senate, was a prominent member of the Firm's lobbying practice in Sacramento, and helped lay the groundwork for Nossaman's now internationally renowned transportation practice.  One of his key accomplishments during his time at Nossaman was convincing the legislature to approve the first toll road in California.  

Prior to joining Nossaman, Mr. Foran served 24 years as both a California State Assembly member and Senator, and spent four years in the California Office of the Attorney General.  A segment of California's I-280 Freeway is named after Mr. Foran for his service to the California Transportation Commission.

"I served with John for 10 years in the Legislature, and then for 30 years as a law partner.  There was and is no one more honest and ethical as a legislator and an attorney, worthy of trust, and no more decent human being that I have ever known," said Nossaman Partner William (Bill) T. Bagley.  Mr. Bagley was previously a member of the California Legislature, served the U.S. Civil Rights Commission on its Advisory Board, was appointed by President Ford as the first Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and served as a member and Chairman of the California Transportation Commission and as a California Public Utilities Commission Commissioner.

"I traveled with John several times, most memorably once on an automobile trip to Scotland. John was always a great mover. "Come on, Knox.  Get up!  We're going out and get some culture," and off we'd be to a museum, a historical monument, a stunning landscape.  My life is richer in every way for the benefit of John's ebullient energy.  I can't believe it has been snuffed so suddenly.  His works persist,"  said former Nossaman Partner John  T. Knox (1982). Mr. Knox was elected to the California Assembly in 1960 and served for two decades, including as Speaker Pro Tem from 1976-1980. He was one of the most prolific and respected legislators of his generation, successfully authoring key bills and revisions in areas including health care, environment, water, local government and corporate law.

Mr. Foran chaired the Assembly and Senate Transportation Committees, and was a member of the Senate Energy & Utilities Committee.  He was a member of the Assembly from 1963 to 1976 and the Senate from 1976 through 1986.  Besides chairing the transportation committees, he was chairman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.  Mr. Foran also served as ex officio Legislative Member of the California Transportation Commission and the California Public Works Board, and was a member of the Governor's Task Force on Transportation and Infrastructure.  While a legislator, he authored several important laws relating to public transportation, including the law creating the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in the San Francisco Bay Area, legislation pertaining to the allocation of State Transportation Assistance Funds, and legislation to provide $300 million in transportation funds to California cities and counties.

Services were held at St. Ignatius Church on the University of San Francisco campus.