Most people know me as a California personal injury attorney. Long before I became a lawyer, I served in the United States Air Force and built a career in data communications engineering. That work took me into the Space Shuttle program and advanced defense communications. My story started with a decision I made at 17.
Why I joined the Air Force at 17
With permission from my high school counselor and an Air Force recruiter, I took the GED exam at 17. I passed, skipped my senior year of high school, and enlisted in the United States Air Force. That decision put me on a path I couldn’t have imagined when I was sitting in my counselor’s office.
Building networks before the modern Internet
After serving in the Air Force, I built a career as a data communications engineer. We worked on advanced computer networks before the Internet became part of everyday life. My clients included major military organizations, aerospace companies, and Fortune 500 corporations.
Two assignments stand out. I had the opportunity to work on the United States Space Shuttle program and on a defense communications network associated with the Strategic Defense Initiative, often called “Star Wars.” I was fortunate to work with people solving difficult communications problems at a time when the field was changing rapidly.
Starting over in law
I had a successful engineering career and wanted to take on a different challenge. I went back to school, earned my law degree at the University of La Verne, and passed California’s three-day bar exam in 1996. In June 1997, I was sworn in as a California attorney.
Nearly three decades later, I represent people throughout California who have suffered serious injuries because of someone else’s negligence. Engineering still shapes how I work. I start by investigating the facts, pay close attention to details, and prepare cases thoroughly. I believe clients deserve personal attention and an attorney who takes the time to understand what happened and how it affected their lives.
Why I’m sharing my story
I was once a 17-year-old who chose an unconventional path. Later, I was an established engineer who went back to school to become a lawyer. If you’re weighing a career change, thinking about going back to school, or considering a path that surprises the people around you, I hope my story gives you some encouragement to take the next step.
— Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez
Free California Personal Injury Consultation
The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates represents people who have suffered serious injuries across California. If you were seriously injured because of someone else’s negligence, call 800-816-1529 for a free consultation.
About Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez
