Hodge Larmon Dolle Jr.

January 23, 1934 - February 14, 2025 In Loving Memory of Hodge L. Dolle, Jr.
1/23/1934-2/14/2025
It's not easy to explain the man that Hodge L. Dolle, Jr. was. He was more of a "presence" than just a man. If you were in a room and Hodge came in, you just knew it. When he walked into a courtroom, the judge, jury, and counsel could feel it. He didn't have to say anything to let people know he had arrived. And certainly, no party was complete until Hodge got there. For those who knew and loved him his presence will still be there every time we happen upon a picture of him with his wide, friendly smile or recall his hearty laugh, or one of his stories or jokes from his endless supply.
Hodge passed away peacefully on February 14, 2025, in Palm Desert, California with his cherished wife Judith at his side.
Hodge was born on Tuesday, January 23, 1934, in Santa Monica, California to Jean and Hodge L. Dolle, Sr., Esq.
Hodge graduated from Los Angeles High in 1952 and then went to the University of Southern California where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. USC would remain close to his heart for the rest of his life. In 1955 while still an undergraduate, Hodge met Walt Disney and ended up helping him set the price of parking for the opening day at Disneyland. At about the same time, Hodge wrote the song "Have Another Cigarette" which was recorded by Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra. Did he really do those things
Of course he did, that was Hodge, he was up for anything!
After graduating from USC, Hodge served in the United States Air Force where he rose to the rank of Captain. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he returned to USC's law school, graduating in 1961. Hodge was admitted to California Bar in January 1962 and later to the California Court of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, the U. S. District Court, Southern District of California; and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
After becoming a member of the California Bar, Hodge practiced alongside his father Hodge Sr. at Hansen and Dolle, exclusively in the arena of condemnation and eminent domain law. The father and son team later became partners at Meserve, Mumper & Hughes where they had multiple reported successful cases on appeal. Later on, Hodge and his father formed Dolle and Dolle, where Hodge represented Bob Hope (who referred to Hodge as "my actor-lawyer"), Mark Taper, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Salvation Army, and many other prominent clients. In 1992 Hodge began representing Soka University of America in its years long, highly contentious defense against the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Hodge was later honored for that work in Japan by Daisaku Ikeda, the Buddhist leader, author, educator, and president of the Soka Gakkai, which is considered among the largest of Japan's religious movements.
He was a member of the Condemnation Attorneys Group, the California State Bar Committee on Condemnation Law, the Los Angeles City Board of Zoning Adjustment, and the Board of Counselors of the USC Gould School of Law.
Hodge was the driving force behind Senate Bill 821 (1991, Petris) which redefined the definition of "fair market value" as it relates to "Special Use Properties"in eminent domain and inverse condemnation actions, thereby helping to assure that owners of schools, churches and other non-profit special use properties received their constitutionally mandated just compensation.
Renowned for his legal acumen, creative legal arguments and for being among the first attorneys to adapt multimedia courtroom techniques to captivate juries with what could sometimes be – let's face it–rather tedious mathematic expert appraisal testimony. Hodge's sharp wit and innovative approach to law earned him a stellar reputation and the admiration of his colleagues.
Hodge was a member of the Jonathan Club and Bel Air Country Club, but was just as at home with dinner and drinks at Chez Jay, deep-sea fishing with his buddies in Cabo, or traveling to South Bend every other year for the 'SC Notre Dame football game.
Hodge's birthday parties were legendary – thanks in large part to Judith's care and creativity. Who can forget the USC Marching Band parading through their Bel Air home blaring "Happy Birthday
"Even last year, many of Hodge's old and new friends made their way to Wally's Desert Turtle in Rancho Mirage to celebrate Hodge on his 90th birthday.
Describing him as a husband, father, trial attorney, friend, mentor, adventurer, traveler, raconteur, lover, jokester, teacher, songwriter, business manor a source of endless fun is true, of course, but still fails to capture the richness of the life he lived. Hodge was a Bon Vivant, always a gentleman and a genuine class act.
His creativity and generosity knew no bounds, and he always found unique ways to engage and entertain those fortunate enough to know him. His zest for life and his ability to find humor in every situation were truly remarkable and he certainly wasn't above having a good laugh at himself when the time came.
Hodge is survived by: his loving wife Judith, his son Chad Dolle of Los Angeles, daughters Marcy Dolle Bazzani (Matthew) of Santa Barbara, and Keila Dolle Rubinstein (Joseph) of Los Angeles, and granddaughters Antonia and Miabella Bazzani.
He will be deeply missed but forever remembered in our hearts. Rest in peace, Hodge. Your legacy of love, laughter, and light will endure.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Autism Society of Los Angeles: www.autismla.org