About Us – Langeland Law

Erik H. Langeland

Erik H. Langeland founded the firm in 2003 to provide high-quality legal services to those in need. Erik graduated cum laude from Bowdoin College in 1989 with a double major in Economics and Government and a minor in Art History. In 1991, he graduated from Columbia University with a Masters in International Affairs, where he studied International Law and Human Rights. Erik received his Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School in 1994. Erik is admitted to practice in New York and Massachusetts, the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the District of Massachusetts, and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

A Message from Erik

The Nazis invaded Norway—my father’s homeland—on April 9, 1940. Capturing the King of Norway during the invasion was a critical military objective for Germany. The King and the Norwegian Government escaped the invasion forces by fleeing to the North. The Germans pursued the King but were met by resistance at a bridge (Fossum Bridge) in the southeast of Norway. My father fought the Nazis for the first time in that battle. He was struck and wounded by schrapnel from a mortar but, fortunately, he survived. Most of the soldiers he fought with were not so lucky.

The King and the Norwegian Government were able to escape the invading forces and fled to England. But the rest of the Norwegians were left to suffer with a brutal Nazi occupation force, which exceeded 300,000 troops.

My grandfather—Oliver H. Langeland—led the resistance movement in Oslo, Norway during the occupation. Death was the penalty for resisting the Germans. Nonetheless, thousands of men were under my grandfather’s command. He knew that if he were caught, he would be tortured and the resistance and all of his men were at risk. He, therefore, had cyanide in his lapel and slept with a revolver under his pillow. He would have taken his life before risking the lives of his men. One of his men was my father. While he was in the resistance, he was arrested, imprisoned, and tortured. They were extraordinary men who served their country bravely.

After the war ended, my grandfather wrote two books that were critical of the Norwegian Government’s handling of the war. In return, they brought him to trial for slander. Although my grandfather was not a lawyer, he defended himself and was acquitted. Nonetheless, the Norwegian Government banned his books and they were unpublished for forty years. A few years ago, the books were published and his home town unveiled a statue of him to honor his service.

These men have had a profound impact on my life. When I was old enough to understand what they had done, I decided to devote my life to the pursuit of justice and human rights. I believe in freedom, civil rights, and free speech. I will fight for your rights.