Meet the Personal Injury Lawyers Attorney in Los Angeles, California
Service to the Community: Have you served on any boards or had leadership positions in the Bar or your community?
Service to the Community: Have you served on any boards or had leadership positions in the Bar or your community?
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I’m careful how I spend my time outside of the office because most of our time is in the office. And when I’m not working most the time I go home to be with my family. But I do spend time in an organization called The American Board of Trial Advocates. That organization’s over 75 years old and it’s made up of plaintiffs lawyers, like I am, defense lawyers, and judges. And its invitation only for people who try cases to verdict. But that’s not what’s great about the organization, I think. What’s great about it is that it’s dedicated to civility in practice.
And what I like is the idea that a person can be a zealous and tough lawyer but still be civil to his opponent and to the court. And what I mean by civil is that my word is my bond. That if I say I’m going to do something that means that it will be done. That I’m not rude to my opponents. That the judge can rely on me to not hide evidence or say I’m going to prove something that I know I can’t prove. And I think those are high ideas and that’s what that organization stands for so I feel good spending my time with other people who try to do the same thing.
Los Angeles, CA personal injury attorney Thomas Johnston talks about the boards he serves on. He explains that I am selective about how I allocate my time outside of the office, as a significant portion of it is spent there. When I am not working, I prioritize spending quality time with my family at home. However, I am also actively involved in an esteemed organization called The American Board of Trial Advocates. With a history spanning over 75 years, this organization comprises plaintiffs’ lawyers like myself, defense lawyers, and judges. Membership is by invitation only, and it is reserved for individuals who have a track record of trying cases to verdict. Yet, what truly distinguishes this organization, in my opinion, is its unwavering dedication to civility in legal practice.
I deeply appreciate the core principle of maintaining civility while being a zealous and tenacious lawyer. It emphasizes that a person can assertively advocate for their client’s interests while remaining respectful towards opposing counsel and the court. To me, being civil means honoring my word as a bond, following through on commitments, treating opponents with courtesy, and upholding integrity by refraining from hiding evidence or making unfounded claims. These principles are held in high regard within the organization, and it brings me a sense of fulfillment to spend my time alongside like-minded individuals who strive for the same ethical standards.
