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FDCC News
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Mike is the founder of the
prestigious San Diego, California
law firm of Neil Dymott Hudson,
where he was the senior attorney
and a accomplished trial lawyer.
In the course of his storied career
Mike tried over 140 cases to verdict.
He holds the rank of Diplomate in
ABOTA, and is one of only twenty
attorneys in San Diego to be
inducted into the American College
of Trial Lawyers. Mike has served
as the President of the Association
of Defense Counsel of Southern
California, once served as a director
of the San Diego Padres, and was
instrumental in the effort to bring
PETCO Park, the Padres baseball
stadium, to downtown San Diego.
Remarkably, in 1990, at the age of
50, Mike was called to active duty
again and took command of Camp
Pendleton during Operation Desert
Shield, which would be Camp
Pendleton’s largest mobilization
since the Vietnam War.
To most of us, Mike is larger than
life and no doubt could be an
intimidating force as an advocate
if he chose to do so. But Mike is
known for treating his adversaries
with dignity and respect, and was
recognized as such by being the
recipient of the San Diego Bar
Association’s Daniel T. Broderick
Award for Civility, Integrity and
Professionalism in trial advocacy.
Mike joined the Federation in 1986
and has continuously served us
at the highest level since. He was
the Convention Chair with his wife
Jan for our Annual Meeting in San
Diego in 2005, when then President
Jean Lawlor made her appearance
on the USS Midway by helicopter.
It was during this Convention that
Mike’s love for San Diego was on
full display to our members.
Shortly thereafter, Mike was
nominated to be FDCC Secretary
Treasurer, then served as President
of the Federation from 2011-2012,
and later as Chairman of the
Board. To this day he attends the
Federation Board meetings as a Past
President to share his wisdom and
offer his guidance and advice.
Federation members never forget
the first time they met Mike and
Jan, with their huge hearts, sincerity
and generosity. The General’s
dedication to the Federation and
its members has been nearly
limitless. The General is a dedicated
and loving husband, father of two
children, Megan and Sean, and is a
grandfather.
Presenting the General with the
Lifetime Achievement Award was
among the greatest honors of my
life. Mike Neil is an American
Hero—and he is our hero. I am
proud to call Mike a friend--as are
countless others in the Federation.
Congratulations Mike Neil! Hoorah!
Todd Roberts is a partner and chairperson
of Ropers Majewski in Menlo Park,
California, FDCC member and past
member of the FDCC Board of Directors.
Todd can be reached at
todd.roberts@ropers.com
The General’s dedication to the Federation and its members has been nearly limitless.
MAYBE ANOTHER
PICTURE OF MIKE NEIL