Page 35 - FDCCFlyer_Spring2024

FDCC News
31
spring | federation flyer
www.thefederation.org
Guys. Many Federation members
have shared an Irish Whiskey and
friendly conservation with The
General over the years.
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.