Kansas Association for Justice Announces Lynn R. Johnson JUSTICE Award

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Charlotte Krebs, Executive Director, Kansas Association for Justice (KsAJ) said, "Mr. Johnson's distinguished career as a plaintiff's attorney in the Kansas City area has included ongoing and exceptional service in leadership to the professional associations which advocate for justice, professional excellence and consumer rights in Kansas, Missouri and nationally."

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"Lynn Johnson served as president of the (then) Kansas Trial Lawyers Association in 1978 and 79.  His contributions of time and talent have continued unabated ever since," Krebs said. "Johnson has served as chair of most of the committees which support the success of the KsAJ.   His leadership has been equally influential in the life of KsAJ's Foundation from its beginning to the present day."

According to Krebs, the Awards Committee discussed the longevity, quality and importance of Lynn Johnson's contributions to the association, the foundation and the mission they serve; a new award was needed to recognize such an exceptional individual.

Krebs said, "It is the intention of KsAJ's leadership for the Lynn R. Johnson JUSTICE Award to be the organization's premier award.   It will only be given under extraordinary circumstances to individuals whose accomplishments on behalf of justice approach the significance of those which have been made by Lynn R. Johnson.  

The KsAJ leadership hopes Lynn's influence will inspire others to make significant investments of their time and talent by giving back to the profession they love and the public they serve."

"It is extraordinary to name an award after a living, working lawyer," said Randy Kinnard, himself considered one of America's top trial lawyers.

"When Lynn's name was announced, a roar went up from the packed room of trial lawyers," said Kinnard. "They gave Lynn a standing ovation.  Surprised by the award, Lynn gave an uplifting, humble, acceptance speech that brought tears to the eyes of each attendee, including me. You could tell just by the expression on Lynn's face that he was deeply moved."

Recently, The Best Lawyers in America recognized Lynn Johnson as the 2011 Kansas City, Missouri, Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year.  Lynn has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for 25 consecutive years.

(Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.  Best Lawyers compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Lynn R. Johnson's peers recognized him as the best medical malpractice lawyer in the Kansas City region.)

Lynn is also a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates. (The inner Circle of Advocates is an invitation-only group of the best plaintiff lawyers in the United States.  Invitation is based on performance and success in the courtroom. The Inner Circle carefully evaluates experience, reputation, judicial references, and peer evaluations to identify the best 100 trial lawyers in the country. The Inner Circle looks for cutting edge lawyers in their jurisdiction who are active courtroom lawyers with a willingness to learn and teach about their craft and to be part of a close-knit, sharing group of professional colleagues.

Raised on the family farm just east of Oberlin, in western Kansas; Lynn learned at an early age to take responsibility for his own conduct.  His family's basic moral concept inspired Lynn's work as a trial attorney -- fighting to protect the rights of individual consumers who have been injured as a result of irresponsible corporate conduct that is often left unchallenged.

Lynn's formal education began in a one-room country schoolhouse in Kanona, Kansas, continued to an undergraduate degree from Kansas State University in 1967 and led to a Juris Doctor degree with honors from Washburn University School of Law in 1970. He is a life member of the Alumni Associations of both universities and has served as President of the Washburn Law School Association.

Lynn has been married for more than 25 years to Jacqueline Lovelace Johnson. Jackie has served for many years as Chair of the Board of Directors of Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute in Albuquerque, NM, the second largest respiratory research institute in the United States. Jackie and Lynn have one son, William Randolph (Randy) Johnson Lovelace who is currently a senior at Connecticut College.

SOURCE Kansas Association for Justice