COSTA MESA, Calif., January 7, 2015 – Senior partners Milford Dahl, Jr. and John Hurlbut, Jr., both of Rutan & Tucker, LLP, California’s largest full-service law firm based in Orange County, recently celebrated 50-year milestones in their law practices. Remarkably, they have practiced law solely at Rutan & Tucker, which traces its own roots back to 1906.
Through their long and distinguished careers, the two have successfully represented thousands of clients, won challenging cases involving tens of millions of dollars, logged untold hours performing pro bono legal services, and mentored generations of young lawyers.
Along the way, they have been recognized for their exemplary service and devotion to their respective litigation practices, yet found time to lead balanced, family-centered lives.
A Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and designated multiple times as a Southern California Super Lawyer over his tenure, Dahl has also actively participated with the UCLA Alumni Association, Harbor Hill Homeowners Association, Santa Ana First Presbyterian Church, Mariners Church, Santa Ana Kiwanis Club, Santa Ana-Tustin YMCA, Santa Ana Junior Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, and the Fly Fishers Club of Orange County.
A former UCLA All-American track star and a1965 graduate Order of the Coif of the UCLA School of Law where he was on law review, he became a partner at Rutan & Tucker in 1971. His father, Milford Dahl, Sr., was one of the firm’s founding partners and lectured for the CEB.
Also an outstanding athlete in college, Hurlbut has been practicing at Rutan & Tucker since graduating from Stanford Law School in 1964, when he became one of six attorneys recruited directly from top law schools, the first time the firm did so. He became a partner in 1970 and during his career has headed the firm’s Trial Section and been a Managing Partner.
Recognized as being among the Best Lawyers in America and also recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyer multiple times, Hurlbut has been the recipient of many honors. He received the Orange County Bar Association Harmon G. Scoville Award in 2003 and was the Public Law Center Attorney of the Year in 2007. In addition, Hurlbut was given the Anti-Defamation League Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence Award in 2010 and the Orange County Bar Association Franklin G. West Award in 2012. In 2003, the firm even created the John B. Hurlbut Award for “setting the highest standard of excellence, teamwork and integrity.” Hurlbut was the first recipient and there have only been two others.
At an event acknowledging their 50-year law careers, Dahl said, “I encourage all lawyers from the first year through the eldest to keep the vision, dream big, and work hard.”
Hurlbut cited the fact that for more than a quarter of the firm’s attorneys, Rutan & Tucker is the only place they have practiced since graduating from law school. “Most of us here think that Rutan & Tucker is indeed a best place to work,” he said. “On a personal note, I so appreciate the relationships I have with so many of you. I do consider the Rutan & Tucker family my second family. I’m proud to be a lifer.”
“We are especially honored to call Milford and John our colleagues and mentors,” said Steve Nichols, managing partner of the firm. “They embody the rich history of our firm and have set an example for all of us at Rutan & Tucker to follow now and well into the future.”
About Rutan & Tucker LLP
Rutan & Tucker is California’s largest full-service law firm headquartered in Orange County, California with offices in Costa Mesa and Palo Alto. Primary practice areas include corporate and securities law, business and real estate litigation, labor and employment law, intellectual property, real estate, government and regulatory law, land use law, bankruptcy, condemnation and property valuation, environmental law, and taxation and estate planning. Detailed information about the firm is available at www.rutan.com.