An endless quest for justice: Defense legend John Bell never stopped fighting for his clients By Dan Rafter — Special to Law Bulletin Media John W. Bell Seeking justice. That’s what John Bell, one of the founders of Chicago law firm Johnson & Bell, says both inspired him to become a lawyer and to work in the field of law for more than four decades. And when Bell, now retired, looks back at his successful career, that fight for justice is what he says he misses most. Like other legal legends, though, Bell’s path to a career in law wasn’t a straight one. Bell said that his parents wanted him to become a doctor. Figuring that this was a solid career path, Bell worked through his pre-med classes until he ran into organic chemistry. That class convinced him that a medical career wasn’t in his future. “I didn’t like the sight of blood,” Bell said. “I realized that there was no way I could be a doctor.” With medical school ruled out, Bell made the switch to law, attending and grad- uating from Loyola University’s law school. He worked hard, enjoyed his studies and graduated cum laude. And he knew that a career in law was the right fit. The only problem? Bell wasn’t sure what type of law he wanted to practice. While working as a law clerk, though, Bell sat in on a hearing when Albert Jenner, one of the name partners at famed Chicago law firm Jenner & Block, argued a motion. “I thought to myself, ‘This is going to be interesting,’” Bell said. “I was going to see the head of Jenner & Block in action.” After listening to Jenner’s argument, though, Bell realized that Jenner wasn’t doing anything that Bell himself couldn’t do. “That made me realize that I could become a trial lawyer,” Bell said. “That was the real impetus, watching someone whose name was on the door of such a powerful and famous law firm and realizing that I could do the same thing. That’s what inspired me to become a trial attorney.” This didn’t mean, though, that Bell knew exactly what kind of trial attorney he wanted to be. He spent long hours watching other skilled trial pros throughout the city, and was particularly impressed with Philip Corboy, founder of another famed Chicago law firm, Corboy & Demetrio.
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It really is all about justice. I get emotional about it. It’s a high calling.
48 JURY VERDICT REPORTER • 2023 ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYER EXCELLENCE AWARDS
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