“
As Bell recalls, Corboy commanded the courtroom and conducted masterful cross-examinations. He dressed well. He looked the part of a skilled, success- ful trial attorney. “I thought I wanted to be Phil Corboy,” Bell said. “But then I realized that I couldn’t be Corboy. I had to be who I am. The jury will pick up on you not being totally honest with them, trying to deceive them. I got comfortable being who I was. That was a big hurdle, realizing how important it is to be yourself, be honest with the jury and let the chips fall where they may.” Another lawyer impressed Bell, too, William Johnson. Bell said that he walked into the courtroom one day to see Johnson cross-examining a witness. Bell said it was fascinating watching Johnson in action. The jurors, he said, were craning their necks to get a better look at Johnson as he commanded the courtroom. Johnson’s arguments were precise. And his cross-examination was scientific. “I remember thinking to myself, whatever it is that makes a lawyer special, he’s got it,” Bell said. That started a 46-year partnership, with the two attorneys co-leading Jonson & Bell until Johnson passed away in 2022. Bell said that he and Johnson had a common goal: They wanted to deliver jus- tice. This goal, Bell said, is what kept him in the legal business – and a partner with Johnson -- for so long. “It really is all about justice,” Bell said. “I get emotional about it. It’s a high calling. I represented corporate America, manufacturers and other companies. I had to protect them, and I did the best that I could for them.”
It gives me true pleasure to reflect and comment on the remarkable career of John Bell. First and foremost, he is a trusted, loyal friend of over 60 years. He and I left Kirkland & Ellis and founded the defense firm that is now known as John - son & Bell. From the very beginning, John displayed his unique “common man” ap- proach to trial work. No case was ever too complicated or challenging for him to breakdown into basic tenants of practical reality. Juries loved him for his honesty and trustworthiness – the same charac- teristics that were always on display to his co-workers, family and friends. John has always been famous for his in- tensity when challenged. No one could out work him or catch him unprepared. He is also the only person I have ever worked with that harbored a firm reliance on as - trology. He would always research his op- ponent’s biorhythms before trial to give him further insight into how to beat them. I can only surmise that the moon and stars must have been aligned when our paths first crossed to give me the pleasure of a career spent with such a fine man. I thank and commend the JVR for recogniz- ing John Bell on this day for his lifetime of dedication to the practice of law.”
Hon. William D. Maddux (Ret.)
William Johnson and John Bell
JURY VERDICT REPORTER • 2023 ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYER EXCELLENCE AWARDS 49
Powered by FlippingBook