Grand Rapids, Mich., September 30, 2016 — John (Jack) C. O’Loughlin, an attorney in Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge’s Grand Rapids office, has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
At a recent induction ceremony, O’Loughlin was named a Fellow before an audience of approximately 800 during the 2016 Annual Meeting of the College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“This is a wonderful, well deserved honor for a man who embodies all that is good about our profession,” said Bill Jack, Smith Haughey Chief Executive Officer and Shareholder. “We are very proud of Jack.”
Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.
Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States and Canada, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on important legal issues relating to its mission. The College strongly supports the independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice.
For more than 30 years, Jack has successfully defended hundreds of physicians, nurses, hospitals, and other health care professionals against claims of medical malpractice. He has tried dozens of cases in front of judges and juries throughout Michigan.
“Jack embodies the requirements of the less than one percent of attorneys who are selected as an American College Fellow Those are: an outstanding record of trial advocacy and ethical dealings that are never in question.” said Smith Haughey Founding Partner, L.R. “Bud” Roegge.
In addition to this honor, Jack has been listed in Best Lawyers and Leading Lawyers, listed as a “Michigan Super Lawyer” and a “Local Litigation Star” in Benchmark Litigation. He graduated from Indiana University, where he earned both his J.D. and B.S.