Foundation Chairman Schoville Inducted into Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame
(Nov. 9, 2021) Dennis A.Schoville, chairman of the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation and a retired San Diego trial attorney, was inducted into the California Lawyers Association’s Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in a ceremony Nov. 6. He is only the fourth San Diego attorney in the award’s 27 years to receive the statewide honor.
“Your accomplishments both in the courtroom and in the community,” said Jessica Barclay-Strobel, chair of the Hall of Fame Committee, “the breadth and impact of your litigation practice, and your well-known integrity and professionalism have earned you this award.”
Schoville was one of two attorneys selected for the 2021 Hall of Fame Award. Also selected was Arturo J. Gonzalez, of Morrison & Foerster, a San Francisco law firm.
“We are genuinely delighted by Denny’s recognition and inclusion in the Hall of Fame,” said Sallay Kim, President & CEO of the Support Foundation. “His induction is another testament to his legacy as the extremely accomplished, consummate professional we all know him to be.”
During his 45 years as a trial attorney, Schoville sustained a distinguished multi-state trial and appellate record as both a defense and plaintiff lead counsel. He successfully defended major aviation manufacturers in highly publicized cases, and prosecuted diverse multi-million dollar verdicts for victims in personal injury, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, insurance bad faith, business fraud, sexual assault, and product liability cases. He never lost a case on appeal.
The Consumer Attorneys of San Diego twice named Schoville “Trial Lawyer of the Year.” In 1996, he received the Daniel T. Broderick Memorial Award, epitomizing the highest standards of civility, integrity and professionalism in San Diego. In 2005, Schoville received the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego’s Consumer Advocate of the Year Award. He was named the 2009 California-American Board of Trial Advocate’s Trial Lawyer of the Year for the State of California.
Active in Lawyers Groups
Schoville is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a past Senior Master in the American Inns of Court, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and past president of the San Diego chapter. He is a Charter Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates Foundation and a Life Benefactor Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Schoville currently serves on the board of directors of Alzheimer’s San Diego. He previously served multiple terms as a local school board president, as a trustee of the San Diego Veterans Museum, and as national general counsel of The Distinguished Flying Cross Society.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Schoville qualified as a U.S. Army Aviator and served in the Vietnam War as a helicopter flight section commander. He was awarded two Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, three Purple Hearts, and several other awards for heroism and combat service.
He was severely wounded during a reconnaissance mission, and after lengthy treatment for his wounds, was medically retired from the Army as a captain. He then completed legal studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology, earning a Juris Doctorate (j.D), with distinction, in 1973, and a Master of Law (L.L.M.) in international law from Northwestern University in 1974.
The California Lawyers Association is a non-profit professional association created by the California Assembly for members of the state bar. Its goal is to promote excellence, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in access to justice and the rule of law.
