Best Lawyers in America ® 2012 has named John B. Isbister to its 2012 Best Lawyers list for his commercial litigation and product liability litigation practices for the fifth consecutive year. In addition, after more than a quarter of a century in publication, Best Lawyers is designating "Lawyers of the Year" in high-profile legal practices in large legal communities. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the "Lawyer of the Year." Mr. Isbister has been named Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants Lawyer of the Year in Baltimore.
The lawyers being honored as "Lawyers of the Year" have received particularly high ratings in those surveys for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.
Steven Naifeh, President of Best Lawyers, says, "We continue to believe – as we have believed for more than 25 years – that recognition by one’s peers is the most meaningful form of praise in the legal profession. We congratulate John Isbister on being selected as the ‘Baltimore Best Lawyers Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants Lawyer of the Year’ for 2012."
Mr. Isbister has earned a national reputation as a knowledgeable, responsive attorney focused on achieving favorable results for his clients as evidenced by his inclusion in the 2010 and 2011 editions of Benchmark Litigation. Mr. Isbister was recognized as a "local star" in the State of Maryland for his complex litigation practice in the areas of antitrust, commercial, D&O liability, real estate, and securities as well as his "representation of public and private entities in matters of products liability, toxic torts, and environmental litigation."
Mr. Isbister has served in a number of leadership positions in the Section of Litigation of the American Bar Association, including serving as co-chair of the Products Liability Committee, Division Director, and member of the Council. In 2009, he was elected the first Publications and Content Officer of the Section of Litigation. He is also the founder and program chair of the American Bar Association’s National Institute on Class Actions, an annual event for leaders in the class action field.
Mr. Isbister is a former president of the Federal Bar Association’s Maryland chapter. In 2004, he was elected to membership in the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel.
Outside his professional practice, he has been an active volunteer and leader in community affairs. Mr. Isbister has served on the boards of the Howard County Police Foundation, Leadership Howard County, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Howard County General Hospital and the United Way. He is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Horizon Foundation, which promotes and enhances the health and wellness of the Howard County community. He is also a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. In 2006, the Legal Aid Bureau’s Equal Justice Council presented him with a Champions of Justice Award.
He is AV® Peer Review Rated – the highest possible Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
These rankings showcase Tydings’ local litigation experience in the areas of appellate cases, commercial litigation, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, products liability defense, class action/mass torts, antitrust litigation, and family law; as well as the firm’s corporate experience in real estate.
Bill Carrier, the firm’s managing partner, believes John’s recognition reflects the firm’s longstanding reputation and its attorneys’ experience. He said, "Tydings is guided by the premise that lawyers must be trusted counsel and skilled advocates. We are gratified to have that acknowledged by Best Lawyers."