J. Lawson Johnston

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J. Lawson Johnston: Attorney with Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

J. Lawson Johnston is a shareholder of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. and serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Railroad Law, Litigation and Regulatory Counsel Group . He concentrates his practice in the areas of transportation law and commercial law and litigation, with specific emphasis in railroad litigation, toxic tort, and occupational disease.

Mr. Johnston possesses a strong background in civil litigation, employer liability, maritime, and administrative law matters, including OSHA, Public Utility Commission, Jones Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and Black Lung Benefits Act - all areas upon which he has lectured extensively. He has represented Class I and Short Line railroads successfully in pre-trial matters and trials for over 30 years in FELA (Federal Employers’ Liability Act), crossing accident, and trespasser injury cases. In addition, he has represented the hospitality industry and national motor carriers in general liability matters.

Mr. Johnston formerly served as Deputy Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and presided over the first Tort Division for the Commonwealth in Western Pennsylvania after sovereign immunity was abolished.

Professional Accomplishments

•AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 2000
•The Best Lawyers in America : 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in Railroad Law for Pittsburgh
•The Best Lawyers in America since 2006: Railroad Law and Workers’ Compensation Law - Employers

Speaking Engagements

•“OSHA Proposed Constricted Recordkeeping Rules: Best Compliance Practices Uncovered!” (Co-Speaker); live webcast; The Knowledge Group; 3/18/2016

Community

•Neighborhood Legal Services (Protection From Abuse Project)

Press Releases

8/21/2025 Press Releases

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers in America Award Recipients

8/15/2024 Press Releases

Forty-Six Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers Award Recipients

8/17/2023 Press Releases

Forty-Four Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers Award Recipients

8/25/2022 Press Releases

Forty-Three Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers List

8/25/2021 Press Releases

2022 Best Lawyers List includes 44 Attorneys from Dickie McCamey

8/19/2020 Press Releases

Forty-Five Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers list

8/15/2019 Press Releases

Forty-Two Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2020

8/15/2018 Press Releases

Forty-Two Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2019

8/15/2017 Press Releases

Thirty-Seven Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2018

8/15/2016 Press Releases

Thirty-Eight Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2017

2/17/2016 Press Releases

J. Lawson Johnston to Speak on OSHA Proposed Constricted Recordkeeping Rules in Live Webcast

8/24/2015 Press Releases

Thirty-Eight Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2016

See more ›

Areas of Practice (4)

  • Railroad Law
  • Litigation and Regulatory Counsel
  • Transportation Law
  • Workers' Compensation

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Temple University, B.A., 1968
Law School Attended:
Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, J.D., 1974
Year of First Admission:
1974
Admission:
1974, Pennsylvania; Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; United States District Court for the District of Columbia; United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania; United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Memberships:

Memberships

•Allegheny County Bar Association
•National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
•Pennsylvania Bar Association

Reported Cases:
Representative Matters: Obtained dismissal of eight occupational lung disease cases filed by former employees of a national railway company following Frye hearing at which judge precluded testimony of plaintiffs' medical expert; Successfully defended Class I railroad in jury trial in head-on train collision involving four deaths of railroad employees; Successfully defended Class I and short line railroads in numerous FELA, crossing accident and trespasser trials; Involved in supervising railroad personnel in investigating catastrophic injuries and derailments and coordinating railroad response to National Safety Transportation Board and Federal Railroad Administration, leading to successful early amicable resolution of injury and property damage claims; Successfully represented railroads in OSHA matters involving death of employees in claims involving railroad rules violations
ISLN:
906120680

Peer Reviews

5.0/5.0
Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge
Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact J. Lawson Johnston

Contact Information:

888-811-7144  Fax

www.dmclaw.com

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