Michael P. Maguire Sworn in as National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates

DALLAS (January 31, 2019)—Michael P. Maguire was installed as National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates at the organization’s National Board Meeting at the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California, on Jan. 19. Mr. Maguire of Michael Maguire and Associates in Costa Mesa, California, took the oath of office from the Hon. William W. Bedsworth, Associate Justice of the California Fourth District Court of Appeal.

ABOTA is an invitation-only national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to civil jury trials. ABOTA’s primary goal is to educate the American public about the history and value of the right to trial by jury and is dedicated to elevating the standards of skill, integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.

Founded in 1958, ABOTA has a membership of more than 7,600 experienced attorneys representing both the plaintiff and defense bars in civil cases, ABOTA is uniquely qualified to speak for the value of the constitutionally-mandated jury system as the protector of the rights of persons and property. The ABOTA Foundation, the nonprofit educational arm of the organization, was established in 1992 to provide education to the American public about the right to trial by jury and to improve the professional skills of trial attorneys.

Mr. Maguire, was admitted into ABOTA in 1994 and has served as a National Board Member since 2001. He served two terms as National Treasurer and has served as a chair or member on a number of committees and task forces. In 2014, Mr. Maguire served as President of the ABOTA Foundation.

Mr. Maguire expressed pride in ABOTA’s role within the legal community for its qualifying standards, balance between both sides of the bar, and commitment to preserving the right to a jury trial.

“I am also excited ABOTA has committed to the Save Our Juries civic awareness campaign to increase public understanding of jurors’ integral role in protecting the constitutional rights of Americans,” he said. “The future of civil jury trials depends on a public that values the essential democratic role juries play in our justice system.”

Before swearing him in, Judge Bedsworth highlighted Mr. Maguire’s long-term commitment to volunteerism and his community as well as his accomplishments in helping organize a task force to prosecute child molestation and sexual assault cases and later gang homicides when he served as a deputy district attorney.

Michael P. Maguire Professional Information: President, Foundation of ABOTA (2014); Trustee of the Foundation of ABOTA (2012-present); National Executive Committee (2007-2009, 2011, 2014, 2016-present); ABOTA National Treasurer (2007, 2008); National Board of Directors (2001-present); Presidential Task Force (2010-present); National Committee Chair/Co-Chair: Chapter Relations & Revitalization (2009- 2013); Membership (2004-2006); Professional Education (2012-2013); Judicial Liaison (2003). Past National Committee Member: ABOTA Initiative; Professionalism, Ethics and Civility; Expedited Jury Trials; Civil Justice; Membership; Chapter Relations; Professional Education; CAL-ABOTA Board (2002-2004, 2006); President Orange County Chapter (2003); ABOTA Orange County Chapter Executive Board since 1998; Masters In Trial (1997-2009, 2014); ABOTA Leadership Conference presenter (2008-2014); Frequent speaker on subject of Short, Summary and Expedited Jury Trials; California State Bar, Litigation Section; Louisiana Judges College; Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System; and Moderator at National Jury Summit (2013)

Law Related Community service: National Center for State Courts-Lawyers Committee; Temporary Judge Orange County Superior Court; President Orange County Bar Foundation 2004; Treasurer; Board of Trustees; Shortstop Program Chair and instructor; Awarded “Sammy” (Robert S. Barnes Award) for Outstanding Support and Contributions to the Orange County Bar Foundation Youth and Family programs; Member of the Robert Banyard Inn of Court; DRI and the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel

Education: B.A., University of California, Irvine; J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles