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Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.Share Holder
J. Lawson Johnston
Pro

J. Lawson Johnston

5.0
1 review

444 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Railroad Law, Litigation and Regulatory Counsel, Transportation Law and 1 more

About J. Lawson Johnston

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

 

J. Lawson Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

J. Lawson Johnston got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for J. Lawson

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Services

Areas of Law

  • Other 4
    • Railroad Law
    • Litigation and Regulatory Counsel
    • Transportation Law
    • Workers' Compensation

Practice Details

  • Firm Information
    Position
    Shareholder
    Firm Name
    Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    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
    short line railroads in numerous FELA, crossing accident
    trespasser trials
    Involved in supervising railroad personnel in investigating catastrophic injuries
    derailments
    coordinating railroad response to National Safety Transportation Board
    Federal Railroad Administration, leading to successful early amicable resolution of injury
    property damage claims
    Successfully represented railroads in OSHA matters involving death of employees in claims involving railroad rules violations

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    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

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
    Class of 1974
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Temple University
    Class of 1968
    B.A.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    J. Lawson Johnston was admitted in 1974 to the State of Pennsylvania.
  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    J. Lawson Johnston is admitted to practice before the 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 and United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. has 194 attorneys at this location.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    J. Lawson Johnston attended Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.
  • Is this attorney listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers?
    J. Lawson Johnston is listed in the Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, General Practice, Insurance Law, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability Law, Toxic Torts and Workers Compensation section of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

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• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

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