Congratulations to John Sweeney. With a remarkable 40-year career, Sweeney has established himself as a tireless advocate for justice, an unflinching champion of civil rights, and one of the most respected trial lawyers in the country. His legal victories have shaped not only the law but also the very fabric of social justice, both locally and nationally.
John Sweeney’s impact extends beyond the courtroom—his legal work has brought about substantial policy changes, secured monumental recoveries, and illuminated issues of police misconduct, institutional racism, and civil rights violations. Sweeney has handled more than 200 jury trials, earning national acclaim and countless awards throughout his career. He is lauded for his dedication to equality and for fighting on behalf of those whose voices might otherwise go unheard.
Among Sweeney's many honors are:
- In 2022, the State Bar of California inducted him as just the 34th member of its prestigious Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame.
- In 2022, he received the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Community Impact Award from the Los Angeles Business Journal.
- In 2021, Sweeney was named California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) by the San Francisco/Los Angeles Daily Journal.
- In 2021, he was presented with the Street Fighter of the Year Award by the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC).
- In 2017, he received the inaugural Trial Master Award from the National Bar Association.
- In 2015, he was honored with the Martin Luther King Drum Major Award for Community Service by the worldwide United Methodist Church.
Sweeney's work in civil rights law has brought him to the forefront of several groundbreaking cases, particularly those involving police misconduct and excessive force. Notably, he played a pivotal role in exposing the existence of the “Executioners” gang within the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, a chilling discovery that led to sweeping reforms. His case work, including landmark trials such as Thomas v. County of Los Angeles (2013) and Taylor v. County of Los Angeles (2017), has resulted in multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, setting new precedents in the fight for racial justice.
A proud member of ABOTA since 2011, Sweeney has not only served the Los Angeles Chapter but has also been a leader on the national stage. He has served eight years as a co-chair of the National ABOTA Diversity and Inclusion Committee and has been a key player in ABOTA’s efforts to enhance trial advocacy training through initiatives like the “Dismissed with Prejudice” program.
In addition to his legal work, Sweeney is deeply committed to his community. He is the former chairman of the California State African American Museum Foundation Board and has devoted his time to teaching trial advocacy as a faculty member of the NBA’s Trial Advocacy College. Sweeney's leadership extends to his role as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Holman United Methodist Church.
“John Sweeney is the embodiment of what it means to be a trial lawyer,” said his colleague, a fellow ABOTA member. “His ability to advocate for the most vulnerable while remaining steadfast in his pursuit of justice has earned him the respect of everyone in the legal community.”
As the recipient of the 2025 CAL-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, John Sweeney’s legacy as both an outstanding trial lawyer and an advocate for civil rights continues to inspire the next generation of legal professionals.
In his spare time, John enjoys spending time with his family and giving back to his community, embodying the values of service and justice that have defined his extraordinary career.
CAL-ABOTA will celebrate John as the 2025 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award recipient during the Hawaii Conference on November 3-8, 2025 at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island with a special dinner in his honor on Friday, November 7th; please plan to attend the Hawaii Conference for this special occasion; registration information will be available soon.
Congratulations, John!
Joseph McMonigle
President | CAL-ABOTA
