John J. Hughes

Background

    Mr. Hughes is licensed to practice law in the State of California in State and Federal trial and appellate Courts.  He brings practical experience to the representation of victims of marine injuries having served on ships and boats of various types as a naval officer.  He also holds a Senior Advanced Diver certification from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), is active in sailing, and is a member of U.S. Sailing.

Education

    Mr. Hughes was graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1965 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in the field of mathematics.  In 1980 he received his Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law, Magna Cum Laude, and in 1981 he was awarded the degree of Master of Laws in Admiralty, With Distinction, by Tulane University.

Military Service

    Mr. Hughes served as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy and is a veteran of the Viet Nam War.  He served aboard an ocean going minesweeper, a destroyer, and was Officer-in-Charge of one of the Navy's three patrol air cushion vehicles (hovercraft) assigned to inland waters and overland missions in Viet Nam.  He also served as Commanding Officer of Mobile Mine Assembly Group, Unit Eight.  Significant awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with combat "v" distinguishing device, the Navy Achievement Medal with combat "v" distinguishing device, the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation with star in lieu of second award, the Meritorious Unit Citation, Viet Nam Service Medal with one silver and two bronze stars, the Vietnamese Honor Medal First Class, the Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Republic of Viet Nam Civil Action Medal.  He is a graduate of the Navy's acclaimed Destroyer School in Newport, Rhode Island, a six month intensive course of class room, simulator, and shipboard instruction in every facet of vessel operations including steam and diesel engineering, electrical systems, deck seamanship, navigation and piloting, and ship handling.