Vincent D. Howard

When it comes to practicing law, attorney Vincent Howard cannot imagine himself working in any other profession.

“For me, helping people is what makes this work so rewarding,” Howard says, “and at the end of the day, protecting the public is what trial lawyers do.”

In his practice, Howard focuses on individual cases and mass torts involving personal injury and consumer protection matters. His experience in these areas stems from his time at the venerated plaintiffs’ law firm Lopez, Hodes, Restaino, Milman & Skikos, where he handled high-profile mass tort litigation and pharmaceutical injury cases against such behemoth companies as Wal-mart, Merck & Co. and Halliburton Company.

“My legal work has spanned everything from helping people secure compensation for injuries to saving their homes from foreclosure to helping them obtain proper payment from employers,” Howard notes. “And the reason I’ve focused on these areas is because I’ve dedicated my life to righting wrongs and protecting the public.”

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Howard protected the public as a military police officer in the United States Army, serving honorably during America’s first major engagement with Iraq—Operation Desert Storm. During his time in the military, Howard received several awards, including an Overseas Medal, a National Defense Ribbon, and honors for marksmanship and good conduct.

“Without question, my military experience has helped me become a better lawyer,” Howard says. “My work ethic, values, drive, motivation and adaptability were all cultivated during my time in the Army. And when I started my own law firm in 2007, those were the qualities I sought to integrate into the foundation of my practice.”

Coming from the military, one of the nation’s most trusted professions, Howard prides himself on his candor when discussing potential cases. “I am always straightforward and honest about the issues people are facing. If they don’t have a case, I will let them know—I’m not going to sugar-coat it. And that’s true for every member of our legal team.”

It’s no wonder then that Howard has been peer-rated in the national attorney rating directory Martindale-Hubbell as AV Preeminent—the organization’s highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability. Howard has also been listed in Super Lawyers, a peer rating service that recognizes no more than 5 percent of lawyers in the state.

“When people hire us, they can rest assured that they have found a firm of lawyers who truly care about their cases,” says Howard, whose firm has successfully assisted countless California workers receive compensation for their work related injuries and secured millions of dollars for injured clients. “We give people the same advice we would give our own family members.”

In addition to handling cases that call out for justice, Howard supports a variety of community causes and also provides leadership to organizations that help ensure access to the legal system, such as the Orange Country Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, Consumer Attorneys of California, and Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. In 2012 and 2013, the Consumer Attorneys of California recognized Howard’s service to the organization by honoring him with its Presidential Award of Merit.

“I became a lawyer because I wanted to be part of a profession that my son would be proud to say his dad worked for,” Howard says. “That has always been a huge motivating factor for me, and it’s why I strive to do my part in making sure this remains an honorable profession—one I hope my son goes into some day.”

Hometown:

Clarksville, Tennessee

Affiliations

Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA)
Lifetime Member and 2016 President

Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC)
Member and former Board of Governors (2015-19) and Co-Founder of the Diversity Committee

American Association of Justice (AAJ)
Member and former Board of Governors (2015-19) and Past Membership Co-Vice-Chair (2018-2019)

Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) Homeless Task Force
2016 Member

The Veteran’s Legal Institute
Volunteer

Awards

SuperLawyer, 2013-Present
National Association of Distinguished Counsel-Top One Percent, 2015-2018
National Black Lawyers-Top 100 Lawyers, 2015-2016

Education

J.D., Western State College of Law, Dean Scholar

B.A., University of Nevada-Reno (Major: Sociology with an emphasis in Social-Psychology. Minor: Ethnic Studies)