WASHINGTON, D.C. — John H. Martin, a veteran mass tort and aviation lawyer, has been elected vice president of Lawyers for Civil Justice, a national organization of defense lawyers and corporate counsel dedicated to fairness and improvements within the civil justice system.

Martin, a partner at the Dallas office of the law firm Thompson & Knight, will join the senior officers of the organization and become its president in 2010.

Martin is recognized for his legal work and public speaking on catastrophic injury, mass tort and aviation litigation.  His client base includes major commercial air carriers, aviation product manufacturers and general aviation interests in accident litigation, including federal and state court cases arising out of accidents involving fatalities and other injuries.  He also practices extensively in the areas of professional liability, health care and general business and commercial litigation. In addition to his position with Lawyers for Civil Justice, Martin is president of one of the organization's affiliates; DRI — the Voice of the Defense Bar.

Created by defense trial lawyers and corporate counsel, Lawyers for Civil Justice is a national coalition supporting excellence, fairness and improvements within the civil justice system.

DRI — The Voice of the Defense Bar is the national organization of more than 22,000 defense trial lawyers and corporate counsel.