(1928 - 2020)
Ned Good was a distinguished, trailblazing trial attorney in Pasadena, California. After his graduation from USC Law School in 1951, Ned was called to serve his country in the legal section of the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. After his return from Korea, his law career involved numerous trial verdicts and appellate victories which established law benefiting victims of aviation negligence, product defects, and vehicular negligence. Over a career that spanned five decades, Ned earned local and international fame as a pioneer and expert in personal injury and wrongful death cases. He set records for some of the largest settlements and verdicts and established one of the most important principles of liability law in aviation cases in California. His expertise in aviation law arose from his experience as an airplane pilot. In addition to his successful practice, Ned spent much time teaching, writing, lecturing and mentoring other lawyers. Civility and meticulous preparation were his trademarks. Ned served as President of the Inner Circle from 2001-2003.
Over his 50-year career, Ned achieved many firsts, including establishing a spouse's right to sue for loss of consortium in a case that reversed earlier precedent: Rodriguez v. Bethlehem Steel, 30271 (Supreme Court of California. Aug. 21, 1974). He can also be credited for jurors wearing identification badges after he pointed out to a presiding judge in 1971 that jurors did not have anything to identify themselves outside of the courtroom and could be inadvertently tainted. After the judge said he could not afford the cost of the badges, Ned delivered a box of badges to him.
When Ned took a case he took it on and prepared it like it was going to trial. From the smallest to the biggest, that's how he prepared. One of his favorite sayings was: "To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail."
Never one to shy away from a fight, Ned would appeal any adverse ruling he felt was wrong, even if it was not going to be ultimately important to his case. He wanted the law to be right, not just for his cases, but for its own sake. Some of the best California law came about because of Ned, and it is often cited today.
Not only did Ned have tons of spectacular verdicts, but he really enjoyed imparting his legal skills to others through teaching and speaking engagements.
