News Summary
John Beckley, head litigator for the Automobile Club of Southern California, received the Specialty Counsel award at the Business Journal’s General Counsel Awards. With nearly three decades at the Auto Club, he has excelled in corporate litigation and pro bono service, contributing significantly to the legal field and community. Beckley’s teamwork ethos has earned the Auto Club recognition as a leading private company in Orange County.
Santa Ana, CA – John Beckley, head litigator for the Automobile Club of Southern California, has received recognition for his leadership and contributions to the legal profession at the recent Business Journal’s 14th annual General Counsel Awards. Beckley was honored in the Specialty Counsel category for his extensive work representing the organization in various legal matters, including employment law and wildfire subrogation.
Beckley has been with the Auto Club for nearly three decades, having joined the organization in 1997 as part of its first in-house litigation team. His career has been marked by a series of promotions, rising to management in 2002, becoming deputy general counsel in 2010, and ultimately being named head litigator three years ago. As head litigator, he oversees all corporate litigation for the Auto Club, which includes significant cases related to class actions, insurance, and employment law.
Throughout his career, Beckley has been instrumental in leading appellate teams that have defended the Auto Club in high-profile cases that made their way to both the California Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals. He has previously defended the Auto Club’s battery program and installment fees, which resulted in at least 16 published legal cases. Beckley stands out as one of the few attorneys in California to successfully lead defenses in two class and representative action trials.
The upcoming General Counsel Awards event is scheduled for November 6 at the Irvine Marriott, where Beckley’s achievements, along with those of other legal professionals, will be celebrated.
Beckley emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration within the Auto Club. His approach has fostered strong relationships with colleagues and the executive team, contributing to numerous successful outcomes for the organization. President and CEO Greg Backley has commended the dedicated employees of the Auto Club for their exceptional service, which has earned the organization recognition as the fourth largest private company in Orange County and achieved $10.6 billion in revenue in 2024. Additionally, the Auto Club ranked first in California for overall customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power.
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Beckley is actively involved in pro bono and nonprofit services. He serves on the board of directors for the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund, chairs the Audit Committee, and is a member of the California Employment Law Council and the Civil Justice Association of California. Beckley’s commitment to mentoring future lawyers is evident as he has volunteered for the Constitutional Rights Foundation’s high school moot court competition, scheduled for November 13. This involvement provides him with a broader perspective on legal issues and allows him to engage with community concerns beyond the Auto Club’s activities.
With a career built on dedication to both legal excellence and community service, John Beckley exemplifies the qualities of a leader within the legal community, earning well-deserved recognition for his numerous contributions to the Automobile Club of Southern California and the legal profession at large.
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Additional Resources
- New Santa Ana
- Wikipedia: Automobile Club of Southern California
- LA Times
- Google Search: Automobile Club of Southern California
- Patch
- Google Scholar: California Supreme Court cases
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