Rompala, Joseph

AS A PREEMINENT LEADER in the legal community, the work of senior partner Browne Greene has set new standards in the practice of law and furthered the plaintiff's cause nationwide. Browne has been listed in Woodward & White's "The Best Lawyers in America" every year since its first edition in 1987. He was named Trial Lawyer of the Year (1990, 1991) by Verdictum Juris Publications. In 1978, the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles also honored him as Trial Lawyer of the Year. Browne has tried and won more million-dollar jury verdicts in the history of California. His trial record includes numerous seven-and-eight-figure verdicts involving motor vehicle accidents, product liability, truck accidents, medical malpractice, police misconduct, wrongful death, workplace incidents, municipal liability, burn injuries, entertainment and performing arts accidents and breach of contract matters.

In September 1989, the California State Bar poll selected Browne as one of the top two most respected civil trial lawyers in the state. Town and Country magazine (1989) and the Los Angeles Daily Journal (1995) also placed him on its list of leading attorneys. Browne was named a Super Lawyer by Southern California Super Lawyers, as well as to its Top Los Angeles County Lawyers, in its 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 editions. In 1989, he was a National Finalist for the Trial Lawyer of the Year Award by Trial Lawyers for Public Justice. His service to the profession is widely recognized by his peers. Browne has been honored with three major awards by the Consumer Attorneys of California. He is the only two-time recipient (1992 and 2005) of its "Marvin E. Lewis Award" in Recognition of Continued Guidance, Loyalty, Friendship, and Dedication to Fellow Lawyers and was honored. In 1984, Ralph Nader presented him with the "Consumer Advocate of the Year Award." Additionally, Browne received the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles' "Ted Horn Memorial Award" in Recognition of Service to the Bar, and in 2006 was inducted into its Inaugural Hall of Fame.

In 2006, Browne received the prestigious Rage for Justice Lifetime Achievement Award from The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. Browne was named by Lawdragon.com to its inaugural list of "The Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers" and its list of "The Lawdragon 500 Plaintiffs Lawyers" in the United States. Browne was admitted as a Diplomat to the American Board of Trial Advocates and is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates. He has lectured and written extensively for trial lawyer organizations and has held their key leadership positions. Browne is an active member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) and served as its President (1979), Secretary (1975), and Treasurer (1974), and on the Board of Governors (1971-1973.) Since 1973, Browne served on the Board of Governors of the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC). He served as its President (1986-87) and chaired its Political Action Committee (1980). In 1972, he co-founded the California Arbitration Plan, now a statewide feature used in the California court system.

Browne serves on the Board of Directors for Edgemar Center for the Arts. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Little Dolphins Pre-School and 7 Arrows Elementary School. He is a strong supporter of the Swedish School of Los Angeles, and a judge in the Shakespeare Festival. Browne also gives back to the community as a volunteer for Big Brothers of Los Angeles. He is a graduate of George Washington University in Washington D.C. (B.A., 1958 and LL.B., 1961), and began his legal career in the Judge Advocates General's Corp. (JAG) of the U.S. Air Force. Browne served in France from 1961 to 1964, where he attained the rank of captain. When beginning his civil law career, Browne practiced as an insurance casualty adjuster and defense attorney.