Honorees

John Robert Sorbo

1921-2006

Born on November 5, 1921 in Omaha, Nebraska, John Sorbo passed away on February 7, 2006.  He was a distinguished veteran of World War II.  He was admitted to the Bar in 1949 after obtaining both his A.B. and L.L.B. from Stanford University.  He came directly to the District Attorney’s Office from law school, and spent four years trying difficult and complex cases.  Sorbo was one of the young, vigorous prosecutors hired by Captain Arthur J. O’Keefe.  Though lacking in experience, Sorbo represented O’Keefe’s philosophy for trading enthusiasm and aggressiveness  for experience and civil service status.  Sorbo led a corps of young, extremely able trial lawyers involved in criminal trial work.  He was a dedicated member of the bar and an inspirational figure for those who followed him the District Attorney’s office.

Sorbo also was instrumental in founding the Bar’s monthly publication and served as editor of Dicta for three years.  He devoted many hours to philanthropic work.  In the 1960s, Sorbo served for two terms on the Developmental Disabilities Board by appointment of Governor Ronald Reagan.  He served on the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Bar Association in 1959, and thereafter was Vice President for two years.

Sorbo left public service with two of his associates from the District Attorney’s Office – John Butler, who subsequently became Mayor of San Diego, and Myron Kaminar, a distinguished litigator – to create an extremely successful law practice.  He subsequently engaged in significant civil litigation and the defense of those accused of crimes.  All three partners enjoyed reputations as remarkable lawyers with outstanding professional competence and high professional standards.  Eventually, Sorbo left criminal practice and focused on civil litigation.  He was a dedicated and well-respected lawyer.  He died in October 2006 after battling prostate cancer for 11 years.close

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