November 21, 2013 -- In litigation, it’s about having a winning team or the right litigator.
With many years of experience as a litigator, Johnny L. Litman III, understands all too well the rigors of obtaining a winning verdict.
Never losing a case, Litman spent 23 years as a procurement and fiscal law attorney for the Office of Counsel, Marine Corps Logistics Command.
Litman, a native of Albany, Ga., served 32 years in federal service and retired Sept. 30. However, due to sequestration, a retirement luncheon wasn’t held until Nov. 14.
During the ceremony, Litman received accolades from Maj. Gen. John J. Broadmeadow, commanding general, and Michael Madden, executive deputy, both with LOGCOM.
Broadmeadow expressed his gratitude and said, “On behalf of the Marines and civilian-Marines, thank you for your years of service to the Marine Corps and congratulations on an exemplary career.”
Madden also appreciated Litman’s civilian service.
“Civil service is dedication without a lot of recognition,” Madden said.
“Civil service is important and what we do day-in and day-out to make sure things get done is important to our country and to our Marines,” he added. “We have a strong legacy here supporting the Marine Corps’ mission and Johnny certainly contributed to our success over a long period of time.”
In addition, Litman received various awards and plaques from U.S. Representative Sanford D. Bishop Jr., 2nd Congressional District, Georgia; Albany State University; Department of the Navy’s Office of General Counsel and Marine Corps’ Counsel to the Commandant.
Clifford Porter, vice president of institutional advancement, likened Litman, a 1978 graduate of ASU, to Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph received a coat of many colors from his father, which represented his many talents.
“Johnny Litman has a coat of many colors,” Porter said. “He is a collector, musician, mortician, businessman, strategic planner and an attorney.”
Porter said he wanted to buy a coat of many colors for Litman, but was advised by his wife not to because “that was the 70s; don’t do that to him,” as the crowd erupted in laughter.
Instead, Porter presented Litman a coat of blue and gold, an ASU jacket, with Litman’s name embroidered on the front.
After graduating from ASU, Litman attended Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. in 1981 and served as the Howard University Law Journal Book Review Editor. While there, he selected for the D.C. Law Students in Court and the Civil Litigation programs.
During his time as a law student, Litman worked at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Section of the Tax Division.
Upon graduation from Howard University, Litman earned the honor of serving in a federal judicial clerkship, under a two-year appointment, for U.S. District Judge John Garrett Penn of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
After completing his appointment, Litman again worked for the DOJ, this time as an attorney and litigator in Environmental and Occupational Disease Litigation, also in Washington, D.C.
In 1990, Litman transferred to LOGCOM as a civilian attorney.
Litman brought his significant litigation experience to bear as a procurement and fiscal law counsel, according to David Rowland, attorney, Office of Counsel, LOGCOM.
“During his tenure aboard the installation, he provided countless legal reviews and consultation to contracting officials on the procurement of billions of dollars in the maintenance of combat vehicles and equipment and other supplies and services in support of Marine warfighters around the world,” Rowland said. “He holds the singular distinction of having defended the Marine Corps in several dozen bid protests by unhappy competitive bidders without losing a single protest.”
One protest in particular serves as a testament to Litman’s litigation prowess.
“In a protest of a $140 million contract for warehouse services, Johnny Litman single-handedly defended the Marine Corps in five separate issues,” Rowland said. “Pursued by five separate attorneys from a well-known and skilled Washington, D.C. procurement law firm, Litman still prevailed on behalf of the Marine Corps.”
Despite his renown as a federal litigator, Litman describe himself as “just a poor, country fellow from south Georgia trying to make a living.”
“Johnny Litman has always had a big heart for this community and for this command,” Rowland said. “It was great to see so many people come celebrate his long and successful federal service career. He’s created an impressive record of accomplishment during his 23 years here and we were very glad to be able to honor him today.”