General Michael Ira Neil, Attorney,  Neil, Dymott & Hudson, PC

Michael Ira Neil

Profession & company: Attorney,  Neil, Dymott & Hudson, PC

How do you celebrate your Irishness? I have celebrated my Irish heritage by traveling to Ireland more than 2 dozen times, since 1962.  In the process I have been to all corners of the Emerald Isle.  I was also an active proponent and sponsor of the first San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1982, which has grown to become the largest, west of the Mississippi.  I have been a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, since the early 1970s and served as President in 1985-86.  I was also honored by be recognized as the “Irishman of the Year” in 1982.   Every year I have led the Friendly Sons as they march in the parade to the rousing cheers of the spectators. I am also a member of the San Diego Irish American Bar Association. I have also been known to toast Ireland and its heroes with a shot of Midleton, Red Breast, Tullamore Dew, as well as many other Irish whiskeys and to hoist a few Guinness and Harp.  

What did you learn in your first job which has been useful to you throughout the career? My first job was when I was 15 years old with a company moving furniture.  The laborers were a hard crew and at the time even included two former convicts, one of whom singled me out for intimidation. I had been raised to stick up for myself and the guy backed off when he realized I wasn’t going to quit or run home to mommy and cry.  I learned that there is a sense of honor and integrity in working hard and that you can earn the respect of others by your effort. I carried that forward during my service in the Marines and also in my legal career.  I have always emphasized to my colleagues that hard work is the foundation of lasting success, personal growth and character development.

Biography: Mike was born in Long Beach, CA on August 21, 1940.  His father, “Cheesy” Neil was a United States Marine and his mother Grace Pauline Sullivan, a first generation American whose family was from County Cork. He grew up primarily in San Diego, California but also lived during his early teens in Hawaii, where he attended the Punahou School, on an athletic scholarship.  He returned to San Diego where he graduated from Hoover H.S. and then went to San Diego State University where he played basketball. He was also a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. After his graduation in 1962, he traveled to Europe for 6 months with some pals. During that time, he visited Ireland and the home of one of his Irish ancestors, O’Sullivan Beare in Cork. Upon returning, he went to law school at UC Berkeley.  While at Berkeley an anti-Vietnam, protest ironically inspired him to join the U.S. Marine Corp upon his graduation. He became an infantry office per his request.  As a 2nd Lieutenant, he became a platoon leader in Vietnam with Delta Company 1/7 First Mar Div.  While serving as a Marine Officer he was awarded the Navy Cross and also received the Purple Heart as a result of wounds sustained in combat. His last 6 months were spent as an aerial observer stationed at Marble Mountain, outside of Danang.   He left active duty in 1970, but accepted a reserve commission.  Mike then commenced his legal career as a trial attorney and senior partner of an established law firm in San Diego, known at the time as Holt Rhoades and Hollywood.   He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates.  During the First Gulf War he was recalled to active duty and served a Commanding General of Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton.  He is married to his wife, Jan and together they have two children, Megan and Sean and 3 grandchildren, Jordan, Michael and Grace.