J. Lawson Johnston

Railroad Law

3.0 (1 reviews)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

51+ years experience

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote PC

Updated: Jan 03, 2026

Contact Information

412-281-7272

https://www.dmclaw.com/attorneys/j-lawson-johnston/

Four Gateway Center, 444 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1225

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Bio

J. Lawson Johnston is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Railroad Law and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. J. Lawson, who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Lawson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Practice Areas

Railroad Law

Awards & Recognition

Lawyer of the Year: Railroad Law, Pittsburgh (2015)
Recognized: Railroad Law
Recognized: Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
Practice Area: Workers' Compensation Law
Special Focus: Defendants
Special Focus: Litigation

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006

Education

Duquesne University, J.D., graduated 1974

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Reviews

Edward Gutierrez

2 weeks ago

A solid, experienced attorney with some communication delays

I engaged Mr. Johnston of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote to handle a complex workers' compensation case for our small manufacturing business in Pittsburgh. His depth of experience, spanning over five decades, was immediately apparent. He clearly understood the nuances of Pennsylvania's workers' compensation laws from an employer's perspective, and his recognition in Best Lawyers for this specific area gave us confidence. The case involved a disputed claim with significant potential liability, and his strategic approach during negotiations was sound, ultimately leading to a settlement we could accept. However, the process felt somewhat impersonal. While his legal analysis was thorough, there were periods where communication was slower than we expected, requiring multiple follow-ups for updates. His focus seemed squarely on the legal outcome, which was competent, but we sometimes felt out of the loop on procedural steps. For straightforward, high-stakes matters where pure legal expertise is paramount, Mr. Johnston's long-standing reputation in railroad and workers' compensation law is well-earned. Just be prepared to manage your expectations regarding client communication and the pace of updates throughout your case.