RH Dorman, a Navy veteran of...

RH Dorman, a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, never considered attending law school until his attorney son offered a proposition he felt he could not let go by: if he passed the bar, his son would offer him a partnership at the law firm. In 1979, RH passed the bar on his first try, to create the Dennis Paul Dorman & Associates “son-father” law firm. Dennis, 45, is a trial lawyer who concentrates on personal injury as a result of defective consumer products, professional negligence and individual misconduct, and RH, 69, focuses on probate. Dennis was recently named “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the San Diego Trial Lawyers Assn., and he credits his father for his successes. Never one for slowing down, RH was mayor of Coronado from 1984-1988 and was the assistant foreman of the San Diego County Grand Jury last year. He may give retirement a try when he turns 70. The Dormans were interviewed by Times staff writer Terry Rather in their law office and photographed by Times photographer David McNew.

RH: RH doesn’t stand for a thing; RH is all I got. On Dec. 27, 1940, I entered the Navy. I joined the squadron in ’44 as a fighter pilot. I was out there in all the wars. I received quite a few medals, including a Presidential Citation three times. I haven’t looked at the medals since I retired. I retired a commander on June 30, 1973.

I had tried retirement for six months, and I was about to climb the walls. I decided I was going back to school, but I didn’t know what I wanted to study. Dennis came over for dinner one night and suggested I become a lawyer, so I decided to do it.

Dennis: I had been in practice at that point about four years. Dad didn’t know what to do with himself. I said, “Heck, why don’t you go to law school? If you do a decent job of it, I can hire you, and we can work together.”

RH: I started law school in 1974 at Western State. I was a full-time student. I had to really work at law school. I was going to classes at night and studying every day. I could not do any playing around for three to four years. I had my office there at home, and I would go in, close the door and read. I think my biggest problem in law school was trying to remember everything I read. In law school you must retain everything, but in the Navy, you learn to just scan for the essence of what they are saying. You did not try to remember everything. I had to change my way of reading.

Dennis: You just do not speed-read in law school.

RH: It was a demanding course of study, no question about it. I was very lucky to pass that bar the first time.

Dennis: Dad was interested in estate planning and real estate tax laws, which I have no interest in. Dad thought he would like to do that, and it complements very nicely. He could do the paperwork, the contractual agreements, trusts, and, if we had to go to trial, then I would get involved.

He works his side of the street and takes care of it, and I don’t have to worry about it. Maybe that’s why it’s a successful partnership. I know that, if he’s taking care of it, it’s done right. I know how he does everything, so I don’t have to worry about it. By the same token, he also knows that, if it comes over to my side of law, it will be done. Because we have such high regard for each other, it’s been a very successful partnership.

RH: It’s pretty hard to talk about goals when you’re 69. I’ve been pretty well satisfied with what I’m doing. I think I will retire at 70. I will decide if I am going to stay retired. I don’t know how it will work out. I may have some political aspirations, though.

Dennis: It has been wonderful working with my dad. We have had a really excellent relationship. I can’t say we have any regrets whatsoever. My father and I have always had a wonderful rapport. I have been very fortunate. When I got the award, I took the opportunity to honor my dad.

My dad always taught me, “Your word is your bond.” My goal in my career has always been to be regarded by my peers as one of the best lawyers in San Diego, based upon competence and integrity. Now I want to maintain the level of achievement I have established in recent years and try to share my experience with younger lawyers.

My dad has worked his whole life. I think maybe it is time for him to go out and smell the roses, enjoy himself for a while. He has worked so hard I wish he would dust his golf clubs off and go out and have a little fun.