Biography

• First Generation Disciple of Grandmaster Richard Lee. Disciple Name: Li Zhi Hua
• A Richard Lee 2nd Degree Black Belt.
• Represented the United States in forms and weapons competition:

  2003 – TWKSF World Kuo Shu Championships, Brazil

• Represented Richard Lee’s West Coast Team in International Competition:

  2015 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2003 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2002 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2001 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2000 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  1999 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  1998 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

• Inducted into the Top Men of the I.B.K.A. – 2001.
• Inducted into the Order of the Cobra – 2001.
• Inducted into the Bok-Fu-Do Hall of Fame – 2001.
• Presidents List Member since 1998.
• Legal Advisor at Richard Lee’s East-West Kung-Fu.
• Years of Experience: 21

John Worden began his studies at Richard Lee’s East West in 1991. He earned his black belt in 2001. Mr. Worden has been a disciple of Grandmaster Lee since 2002. Mr. Worden currently holds the rank of 2nd degree Bok Fu Do black belt and is a 1st Tuan (black sash) under the World Kuo Shu Federation. Mr. Worden represented the United States in forms and weapons competition at the 1st World Kuoshu (Kung-Fu) Championships in Brazil in 2003, taking home a silver and bronze medal. He also competed in forms, weapons and light contact sparring at the International Kuo Shu Championships in Baltimore, MD from 1998-2003.

Some words from Mr. Worden:

“The focus at East West is never limited to learning how to fight, but rather on then overall development of the mind, body and spirit. Although higher-ranking students at East West are unparalleled in their physical development, without exception they have each improved their lives and the lives of those around them in ways seemingly unrelated to the physical arts. As a lawyer who handles high-stakes trials all over the nation, I know I need to be able to stand up to almost any challenge. The intense training and extreme pressures I experienced and underwent working toward and receiving my black belt at East West prepared me to withstand the challenges I face in the courtroom.”

John Worden is a commercial trial partner with one of the nation’s largest law firms, 800-lawyer Venable LLP. He has tried dozens of cases throughout the nation.  In 2015 he was named San Francisco Bar Association Lawyer of the Year, and in 2017 California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye presented John with the Volunteer of the Year award for his work in the pro bono and diversity areas. For many years he has been an adjunct law professor at the University of California-Hastings School of Law. In 2018 John received his law firm’s Inspiration Award after he donated a kidney to a stranger.