John W. Keker of Keker & Van Nest in San Francisco, who is nobody’s fool, is so confident in his abilities that he’d represent himself.He has plenty of company: His name was mentioned more often than any other when our surveyed lawyers were asked who they’d turn to if faced with serious charges. "John embodies everything one looks for in a lawyer, whether criminal or civil," says Tower C. Snow, chair of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison in San Francisco. "He’s highly intelligent, creative, resourceful, tough, tenacious, a ruthless cross-examiner, and totally dedicated to the welfare of his clients."