Ed Koch, former New York mayor with ‘chutzpah,’ dies

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch, a partner with Bryan Cave, died today at the age of 88. The cause was congestive heart failure, report Bloomberg News and the New York Times. The Times describes Koch as “the master showman of City Hall, who parlayed shrewd political instincts and plenty…

Feb 1, 2013 12:31 PM CST

The Visionary: In memory of Steven Keeva, 1956-2012

Feb 1, 2013 9:39 AM CST

‘Consummate Lawyer’ and Onetime ABA President Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Has Died

Wm. Reece Smith Jr., celebrated throughout the bar for his devotion to legal services and dedication to the legal profession, has died at his home in Florida after a brief illness. He was 87. With a biography page that reads like a directory of possible awards for outstanding service to…

Jan 11, 2013 8:53 PM CST

Bork Appeared ‘Oddly Unprepared’ for Nomination Battle, Journalist Recalls

Robert Bork seemed “oddly unprepared” for the opposition to his Supreme Court nomination in a 1987 interview before the hearings, according to the journalist who interviewed him. Bork died early Wednesday from complications from heart disease. He was 85. A former federal appeals judge, law professor and solicitor general, Bork…

Dec 20, 2012 12:33 PM CST

Conservative Icon and Former Federal Judge Robert Bork Dies at 85

Conservative icon Robert Bork, whose views on strict constructionism were targeted in a failed Supreme Court nomination, has died at the age of 85. Bork died early Wednesday from complications from heart disease, report the Washington Post and the New York Times. The Post describes Bork as “a major architect…

Dec 19, 2012 3:31 PM CST

Sen. Daniel Inouye, Decorated War Veteran, Law Grad and Longtime US Leader, Dies at Age 88

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii, a respected leading lawmaker and the longest-serving Democrat in the U.S. Senate, died Monday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He was 88 years old. Inouye, a highly decorated combat veteran of World War II, was the first Japanese-American to…

Dec 18, 2012 12:28 AM CST

Former ABA Journal Editor Who Inspired Lawyers with ‘Transforming Practices’ Dies at Age 56

A former ABA Journal editor who inspired many lawyers with his advice on career fulfillment has died at the age of 56. Steven Keeva wrote a monthly column for the ABA Journal on life and law practice. He was also author of the book, Transforming Practices: Finding Joy and Satisfaction…

Dec 10, 2012 7:39 PM CST

Legal PR Pioneer Jay Jaffe Dies at Age 68

Jay Jaffe, who pioneered the business of law firm marketing after the U.S. Supreme Court gave a green light to such advertising in a landmark 1977 decision, died last week. He was 68 years old. A Chicago native, Jaffe worked as a journalist before establishing Jaffe PR in the wake…

Nov 27, 2012 5:35 PM CST

Colo. Government Attorney Who Liked Good Suits Helps Chicago Teens Dress for Success

Once upon a time, a conservative, well-tailored suit was not only a professional plus but a virtual job requirement for a successful lawyer, and Michael Kelly’s dad liked to dress well. Robert M. Kelly was an assistant city and county attorney in Denver County, Colo., for nearly 40 years, and…

Nov 26, 2012 9:12 PM CST

Judge Theodore Jones of NY Court of Appeals Dies of Apparent Heart Attack

Judge Theodore T. Jones Jr. of the New York Court of Appeals died of an apparent heart attack after being taken to a nearby hospital from his Rockland County home on Monday night. He was 68 years old. In a written statement provided to the New York Law Journal on…

Nov 6, 2012 5:55 PM CST

9th Circuit Judge Betty Fletcher Dies at 89

Betty Fletcher, a judge with the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, died Monday, the Associated Press reports. Fletcher, 89, was appointed to the court by President Jimmy Carter, and has been on the bench since 1979. She graduated from University of Washington Law School in 1956, according…

Oct 23, 2012 9:05 PM CDT

Girlfriend Is Charged in Shooting Death of Cincinnati Lawyer

The girlfriend of a Cincinnati lawyer charged with his shooting death is claiming self-defense, according to her lawyer. Ryan Poston, 29, was killed on Friday, report NKY.com, Kentucky.com and Cincinnati.com. His girlfriend, 21-year-old Shayna Hubers of Lexington, Ky., has been charged with murder. Hubers’ lawyer, Wil Zevely, said his client…

Oct 17, 2012 2:54 PM CDT

Specter Remembered for His Influence in Supreme Court Nomination Battles

Former Sen. Arlen Specter, whose influence played out in in battles over controversial Supreme Court nominees, died Sunday at the age of 82. The cause was complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. NBC, the Washington Post and the New York Times have obituaries. Specter, a former member and chairman of the Senate…

Oct 15, 2012 11:36 AM CDT

Lawyer Biking to Work Swerves to Avoid Car Door, Is Struck and Killed by Semitrailer Truck

A 32-year-old Chicago lawyer was struck and killed by a semitrailer truck as he bicycled to work Friday morning. Neill Townsend was an avid biker who loved his job at as head of operations at the Minimal Inc. design firm on the city’s near West Side, the Chicago Tribune reports.…

Oct 5, 2012 9:33 PM CDT

Law Grad Set to Begin BigLaw Career Was Among Those Killed in Nepal Plane Crash

A law grad who was about to begin work as an associate at Allen & Overy was among the 19 people killed on Friday in a plane crash in Nepal. Ben Ogden, 27, was on a three-week hiking vacation when he died, the Am Law Daily reports, citing a story…

Oct 1, 2012 12:48 PM CDT