In the early 1970s, Mr. Lally joined the office of City Solicitor Sheldon Albert, where he was in charge of the bonds and contracts division, his wife, Mary, said.
He later became involved with lawsuits in U.S. District Court.
Mary said that for four years, Mr. Lally was "involved in every major public construction contract entered into by the city. . . . He was the lead defense counsel for a wide variety of federal court claims, including the trial of cases involving the construction of Veterans Stadium and the trial of claims involving the modernization of the Philadelphia International Airport."
He also represented the city at a trial involving disputes over the construction of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, his wife added.
In 1980, Mr. Lally opened a practice under his own name and focused on lawsuits in federal court, such as employment discrimination cases.
Mr. Lally also worked with the American Arbitration Association and, his wife said, was dealing with a matter before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority at the time of his death.
Besides his wife of 35 years, Mr. Lally is survived by a brother and a sister.
A visitation is set for 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Rd., Northfield, N.J., with an 11 a.m. memorial service there.
Contact Walter F. Naedele at 215-854-5607 or wnaedele@phillynews.com.
