Law Firm

While working as a secretary for the law firm of Paul, Reich & Myers in Center City, Kerri A. Stone somehow managed a rather lavish lifestyle. In January 1996, she chartered a private jet for $28,600 and flew with some friends to Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Ariz., to see the Cowboys whip the Steelers, 27-17. Stone also had spent $29,300 that year to rent a summer house in Margate, N.J. The year before, she leased a BMW from the Don Rosen dealership in Bala Cynwyd for $19,000.

The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, which battles for social change in the arena of the courtroom, is looking for financial help. The nonprofit law firm, best known for prompting the U.S. Supreme Court to close the antiquated Pennhurst State Hospital, is trying to raise $50,000 by Jan. 31. If the goal is met, the Philadelphia Bar Association will pitch in an additional $25,000. Michael Churchill, PILCOP's chief counsel, and Clifford Haines, outgoing chancellor of the bar association, said yesterday that they were seeking contributions from foundations, businesses and - especially - law firms.

George M. Brodhead, 87, chairman emeritus of Rawle & Henderson, the oldest law firm in the nation, died Wednesday at Chestnut Hill Hospital. Mr. Brodhead worked for Rawle & Henderson, which began in 1783, for 58 years. He joined Rawle & Henderson in 1930 and over the years worked his way up from associate to partner to chairman of the firm, before he retired in 1988, as chairman emeritus. "George Brodhead was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word," said Peter Paul, a longtime partner and friend.

Blank, Rome, Comisky & McCauley, one of the city's biggest law firms, yesterday said that it would become the lead tenant in the planned second tower of Linpro Co.'s 50-story skyscraper complex on Market Street in a leasing deal valued at $60 million. Blank Rome's decision to move to Linpro's 1919 Market St. complex is a milestone in the effort by developers to find tenants for big new Center City office towers. The decision also clears the way for construction to begin this spring on the second Linpro tower.

John J. Speese, 76, a Philadelphia lawyer and businessman, died Tuesday at his home in Northeast Philadelphia. A graduate of Temple University and its law school, Mr. Speese began private practice in 1944 and for many years was head of the city law firm of Speese, Bongiovanni & Copeland. He retired two years ago. During nearly 45 years of law practice, Mr. Speese chiefly served as a trial lawyer. He championed the cause of federal employees, especially those at the old Frankford Arsenal, who opposed paying the Philadelphia wage tax. He served as counsel for Aggravated Citizens Against the City of Philadelphia, which brought a number of suits against city parking regulations and practices.

Robert L. Abramowitz of Bryn Mawr has joined Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, a Philadelphia law firm, as a partner. Abramowitz is a member of the firm's tax section and its national Employee Benefits Practice Group. He has wide experience in welfare plan matters such as managed health care and flexible benefits. Abramowitz is an adjunct faculty member in Villanova University Law School's program for lawyers seeking a master's degree in taxation. He earned his law degree from the Harvard Law School and is a graduate of Yale College.

The guidelines on maternity and family leave which the Philadelphia Bar Association recommends be established by local law firms have caused critics to cheer and boo at the same time. Commented Karen Nussbaum, executive director of 9 to 5, National Association of Working Women: "They're great. I'm delighted. Philadelphia's Bar is ahead of the curve. "But . . ., " Nussbaum noted, the guidelines, calling for 12 weeks paid maternity leave, up to six months parental leave and the right of those with family responsibilities to work part-time without being penalized at promotion time apply only to lawyers - not to secretaries and paralegals.

The Lansdale law firm Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin has added three partners. Christen Gilmore Pionzio has worked in the firm's real-estate and zoning department since 1994. She has a juris doctor degree from the Widener University law school and often works with local hearing boards and municipalities. Steven B. Barrett has worked since 1992 in the firm's litigation department. He has a juris doctor degree from Temple University and has won personal-injury cases in Montgomery, Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

Myron H. "Mike" Deutsch, founding partner of the Philadelphia law firm of Deutsch, Larrimore & Farnish, died Monday of cancer. He was 63 and lived in Wynnewood. "Mike taught me that being a good lawyer meant being a counselor, in the real sense of the word," said Dale Larrimore, who practiced law with Deutsch for the past 18 years. "He really cared about people, and took the time to find out about and help them with all of their problems. He loved to talk, but had such an ability to truly communicate with anyone with whom he came in contact.

Sara Duffy, an attorney who, with her sister, Mary Alice Duffy, were well- known criminal and civil lawyers over several decades, died Thursday. She lived in University City. Her age was not disclosed. Sara and Mary Alice Duffy were partners in the Center City law firm of Duffy & Duffy, believed to be one of the first all-female law firms in the nation. Probably their most famous criminal case was when they jointly represented John J. Coyle, a cop killer who, with his brother, William J., led police on a multi-state chase that ended in a gun battle in Massachusetts in 1959.