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We have some unfortunate news today from New York, where an esteemed member of the legal profession passed away due to complications of coronavirus.
Richard E. Weber, 57, was a partner at Gallo Vitucci Klar as well as a board member of the LGBT Bar Association of New York. Big Law Business has some additional details on his death:
“Everyone at Gallo Vitucci Klar LLP is heartbroken and devastated by the loss of Richard,” senior partner Howard P. Klar said in an emailed statement. “He was a wonderful attorney and shining light at our firm. Our thoughts right now are with his family.”
Klar said the firm’s Manhattan office has been closed since Weber disclosed his symptoms on March 10. Attorneys and staff have been working remotely and the office was deep cleaned and disinfected. No one else at that office or the firm has had any Covid-19 symptoms or a positive diagnosis, he said.
According to Eric Lesh, executive director of LeGaL, Weber had been hospitalized and tested positive for COVID-19. Three days before Weber died, he have a conversation with Lesh where he “convey[ed] … that this was the sickest he’d ever been and that he was recovering and on the mend.” From the LGBT Bar’s Facebook page:
“In an age where we’re trying to focus on social responsibility and taking care of others, that was who Richard was.”
Weber brought “joy and exuberance” to everything he did, according to Lesh. “He was kind, thought of others first, and was always smiling,” Lesh said. …
“We cherish Richard’s memory and hold his partner, Antonio, and family in our hearts,” Lesh wrote in a statement on behalf of the bar association co-authored by board president Kristen Prata Browde. “Richard gave generously of his time and talents to improve the lives of LGBTQ New Yorkers.”
We here at Above the Law would like to extend our sincere condolences to Richard Weber’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
New York LGBT Bar Board Member Dies of Coronavirus Complications [Big Law Business]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.