January 11, 2010
Paul B. O'Flaherty, a retired partner who served Schiff Hardin's Estate Planning Group from 1963 to 2009, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2010. Mr. O'Flaherty served as Chairman of the Estate Planning Group from its inception until 1989, introducing systems, procedures and techniques that continue to contribute to Schiff Hardin's nationally recognized practice. Mr. O'Flaherty attended Loyola University Chicago School of Law and graduated cum laude, in 1949.
"Paul's impact on the practice of estate planning law was extraordinary. He was both a great teacher and mentor to generations of attorneys," says David R. Hodgman, leader of Schiff Hardin's Private Clients, Trusts and Estates Group. "During his tenure as Chairman, the Schiff Hardin trust and estate group quadrupled in size and established itself as a nationally recognized trust and estate powerhouse."
"Paul O'Flaherty taught me a course in law school, later interviewed me for employment at Schiff Hardin and for years served as a wonderful mentor in the practice of law," explains Paul K. Rhoads, retired partner and former Schiff Hardin Private Clients, Trusts and Estates Leader. "He was a cautious, yet inventive lawyer; a very bright student of the law. He was a true teacher, both at Loyola Law School and thereafter within the ranks of Schiff Hardin, as the first chairman of an estate planning group that eventually grew to the national prominence that it enjoys today. Paul influenced those with whom he came in contact in many positive ways, and that influence surely has migrated down to many of the firm's current lawyers."
Services include a January 11 visitation from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Avenue in Lisle, Illinois, with a January 12 funeral at 10:30 a.m. at the same location, to St. Joan of Arc Church mass at 11:15 a.m. For more information call (630) 964-9392.