Over his career spanning more than 60 years, Leo Bearman Jr. exemplified professionalism, ethics, civility and excellence, and a vision of legal service as a distinguished profession. He graduated magna cum laude from Yale University in 1957 and earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1960. He returned to his native Memphis to practice law with his father. In the early 1980s, their firm merged with another and grew to become what is now known as Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, a nationally recognized law firm and one of the 100 largest law firms in the country.
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by David L. Bearman, Shareholder, Baker Donelson and Kristine L. Roberts, Shareholder, Baker Donelson
Since 2005, Leo Bearman Jr., David Bearman and Kristine Roberts have led the efforts advocating for the City of Memphis and Memphis Light Gas and Water in Mississippi v. Tennessee. At issue has been groundwater in the Memphis-Sparta or Middle Claiborne Aquifer, which underlies parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, and several other states. Mississippi sought roughly $1 billion in compensation as it asserted that Memphis was "stealing" its groundwater, and in 2014, Mississippi sued Tennessee, Memphis, and Memphis Light Gas and Water (MLGW) in an original action before the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Leo Bearman Jr.'s storied career left an indelible mark on the legal community not soon to be forgotten. "A Lawyer's Lawyer" and an incredible mentor and friend to many, we mourn his loss and look to his legacy, which lives on, not only at Baker Donelson, but in the hearts and minds of all who knew Leo.
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by David L. Bearman, Shareholder, Baker Donelson
I have been given the impossible task of putting my feelings and thoughts about Dad into words for this edition of the Trial Newsletter. It would be easy to reminisce war stories – of which there are many: Dad's ability to remember the names of jurors; legendary cross-examinations; cases that were so important or crazy that nicknames were assigned: the "Gorilla Woman Case;" the "Green Ice Case;" the "Tobacco Case;" the "Tiny Towns Case;" and the "Water Case" – just to name a few; and famous clients from rock icons Jerry Lee Lewis and Paul McCartney, to rappers Three Six Mafia. But these stories – as amazing as they are – are not what come to mind today. Dad was, by all accounts and by any measure, a great trial attorney, and he will most certainly be remembered for that (don't call him a "litigator"). But Dad possessed other qualities that are equally deserving of mention and honor.
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by Judy Birchler, Legal Secretary, Baker Donelson
I worked with Leo Bearman Jr. as his secretary for almost 35 years. I could write a book about all of Leo's good works and his service to others that were never shared on paper or generated great fanfare, but I will say two things that were cardinal rules for Leo which I think sum up his 60-year commitment to the Memphis legal community and to anyone else who needed help.
- "Leave my door open!"
- "If you get a call from any lawyer at any time who needs to talk to me or come see me, set a time and let me know. I will be here."
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Leo Bearman Jr. devoted countless hours of his time and expertise to his Synagogue, to community non-profit organizations, and to legal organizations such as the Leo Bearman Jr. Inns of Court in Memphis. Although his natural leadership skills and reputation usually led to leadership positions in these organizations, Leo's approach to these kinds of community and professional activities was very personal. He was not interested in just serving on boards or high-level work. He expected to get into the weeds; to 'serve.'
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Click the links below to learn more about Leo's involvement in each organization.
From Our Archives:
by David L. Bearman, Shareholder, Baker Donelson
In the inaugural issue of the Trial Spotlight, we pay homage to a star, Leo Bearman Jr., a widely respected and leading trial attorney in Tennessee. Leo started practicing law with his father, Leo Sr., in 1960. Twenty years later, the Leo Bearman Law Firm merged with Heiskell Donelson Adams Williams and Kirsch to expand the latter's services to include litigation. Thirty-eight years after the merger, Leo Bearman Jr. remains a highly sought-after attorney, valued by clients and colleagues alike for his considerable wisdom and skill. My name is David Bearman, Leo's son and law partner for the past 22 years. I sat down with Dad to talk about some of his more memorable cases and clients.
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