James E. Beasley, leading Philadelphia trial attorney, 78

By Jennifer Moroz
The Philadelphia Inquirer

James E. Beasley, a nationally acclaimed Philadelphia trial lawyer whose 48-year career produced scores of million-dollar verdicts against doctors, hospitals, manufacturers, governments and newspapers, died Sept. 18, 2004, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He was 78.

Family, friends and colleagues remembered a man who climbed out of the poverty of his West Philadelphia youth to become one of the best litigators in America and a great local philanthropist for whom Temple University named its law school.

During his career, family members estimate, Mr. Beasley of Villanova tried more than 400 cases. Particularly in the areas of medical malpractice, product liability and libel, plaintiffs flocked to the Beasley Firm, at 12th and Walnut Streets. His clients ranged from mothers devastated over the loss of a child to reporters and judges.

And when he was trying their cases, fellow attorneys crammed the courtroom to watch a legend at work.

He was daring, known for taking on complex cases and formidable opponents, including Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. In May 2003, he won a $104 million, as-yet uncollected, judgment on behalf of the families of two men killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, after a federal judge agreed that Iraq had provided "material support" to Bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

Among his other targets was The Philadelphia Inquirer. In 1990, he won two major libel verdicts against the newspaper. One of those cases, involving lawyer Richard Sprague, was later settled. The other case, concerning the late State Supreme Court Justice James McDermott, is awaiting a new trial.

"Mr. Beasley was a tough-minded lawyer who represented each of his clients to the best of his ability," said Anne Gordon, managing editor of The Inquirer. "He tangled with The Inquirer on numerous occasions. He won some. We won some."

Family and colleagues say he worked tirelessly for every client.

"You cannot imagine the breadth of cases that walked through his door, nor the variety of clients he served," said lawyer Michael Smerconish, who has known Mr. Beasley for 15 years and is associated with his law firm. "I think the key to his success was that Jim was a guy who could interact with individuals of all stripes.

"He was a scrappy, street-smart guy who had the gift of communication."

Up to a week before his death, he was still rising at 4:30 a.m., lifting weights by 5 a.m., and in the office by 7 a.m., long before his much younger colleagues, said his son, Jim Beasley Jr., a partner in the firm.

Over the summer, his son said, he tried a six-week case, presumably as cancer inside him grew. "I don't know how he did it," Jim Jr. said. "He was super-human."

Friends and family say he was driven by the desire to help people. His own beginnings were humble. "He always knew, because of his upbringing, that he wanted to represent people," his son said. Born in 1926, Mr. Beasley grew up in West Philadelphia during the Depression. His father was a factory worker and his mother was a waitress.

Mr. Beasley dropped out of high school in 10th grade to join the Navy, faking his birth certificate to do so, his son said. During World War II he served in the North Atlantic and then the submarine service in the Pacific.

When he returned, Mr. Beasley worked as a truck, cab and bus driver. Still working full time, he earned his high school diploma and enrolled at Temple University, where he completed his undergraduate degree. In 1956, he graduated from the university's law school.

In 1999, he gave his alma mater the largest endowment in the university's history - the amount was kept confidential - and the law school was renamed the James E. Beasley School of Law.

"As the law school's most distinguished alumnus and philanthropist, Mr. Beasley has never forgotten his roots, his passion to help underdogs in society, and the obligation to give others the opportunity to get ahead," then-university president Peter J. Liacouras said.

His family said Mr. Beasley's philanthropy went far beyond high-profile donations. His son said that during summers, he would buy 100 air conditioners, donating them anonymously.

While Mr. Beasley threw himself into his work, he maintained a balanced life, always making time for family, friends and hobbies. He was a pilot who flew WWII planes and was a member of an airshow aerobatic flight team. He also loved to fish near his Fort Lauderdale home, "though we never caught anything," his son said.

"He had such a full life. He did everything."

Besides his son, Mr. Beasley is survived by his wife, Helen Mary; daughters Lynn Hayes, Nancy Beasley, Pamela Beasley and Kim Schmucki; and eight grandchildren.