The senior partner argued 30 cases before the US Supreme Court
An accomplished American lawyer was shot and killed in his own suburban Chicago home in an incident described by authorities as a domestic dispute.
Stephen Shapiro, who was 72, was shot multiple times at around 7:20pm Monday, the Chicago Tribune reported. Hours later, a yet-to-be-named suspect was arrested. He is said to have fled the scene running and barricaded himself inside his apartment about five kilometres away.
Shapiro was a senior partner at Mayer Brown’s Supreme Court and appellate practice, which he established. He had been briefed in more than 200 cases before the US Supreme Court, personally arguing 30 cases.
Mayer Brown released the following statement early on Tuesday:
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Steve Shapiro, our friend and colleague. Steve joined our firm in 1972 and was promoted to partner in 1978, becoming one of the most accomplished appellate lawyers in the United States. Our thoughts are with Steve’s family at this difficult time.”
Lori Lightfoot, a former Mayer Brown partner who is now running for Chicago mayor, told the Chicago Tribune that it is a very difficult time for Shapiro’s friends and colleagues.
“He was a really, really great guy — a brilliant lawyer and one of the most down-to-earth people you’ll ever meet,” she said. “People who know him are devastated by this news.”
Chicago Bar Association President Steven Elrod said Shapiro provided a sense of community to members of the profession. He “gave generously of his time to assist other lawyers,” Elrod said.
Shapiro left Mayer Brown in 1978 to become Assistant to the Solicitor General until 1980, when he was appointed as Deputy Solicitor General of the United States in the Reagan administration. He returned to the firm in 1983.
The American Bar Association Litigation Journal said in 2006 that Shapiro was “perhaps the preeminent appellate advocate practicing today.”
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