Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Don Marino Remembered: Outstanding Lawyer And Leader

We were saddened to hear of the passing of a dear friend and outstanding Philadelphia lawyer, Donald C. Marino.

We share the sentiments of Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Willion Fedullo:

"This is a difficult loss for Philadelphia's legal community as well as for me personally," Fedullo said speaking for the 13,000-member Association.

"Donald C. Marino was a very bright, kind and encouraging man – a real class-act. He was generous with his time and mentored many lawyers, myself included, and encouraged them to reach their full potential. He is one of the main reasons why I first got involved with the Philadelphia Bar Association. Don will be greatly missed," Chancellor Fedullo added.

Marino was Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association in 1984. When he was Chancellor, Marino formed the Philadelphia Bar Association's Committee for the Homeless, which became very effective in urging the city to improve the conditions of shelters as well as to help the homeless with their legal problems. Prior to that, he also served as a Chancellor of the Justinian Society. In 1999, Marino received the Cesare Beccaria Award, which is co-sponsored by the Justinian Society and the Criminal Justice Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Throughout his career, Marino held many prominent positions in Philadelphia. 

In recent years, he served as counsel to the City Solicitor's Office and chaired its litigation department. Marino also served as counsel at Dilworth Paxson LLP in the firm's litigation department. Additionally, he served as a criminal defense attorney for several high-profile cases in the city.

Don Marino was genuine Philadelphia product and he loved the city, the legal community and all that Philadelphia had to offer. Though he travelled all over the country on behalf of the bar association, his heart was always in Philadelphia.

He was also a forward-looking leader who was one of the first Philadelphians to endorse the building of Liberty Place and the abandonment of the age-old gentlemen's agreement that prevent buildings from rising higher that the top of Billy Penn's hat on City Hall. Marino worked hard to demystify the law so that it could be understood by ordinary Philadelphians and he used television regularly and effectively to convey the bar's message and enhance its role in the community.

We extend our condolences to Don's many friends and colleagues in the city as our heart goes out to his wife Vinnie, son Justin and the entire Marino family.

Don's was a life well-lived and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him as well as all those who benefitted from his leadership.

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