Alec Cory

SAN DIEGO - Alec Cory, the last surviving name partner and co-founder of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, and the founder of the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, died Tuesday. He was 95.

Cory was one of the first in the San Diego legal community to embrace pro bono work and provide legal services to the poor, said Anthony M. Stiegler, a partner at Cooley in San Diego, and president-elect of the Legal Aid Society of San Diego.

"It was a cause very dear to his heart and something that he championed his entire life," Stiegler said. "He was the spark plug that incentivized others to participate and raised the consciousness of the bar about the needs of the poor and ways we could all give back to those communities."

Cory not only set an example, but he also prodded people in his firm to give back.

"I think that most lawyers, because we're so busy trying to maintain our practices and raise families, that service take a back seat," said Procopio partner Robert G. Russell. "I got involved because I didn't want to disappoint Alec. He'd say, 'Bobby, when are you going to start volunteering in the community?' He truly set a marvelous example."

Born in Gallup, N.M., in 1915, Cory earned his undergraduate degree in finance from UC Berkeley in 1936, and his law degree from its school of law in 1939.

After serving in the Navy in World War II, he returned to San Diego, where he opened his law practice in 1946 with partner Edward Schwartz.

Starting with just two cubicles, a few books, some furniture and a secretary, the firm evolved over time, merging with Price & Nottbusch in 1947, adding partner A.T. "Tony" Procopio in 1950 and later joined by partners Harry Hargreaves and Manny Savitch to form the firm's present name in 1967.

The firm has grown from two partners to 110 attorneys and other employees in downtown San Diego and Carlsbad.

"He established the whole tone that became the culture that is Procopio," said Managing Partner Thomas W. Turner Jr. "He was an icon for us. He made it an absolute point in his own life and by way of example to treat every individual with respect and dignity. This was the tone he set."

Although Cory officially retired in 1993, his partners say that he remained a regular fixture at the office.

"Up until two years ago, he was still coming to the office every day," Russell said. "He'd talk to young lawyers and go to lunch with us."

During his tenure, Cory also was the peace keeper, Russell said, especially during heated moments at partnership meetings.

"Alec was the mediator," Russell said. "He's say, 'I think this is what we ought to do,' and 100 out of 100 times, that is what we did."

For Cory, his law firm was more than just a place of business, according to partner Todd E. Leigh.

"Once you became a part of his family at the law firm, he'd mentor us, and helped us to become the best lawyers that we could be," Leigh said, "but, more importantly, to be the best people we could be."

Cory is survived by daughters Linda Cory Allen of San Diego, Jane Cory Van Dyke of Ashland, Ore., four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Barbara.

A private service is planned on Sunday.