Harold "Hal" G. Wren (1921 – June 13, 2016) was a lawyer, law professor, and dean of three American law schools.[1] In addition, he was the author of multiple editions of the well reviewed legal guidebook, The Of Counsel Agreement.[2]

Harold G. Wren
Born1921
DiedJune 13, 2016(2016-06-13) (aged 94–95)
Other namesHal
Alma materColumbia University (AB 1942, LLB 1948)
Yale University (master's degree)
OccupationDean
Employers
Notable workThe Of Counsel Agreement
SpouseBeryl Bird
Children2
AwardsFulbright Fellow

Biography

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Wren was born in Norfolk, Virginia.[1] He grew up in Norfolk as well as in Brooklyn, New York.[1] He served in the United States Navy during World War II.[1][3] He achieved the rank of captain in the naval reserves.

Wren attended Columbia University where he received an A.B. undergraduate degree from Columbia College in 1942,[4][5] Columbia Law School where he received an LL.B. law degree in 1948, and Yale University where received a master's degree.[6][1][7][8][9] He was a Fulbright Fellow, and later wrote a number of books.[8][9]

He first was a practicing attorney at the law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher.[9]

Later, Wren was a law professor and dean at three law schools, including the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville, the Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College (1969–72), and the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.[1][7][10] As dean of the Brandeis School of Law, Wren oversaw the opening of a new wing of the law school building, "doubling the space and providing a handsome home for the law library and the Brandeis papers".[3]

Wren also authored multiple editions of The Of Counsel Agreement, a guidebook for law offices wishing to have attorneys of counsel to the firm.[2][11] Following the release of the second edition in 1999, the ABA Journal remarked that the first edition "helped thousands of lawyers and law firms enter the largely undefined area of the Of Counsel relationship".[2]

Personal life

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Wren married Beryl Bird in 1948, with whom he had two children, both of whom became lawyers. He died on June 13, 2016, at 95 years of age.[1][12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Dean Harold Wren dies at age 95 — Louis D. Brandeis School of Law" – via louisville.edu.
  2. ^ a b c "Practical Guides to Law Office Management", ABA Journal (July 1999), Vol. 85., p. 96.
  3. ^ a b Runyon, Keith (May 16, 2013). "UofL's Brandeis School of Law Impresses Years After Adversity". WFPL.
  4. ^ Columbia College (Columbia University). Office of Alumni Affairs and Development; Columbia College (Columbia University) (1991–1992). Columbia College today. Columbia University Libraries. New York, N.Y. : Columbia College, Office of Alumni Affairs and Development.
  5. ^ "Collection: Harold G. Wren papers | Rare and Distinctive Collections – University of Colorado Boulder". archives.colorado.edu. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  6. ^ "The Virginia Bar Association Journal". Virginia Bar Association. March 15, 1975 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ a b Wren, Harold G. "Charitable Remainder Trusts: Some Considerations to Draftmanship". University of Richmond Law Review. 8: 25.
  8. ^ a b "The Heights, Volume XLV, Number 15 — 15 January 1965 — Boston College Newspapers". newspapers.bc.edu.
  9. ^ a b c Butler, Sarina; Paszkiet, Richard G. (March 15, 2019). The Lawyer's Guide to Buying, Selling, Merging, and Closing a Law Practice. American Bar Association. ISBN 9781590319321 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ "The Collegian — University of Richmond 24 October 1974 — The Collegian Newspaper Archives". collegian.richmond.edu.
  11. ^ Susan A. Berson, The Lawyer's Retirement Planning Guide (2010), p. 234.
  12. ^ "In Memoriam". Columbia Law School.