Dallas Forshew of the ALS Association congratulates James Barber |
The ALS Association of Los Angeles is honoring former Hancock, Rothert & Bunshoft partner James Barber with its Iron Horse award this weekend, and on Wednesday he was toasted by his former colleagues, who now practice at Duane Morris.
Barber has been living with ALS since 2006. Although retired from practice, he has put his legal expertise to work with the ALS Associations of L.A. and the Bay Area to draft and help pass legislation to fight the disease, known technically as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The Iron Horse was the nickname of baseball player Lou Gehrig, who died from the disease in 1941.
Barber credited state Senate President Darrell Steinberg for playing a key role in pass the 2008 legislation: SB 1503, which established a standard of care for ALS, and SB 1502, which established a state tax "check off" for ALS research. "He's got a lot on his mind -- like a $20 billion deficit," Barber said. "But he always keeps a slot open for the ALS community."
Barber joined Hancock Rothert as its first employee in 1975 and practiced at the firm for 30 years. Numerous Hancock veterans, including longtime firm chairman Barry Bunshoft, joined others at Duane Morris in wishing well to Barber and his wife, Cheryl.
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