In Memoriam
David S. Shrager was a familiar face – not only in Philadelphia legal circles, but among personal injury attorneys nationwide. With his passing in 2005, our firm lost more than an outstanding leader, unwavering advocate, and brilliant litigator – we lost a dear friend.
Though David asked to be remembered simply as “an honest lawyer who just tried to help people,” he left a much more significant legacy. In Philadelphia, many colleagues remember him as a caring mentor and a “trial lawyer’s lawyer” who always took the time to provide sage advice.
David was among the first to volunteer legal aid when it was needed. After the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, David was one of the first lawyers to volunteer for Trial Lawyers Care, the largest and most successful pro bono legal service programs ever undertaken. He also convinced his fellow attorneys at Shrager & Sachs to contribute to the cost of the organization in lieu of our annual holiday party.
David was the founder of the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association and served as its president from 1971 to 1972. He also served as president of the American Association of Justice – AAJ – and was serving a term on the AAJ Executive Committee when he passed away. From 1985 to 1988, David served as president of the Roscoe Pound Institute and as chairman of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association’s Civil Litigation Section. He was a member of the Board of Overseers of the RAND Institute of Civil Justice for six years and the Civil Procedural Rules Committee for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. David also helped form the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice.
