Michael F. Beausang, Jr.

1936-2011

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Mike Beausang.  Mike was a member of this Firm since 1971, and he was a major factor in forging the Firm’s identity.

Mike obtained his BS from the University of Pennsylvania, his LLB from Georgetown, and his LLM in taxation from New York University.

Working with Mike was a rich experience, not only for his intellectual qualities, especially in the field of taxation, but for his intensity.  Mike’s personality would not allow him to be passive and he pursued his clients’ causes with remarkable vigor.  It was his hallmark.

In addition to his impressive practice, Mike was the author of three of the highly respected Tax Management Portfolios; he was a tax lawyer’s tax lawyer!  As partners we quickly came to appreciate his expertise and to lean on him for counseling.  As busy as he always seemed to be, he was readily accessible to the members of the Firm.  What many might not realize is that Mike’s degree at Penn was in engineering; particularly in the early part of his career he practiced patent law.

Although much of his life was dedicated to his practice, Mike was anything but one-dimensional.  He was (surprise!) as assertive on the tennis court as he was in the courtroom; he loved the game, and played it well.

Then there was Mike the fisherman.  To go fishing on Mike’s boat was to be pampered, and he catered to every whim.  He saw to it that his boats were always in perfect condition (he could breakdown and reassemble an engine!).  Though he might be in motion the entire trip out and back, it never seemed burdensome to him.  He reveled in his guests’ joy.

With it all, Mike’s total dedication to his children, grandchildren, and his loving wife, Deborah, eclipsed all else.  In their presence the hard-charging lawyer’s heart took charge.  His pride in his clan was reflected in the dozens of photos throughout his office.  Nothing mattered more.

He was highly complex, innovative, and accomplished, and he made enormous contributions to this Firm.  His absence creates a great void, and he is missed.

Thanks, Mike.