Dennis Belcher died quite unexpectedly in April of 2017. He was deeply important to many and his professional accomplishments as well as his enormous personal presence were both well known. Belcher had very strong feelings relating to the practice of law and he relayed this passion to the young lawyers in his employ in meaningful and colorful ways. Of the incalculable losses to family, friends, and colleagues, one of the prominent is that Belcher will no longer teach and train young lawyers. The advice he offered was usually blunt and to-the-point. When an associate asked him whether or not she should change careers, he replied, “Wealthy families will always need solutions to complex problems, all families are dysfunctional, and Congress cannot repeal greed—we’ll be fine.” Among his more memorable comments involving clients, Belcher said, “Rich clients live longer than poor clients, and mean clients live longer than everyone.” Though the vibrant tapestry that made up Dennis Belcher’s life has seen its final thread, the lessons and passion he exuded throughout his life will certainly color the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him well.
See Dana G. Fitzsimons Jr., Remembering Dennis Belcher, Probate and Property Magazine, December 2017.
