Reed Smith Partner Commits Suicide in Chicago

There was unhappy news out of Chicago last week. Stewart Dolin, an M&A partner at Reed Smith, was struck and killed by a train on Thursday. According to the Chicago Tribune, the coroner has ruled the death a suicide.

Dolin was the co-chair of Reed Smith’s corporate and securities practice. He lived in Glencoe, north of Chicago, and was hit by a northbound train at a Blue Line station in the Loop at 1:45 p.m.

When suicides happen, many firms will turn the person’s website bio into a temporary “in memoriam” page, but Dolin’s bio has been removed. A firm spokesman tells us: “After conferring with the family we kept our communication memorializing Stu internal.”

The managing partner in the Chicago office has issued a statement about Dolin’s death.

This is the statement issued by Chicago Managing Partner Michael LoVallo:

“Stu Dolin was a close personal friend, valued colleague and a great leader in our firm. His energy and spirit benefited everyone around him. Stu’s death is a profound loss to all of us personally and to Reed Smith.

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Our thoughts and prayers are with Stu’s wife Wendy and the Dolin family at this time and we are providing them and each other with whatever comfort and support we can under these very difficult circumstances.”

Says the Chicago Tribune:

Mr. Dolin began practicing law in 1977, after graduating from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He joined Sachnoff & Weaver in 1989 and became chair of its business department. After the firm merged with Reed Smith in 2007, he became head of the combined firm’s U.S. corporate and securities group.

Our condolences go out to Dolin’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Please note this resource out there for lawyers who are depressed: The ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs.

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Stewart Dolin, 1952 – 2010 [Chicago Tribune]
Glencoe man fatally struck by CTA train [Pioneer Local]