What Attorney Died Today?
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Larry Parker was widely respected in Southern California for his car accident and personal injury law practice and could often be found advertising across billboards in the region. According to family members speaking with TMZ, Larry passed away Friday at 75.
David Jungerman
David Jungerman, 85, who had been charged with killing Tom Pickert after returning home after walking his children to school last May has died while still awaiting sentencing by Missouri Department of Mental Health, his attorney reported Monday. Jungerman was found guilty of first-degree murder following his fatal shooting of Pickert on February 7, 2017 outside his residence after walking back after walking them there from their school walk-about.
Last year’s two-week homicide trial lasted nearly two months, with Ross making several comments during closing arguments that suggested both prosecutors and police settled on Jungerman as a suspect due to an alleged motive, while not carefully exploring other possibilities. He further contended that detectives mishandled evidence — such as surveillance video that didn’t fit their theory of the case — which contradicted their theory.
At the time of his death, he was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. In a statement issued following his passing, his family thanked the community for its support while mourning their “wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend”.
Dr. Cyril Wecht, 93 years old and an attorney who specialized in defending doctors accused of practicing medicine without a license has passed away. Wecht’s distinctive combination of pathologist expertise and lawyering garnered him notice from both prosecutors and TV viewers alike; his biting cynicism and controversial opinions regarding high-profile deaths attracted both audiences and prosecutors alike. A frequent talk show guest, Wecht often shared his viewpoints regarding autopsies as well as cases such as OJ Simpson’s conviction or Michael Jackson’s 2009 death.
Charles Ogletree Jr., an esteemed Harvard Law School professor and leading civil rights advocate, died peacefully at 70. A champion for black rights, Ogletree served on various nonprofit organizations that worked toward greater civil justice while teaching classes on social justice at HLS as well as being active within Harvard Alumni Association. Charles is survived by his wife, daughter, and son and has been fighting Alzheimer’s since 2015.
Greg Underwood
Greg Underwood was a trailblazer who served as Norfolk’s first Black Commonwealth’s Attorney from 2021-2025 and died recently at age 68. Ramin Fatehi who succeeded Underwood shared news of his passing on social media.
Underwood was born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina and graduated high school at 16. After his high school graduation he joined the Air Force as an aircraft electrician before enrolling at UNC Chapel Hill for law school. Once graduated he started practicing with Virginia Legal Aid Society Farmville before being hired as Norfolk prosecutor in 1990; eventually working privately before rejoining prosecution as Commonwealth’s Attorney of Virginia Beach until being elected his first CA position in Norfolk in 2009.
Underwood not only served as the city’s top prosecutor but was a passionate supporter of criminal justice reform. He frequently raised issues concerning minorities’ treatment by law enforcement and court systems (such as profiling), including issues around race.
He was widely respected for his work with domestic violence cases, having helped found the first and only family justice center in the state. Furthermore, he championed legislation prohibiting local judges from requesting cash bail for low-level drug offenses which often discriminated against poor defendants.
Ogletree was an esteemed Harvard professor, award-winning lawyer, and tireless champion for civil rights. He died Friday in Odenton, Maryland aged 78 having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease two years prior. Ogletree leaves behind his wife, one son, and multiple daughters as his legacy.
On Thursday at 11 am at Bennett-Bertram Funeral Home in Hodgenville, there will be a memorial service. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Kentucky Humanities Council. Funeral services will follow at 2 pm Friday at First Baptist Church Lamberts Point. Surviving family include his wife Teresa Underwood; daughter Shannon Underwood, Heath Underwood and Chris Underwood as well as Cheryl Hall, Kimmel Smith and Terry Underwood along with nine grandchildren – an online guestbook is available and visits with family from 5 pm to 7pm Wednesday at Bennett-Bertram Funeral Home Hodgenville.
Ronald Fischetti
Ronald Fischetti had extensive experience representing criminals and politicians during his lengthy legal career, making him the perfect choice to represent Donald Trump when the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office began probing into his company. Fischetti provided gravitas that had previously been absent in this matter – plus was familiar to Mark Pomerantz who headed up this investigation.
Fischetti became widely recognized for his skillful trial advocacy skills and masterful storytelling ability honed over decades of appearing before judges and juries. Additionally, he was highly esteemed instructor as well as a legal commentator on many media outlets.
Fischetti was known for his no-holds-barred approach to cases, not cutting deals with prosecutors in order to achieve optimal results for his clients. In particular, he excelled at representing police officers facing civil rights charges such as Charles “Chuck” Schwarz in Abner Louima’s case.
His work was widely recognized by both other lawyers and his clients – including several judges – and was frequently commended. A strong proponent of First Amendment rights, he often spoke out against attempts to limit freedom of speech. A member of Yorktown Heights Chamber of Commerce as well as an avid golfer.
Rae Coiro was his beloved partner of 66 years and they shared two children: Anthony T. Fischetti and Lisa Bell. Additionally, Florence Walensky remains as his sister while Jordan, Emily and Caroline his beloved granddaughters continue their lives today.
Emanuel was also an outstanding member of his community, serving on multiple boards and committees. He was a founding trustee of Westchester Jewish Center and co-chair of Holocaust Memorial Council of Greater New York Region; additionally he was on the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey board, co-chairing its Holocaust Memorial and Education Center fund; further served on Board of Directors of Holocaust Museum & Education Center of State of New York Board, member of American Association of Justice as well as graduate from St John’s University School of Law.
Jake Bloom
Jake Bloom, an entertainment lawyer known for representing Hollywood talent on both sides of the camera, died peacefully at his Idaho home last night at age 81. Bloom was co-founder of Bloom Hergott LLP which represented Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Jerry Bruckheimer, Charles Roven, John Davis, Larry Gordon and Lorenzo di Bonaventura as producers; as well as actors Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham as clients.
His generosity was also widely recognized; he contributed generously to causes including local Idaho hunger relief efforts and Jewish organizations, in addition to acting as a mentor to numerous young attorneys and industry professionals.
Bloom and Alan Hergott ran their namesake firm until 2019, when they abruptly retired amid litigation with former client Johnny Depp who filed suit for $50 million based on allegations that the pair mismanaged his divorce proceedings with Amber Heard as well as collected millions of dollars without formal retainer agreements over decades.
After some restructuring and a name change to Goodman Genow Schenkman Smelkinson & Christopher and Brecheen Feldman Breimer Silver & Thompson were established, many clients continued with them as new boutiques.
Jake was brought before Otis and the player after they observed him frantically betting thousands of dollars on Wendy Tucker’s team and losing, leading him to lose all his money in betting on it and thus face questioning by authorities. Jake revealed he bet all his savings against her losing, leading them to question him further about why he lost everything he betted with them.
Jake became embroiled in the attempted murder of paranormal expert Kevin Smalls and wine expert Jordan Burns as well as their subsequent deaths, while being arrested for the rape of high roller Sammy Lawrence and sentenced to prison. During his time behind bars he quickly became known for his wisecracks and antics in prison yard; even hosting his own radio show there! A fan of The Simpsons himself, Jake is survived by his wife, son and daughter; being a member of both American Bar Association and California State Bar associations.
