It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our founding partner Phil C. Neal. Phil died September 27, 2016 at the age of 97. 

Phil was an extraordinary lawyer whose clear-eyed counsel helped countless clients over many years, and his high principles, integrity and supple intellect helped forge the character of our firm. As fellow founding partner Marshall E. Eisenberg said, “Phil was a wonderful person and a titan of the legal community. His impact on our firm cannot be overstated and he will be missed dearly.” 

In addition to being integral to the founding of Neal Gerber Eisenberg in 1986, Phil chaired the firm’s litigation practice in the firm’s early years and served as a member of the Executive Committee until recently. He litigated cases on a wide range of issues, from antitrust to school desegregation, and advised the corporate boards of major companies. 

Prior to founding our firm, Phil’s distinguished legal career included serving on the faculty of the Law School of Stanford University and in a variety of high-profile public service positions. He was well known to many in the legal community for his 21-year teaching career at the University of Chicago Law School, where he also served as dean from 1963 to 1975. 

All of us at Neal Gerber Eisenberg ask you to join us in expressing our deepest condolences to Phil’s family, particularly his wife Linda, and his sons Stephen, Timothy and Andrew and their families. We were all fortunate to have been guided and inspired by Phil’s example. 

A memorial celebration will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 5, in the Glen Lloyd Auditorium, University of Chicago Law School. 

To learn more about Phil’s life and accomplished career, please read the obituary published on the University of Chicago’s Law School website.

Click here to read Phil's obituary in the Chicago Tribune.