A 57-year-old partner at a New York- and New Jersey-based law firm has died of complications from the coronavirus – two days after he wrote in an email that he was improving, according to a report.
Richard Weber Jr., a Manhattan-based partner at Gallo Vitucci Klar, died Wednesday, according to Law.com, which cited the LGBT Bar Association of New York, or LeGal, of which Weber was a board member.
“He was just a wonderful human being with a real dedication to giving back to others,” LeGal Executive Director Eric Lesh said.
“We urge our members and friends to stay safe and healthy. Protect yourselves, friends and family. We are all in this together. We will continue to pursue equality and justice with Richard’s memory and generous spirit in our hearts,” Lesh and LeGal board President Kristen Prata Browde told the group’s members in a statement.
Weber’s death came two days after he wrote in an email that he had tested positive and was hospitalized, but doing better.
“Everyone at Gallo Vitucci Klar LLP is heartbroken and devastated by the loss of Richard,” the 80-lawyer firm said in a statement. “He was a wonderful attorney and shining light at our firm. Our thoughts right now are with his family.”
Gallo Vitucci said its Manhattan office has been closed since Weber disclosed his symptoms on March 10. The lawyers and staff have been working remotely.
“Fortunately, no one else at that office or the firm has had any COVID-19 symptoms or a positive diagnosis,” the company said.
Weber graduated from Seton Hall Law School in 1991, according to his LinkedIn profile.
