Last month, Washington DC’s legal community lost a legend. Donald R. Dunner, partner at Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP, passed away at age 88.
In addition to his storied and successful career as a renowned patent attorney, Don was a lifelong friend and advisor to the DC Bar Foundation. He served on the Foundation’s Advisory Committee since 1992 and as Chair of the Committee for the past 10 years. Don was also a steadfast financial supporter of the Foundation for more than 25 years. Paul Smith, former President of the DC Bar Foundation, recently shared these words about Don:
“Don Dunner was two things to me. First, he was the dean of the appellate patent bar, and thus a formidable competitor for us appellate specialists who hoped to gain a slice of the patent appeals heard by the Federal Circuit. Second, he was the single most dedicated fundraising volunteer that we had at the DC Bar Foundation. He was absolutely dedicated to making sure the Foundation had the funds it needed to help fund legal services for the poor in DC. We will miss his cheerful enthusiasm.”
The DC Bar Foundation is extremely grateful for Don’s support of the Foundation and DC’s civil legal aid community, and for his friendship. We offer our condolences to all those who knew him. If you would like to make a gift to the Foundation in Don’s memory, you may do so here. Please include your short tribute to Don in the “Public Posted Comments” section on our donation form.