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Editorial - September 2002 |
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Remembering attorney Clarence Leatherman September 30. 2002 - Clarence Leatherman undoubtedly influenced a lot of lives in this community during the half-century he practiced law here. It is fitting that his portrait should hang in the the courtroom when he spent so much of his career. Last week friends and acquaintances gathered for the dedication ceremony and honored the long-time lawyer with accolades and fond recollections. Leatherman retired in 2000 after practicing law for 52 years. He died in February of this year. In a special session of Superior Court with Judge James W. Morgan presiding, Leatherman’s widow, Charlesanna Walker Leatherman, presented a portrait of her husband to Jerry Cochrane, the chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. On the county’s behalf, Cochrane accepted the gift, which will hang on the Wall of Fame over the jury box in Courtroom No. 2. Charlesanna Leatherman told the courtroom that she and her family were “deeply honored” when local attorney Harvey Jonas and the other members of the bar association approached her about having a portrait of her husband made. She said her husband loved the law and believed deeply in the high purposes of the court. Don Pendleton, Leatherman’s cousin and a fellow attorney, recalled the special bond formed between Leatherman and his clients. He would employ any rule or tactic to get the best possible deal for his client. “He never violated his trust to his client, regardless of race, color or prestige,” Pendleton said. “Once he was employed and paid, he was a loyal attorney to his client and fought passionately and relentlessly for their rights.” He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served Lincoln County for a time as a representative to the North Carolina General Assembly. One biographical footnote that stands out is his long service as attorney to the Lincoln County Schools — 36 years. That alone marks a distinguished record of service to his community.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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