Death of Thomas (“Tom”) L. Stapleton (4/27/23)

Tom Stapleton died on April 24, 2023. His Washington Post obituary is here.

 Tom was in the Appellate Section, first as a line attorney, then as Reviewer, and then as Assistant Chief of Appellate. After Appellate, Tom went to Metropolitan Life, where he rose to Senior Vice President and Tax Director. He then was of counsel to Davis & Harman, LLP. His online bio from the law firm is here.

While I was in Appellate (1969-1974), Tom was a Reviewer. He reviewed briefs drafted by the assigned line appellate lawyer and occasionally took oral arguments. Tom reviewed at least 5 (probably 6 or 7) of my briefs, including 2 or perhaps 3 insurance company tax briefs. He was one of the best reviewers, if not the best, that I worked with in Appellate. He was very good at improving briefs.

On another note, the obit says he was a Brooklyn Dodger fan (presumably because he grew up in Brooklyn) and that Jackie Robinson was his hero. I was a Brooklyn Dodger fan from Greenwood, SC, and Jackie was my hero. I did not have as easy an opportunity to attend games at Ebbets Field as Tom did, but I took every opportunity when in NY.

Death of John Kaleba (4/9/23)

John Kaleba died on 4/4/23. His obituary is here.

 According to the information I received, John served as a trial attorney in Western Criminal Enforcement Section from 1999 to 2004 or 2005.

I did not know John, but I received a comment that “He was a really wonderful man.” I think that is reflected in his obit.