Stephen Harmelin, The American business and transactional lawyer Stephen Joseph Harmelin was born on May 7, 1939, and died on May 3, 2025. He co-chaired Philadelphia law firm Dilworth Paxson LLP. He was director of speechwriting and an assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson in the White House from 1964 to 1965.
Stephen Harmelin Obituary : His Biography and Legal Legacy
Stephen Harmelin Background and education
Philadelphia is where Harmelin’s Jewish family was born. Harmelin graduated from Central High. Penn and Harvard Law School awarded him degrees. Military service: US Coast Guard.
Working Life Harmelin began practicing law in 1964. Harmelin was Lyndon B. Johnson’s adviser and White House Speechwriting Director from 1964 to 1965. Johnson tasked Harmelin with creating White House Fellows. Philadelphia deputy district attorney Harmelin had a special duty in 1970.
Attorney Harmelin joined Dilworth Paxson LLP in 1965. Governor Bob Casey Sr. appointed Harmelin to the board of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority in 1989. He ruled until 2002. He served as general counsel for the Pennsylvania General Assembly and State Senate on the Legislative Reapportionment Commission in 1992. While acting as receiver ad litem from 2007 to 2008, he collected $170 million, the most ever recovered by the CFTC. He served on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals’ task force to select attorneys.
The National Constitution Center was lucky to have Harmelin as general attorney and trustee. Harmelin received the Replansky Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association Corporate Law Committee for his public participation, law, and professionalism work.
Stephen Harmelin’s life
Harmelin helped found the Philadelphia Constitution Foundation and handled the 1987 and 2001 Magna Carta housing efforts. He served on the boards of the Atlantic Legal Foundation, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Barnes Foundation. He mentioned the National Constitution Center on the History Channel’s Save Our History.
Retired Pennsylvania senator Specter was Harmelin’s buddy. He was Specter’s 2004 re-election campaign treasurer.
Parkinson’s disease killed him at his Society Hill home on May 3, 2025.
Honoring Stephen Harmelin
In moments like these, we feel the loss deeply. Stephen Harmelin left a lasting impact on many lives.
If you have any memories or thoughts to share, please feel free to leave a comment below. Let’s come together to remember and celebrate his life.
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