Samuel Levinson, Attorney

Samuel L. Levinson, among Seattle's best-known and longest-lived attorneys, was a dashing warrior in personal-injury battles.

As a Seattle Symphony trustee for 50 years and a Children's Home Society director for 40 years, he helped lead both groups from relative obscurity to national prominence.

Mr. Levinson died of a cerebral hemorrhage Friday, Dec. 8. He was 94.

"He was handsome and convincing in front of a jury, with his blue eyes, dark hair and pencil mustache," said law partner Hal Vhugen. "He believed in his cases and fought hard. But he maintained friendships with opposing attorneys and was a tireless advocate for the little guy before pro bono was the norm.

"We'd say, `Sam! What're you taking on that case for?' and he'd say, `Because there's no one else who cares to help this person.' "

Born in England and reared in Tacoma and Seattle, Mr. Levinson learned to love the arts from his father, who wrote for Yiddish theater. Young Levinson began working at 10 delivering newspapers, then telegrams - on roller skates.

Spending summers at logging camps to pay for his schooling, he earned a law degree from the University of Washington (1925), and a law degree from Columbia University (1926).

Upon returning to Seattle, he had to choose between earning good pay selling shoes at Frederick & Nelson, or struggling as a new lawyer with an established firm.

He became an expert in maritime law. But he specialized in

trial law, helping to found the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and joining many other professional groups.

With a cousin in 1937 he founded the firm that became Levinson, Friedman, Vhugen, Duggan and Bland.

Levinson traveled widely and studied classical piano.

"He had very diverse interests," said his granddaughter's husband, Alan Freyd of Edmonds. "If it was a quality thing, if it offered enlightenment and was a pleasure to watch - whether music, theater or sports - that's what he was interested in."

Other survivors include his grandson, David Levinson of Snohomish; granddaughter, Linda Freyd, Edmonds; a great-grandson; daughter-in-law, Ruth Levinson, Seattle; brother, Robert Levinson, Las Vegas; and nieces and nephews. His wife, Elsa Levinson, and son, Samuel H. Levinson, predeceased him.

Services were held. Remembrances may go to Children's Home Society of Washington, 3300 N.E. 65th St., Seattle, WA 98115; Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Center House Building, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA 98109; or any charity.