Attorney And Climate Change Expert Lawrence Demase Dies

PITTSBURGH, PA - Lawrence Alfred Demase, a retired partner in the Reed Smith law firm best known for his efforts to remediate hazardous waste sites, died Jan. 18 in Shadyside Hospital following a brief hospitalization. Mr. Demase, of Fox Chapel, was 72.

Mr. Demase was raised in the North Hills. He received a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1967 and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1971.

At Reed Smith, much of Mr. Demase's focus was on cases related to the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Superfund program through which the federal government cleans up hazardous waste sites. In 2009, he traveled to Copenhagen to participate in the United Nations summit on climate change, where he worked to draft a plan that was part of a U.N. resolution on climate change.

During Mr. Demase's more than 40 years of practicing law, he represented a wide range of clients at all levels of the judicial system, including the U.S. Supreme Court. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling, spending time on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and doting on his granddaughter.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Patricia Jalowick Demase; a daughter, Morgan Katherine, who lives in Reading, MA with her husband, Dave Copeland, and their daughter, Mia Rose; a son, Michael Lawrence Demase who is completing his studies in computer science at Pennsylvania State University-Erie; two brothers, Joseph of Tuscon, AZ and Stevan (Marsha) of Abington VA and his best friend, Kenneth Frederick (Virginia) of Atherton CA; Joseph's son, John, and Stevan's children, Stevan Jr. and Rachel. He is also survived by his loving aunt Sarah Tokash of Cranberry PA. Mr. Demase was preceded in death by a son, Jesse Lawrence.

Friends will be received Sunday from 12-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at John A. Freyvogel Sons., 4900 Centre Ave. in Shadyside. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Scholastica Church, 309 Brilliant Ave., Aspinwall. Everyone should meet at the church.

Photo submitted by the Demase family.