Legal News

Jeff Rawitz, successful Carona defender, dies

By Richard Binder

Jeffrey M. Rawitz, the former Jones Day partner who helped defend Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona, died Sunday evening from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 46.

Known for his bulldog demeanor during the trial, Rawitz consistently painted Carona as a victim targeted by overzealous prosecutors. He also questioned the credibility of the prosecution's key witness, former Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl.

Rawitz, a New York native who earned his law degree at Boston University, worked as a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles from 1991 to 2001. He joined the law firm Jones Day in 2003.

His health forced him to retire from Jones Day in 2009.

Rawitz is survived by his wife Caroline Moreaux Rawitz, his mother Suzanne Rawitz, his two daughters Emma Rawitz and Isabelle Rawitz.

Memorial services will be held in New York Thursday. A service in Los Angeles also is being planned.

Full story here.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on June 17, 2010 (boomark / email).