R. Robert Popeo, the chairman of the powerhouse law firm Mintz Levin and an integral part of Boston’s business and civic communities for more than 40 years, died on Monday, according to the law office. He was 85.
Popeo passed away peacefully in the presence of his family, the law office confirmed.
As the chairman of Mintz and a member of the firm’s Policy Committee, Popeo has been credited with establishing the firm’s Litigation Practice — and the nationally recognized White Collar Criminal Defense Practice.
“Bob led by example and was a tireless and enthusiastic advocate for clients,” Bob Bodian, managing member of Mintz, said in a statement on Monday. “Bob had a storied career and his success as a litigator and a leader set the foundation for what Mintz has become today.
“We will remember him as a legendary lawyer, a creative strategist, a tenacious force, an involved and generous member of his community, and a good friend,” Bodian added.
Popeo played a key role in reforming the Massachusetts court system, according to his bio.
He represented a wide range of high-profile clients, including CEOs, doctors, lawyers, and leading political figures. He also represented several Fortune 500 companies and their directors and officers.
“Bob derived great pleasure from the success of the firm, in which he played a major role throughout his career, and seeing the success of his colleagues,” Bodian said. “We are grateful for Bob’s countless contributions to our clients, our people, our culture, and the communities that Mintz serves.
“Bob had a remarkable influence and impact on so many and he will be sorely missed,” Bodian added.
Across federal, state, and administrative courts and agencies nationwide, Popeo tried some of the most highly publicized white collar criminal cases in the country.
He was in the news last year for a high-profile case out of Boston federal court. Popeo was on the Mintz team that secured an acquittal on all charges brought against client Amin Khoury, who had been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, honest services fraud and federal programs bribery. The trial was tied to the nationwide college admissions scandal known as “Operation Varsity Blues.”
“As magnificent a lawyer as Bob Popeo was — and there was none better — he was even more magnificent a human being, and there was also none better,” Jeffrey Robbins, of Saul Ewing and who is also a Herald columnist, said in a statement.
“He had an unrivaled capacity to give — to family, to friends (and there were thousands of those), to his colleagues, and to his community, writ large,” Robbins added. “The expression ‘there will never be another one quite like him’ has been used before. But it is hard to imagine it applying to anyone more than it does to Bob.”
The city “has lost a true, grand Bostonian,” said George K. Regan, Jr., the chairman of Regan Communications Group.
“Bob Popeo is among that rare pantheon of leaders that has made the city what it is today,” Regan said. “I have treasured Bob’s friendship and guidance for decades since my days working for Mayor Kevin White. As an attorney, Bob Popeo was involved in many landmark cases and as a philanthropist, his heart knew no bounds. I am a better person for knowing Bob. He was a father figure for me and he will be sadly missed by all.”