“What They Teach Us, and How We Move Forward” by Ray Dall’Osto

The death of a very good friend can be tough enough. It is extremely difficult when that good friend is someone you have known since law school; someone who has worked closely with you, since back when we were newly-minted young public defenders, and then later, when we joined the same law firm and practiced together for many decades. When we were young lawyers, as well as when we were older and much more experienced litigators, we would brainstorm often, analyze evidence, research and debate the law and the best approaches to defending a case, and how to effectively frame and present our arguments, both to a jury and to the prosecution in negotiation. From early on, we handled tough and complex cases together, often with difficult clients who demanded much. And we always gave our clients our care, empathy and best efforts.

We learned about new areas of the law and applied our skills and experiences in them to better serve our clients., including, as years went by, many health care and other licensed professionals, to save their careers from the functional equivalent of the death penalty. We worked damn hard, cared greatly about each of our clients and their families and/or businesses, no matter what their circumstance and no matter what the legal charges they faced. We were quietly proud of what we did, of the quality of our work and of the results we achieved for our clients. We were always partners, each other’s wingmen and brothers in the struggle. Our close working relationship continued when we became partners at our law firm, and ultimately, the “old lions” at the firm, successfully managing it along with our fellow partners, through the Covid pandemic and difficult times. We cared about each other throughout, and about the lawyers and other employees at our law firm and their families, and did our best to preserve the firm and its good reputation. That good friend and brother was my law partner Pat Knight.

Pat Knight's and my unstated motto was that one’s actions and good works speak louder than words, boasting, hype and lawyer advertising. We practiced law together and saw our families and careers grow on similar tracks. Pat and I tried to effectively deal with the highs and lows of life and the changes to and challenges of the practice of law at the end of the 20th and into the 21st Century. It was never easy to be a criminal and white collar defense attorney, and has gotten tougher. Pat Knight always approached life and the law with deep insight, a sharp, but never cruel, sense of humor and quick wit which was unparalleled. He could quickly identify and puncture the bubble of pretension and hypocrisy. Pat always told it straight, to his clients and to his colleagues, in an empathetic and effective way.

As often happens in life, sickness and death can come too early. Pat’s beloved wife and inseparable life partner Tricia, a very respected and successful CPA, had a relapse of cancer. Pat and Tricia were planning to scale back from work to enjoy life more in their late ’60’s. Instead, I witnessed Pat selflessly caring for his sick and dying wife 24/7. He was by her side when she passed away. A year after Tricia’s death, Pat faced his own health challenge from cancer. He bravely faced the disease, continued working and representing his clients, and held his children and grandchildren close. He was stoic to the end, and still retained his inimitable sense of humor.

Pat lived his life fully and well. He loved and was well-loved. He cared for all of those he helped as a lawyer, and particularly, for those who were unable to help themselves. He gave a damn. What Pat Knight was and how he lived and comported himself is an excellent example for all of us to emulate. Good bye, my friend and brother. I love you.