Paul R. Anapol, 75, trial lawyer

Paul R. Anapol, 75, a longtime Philadelphia trial lawyer formerly of Center City, died of complications of an infection Friday, July 6, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Mr. Anapol, who previously lived in Cherry Hill and served as a Camden County freeholder, began his legal career with prominent lawyer Nathaniel Richter. In 1975, he founded his own firm on Locust Street.

Over the years, he became well known as a litigator specializing in catastrophic-injury cases.

"He dedicated his career to fighting for victim's rights. He was a true champion of justice," said his son, Thomas, a partner in the firm now known as Anapol Schwartz.

"He was a great storyteller and communicator, and could hold the attention of any jury," Thomas Anapol said.

When his son was a student at Widener University Law School, Mr. Anapol was a visiting lecturer and "mesmerized the class," his son said.

Mr. Anapol, who had a rapport with judges, wrote a letter to The Inquirer in 1985 after the paper published a negative article about the court system.

"For 25 years," he wrote, "I have tried cases before a very large cross-section of Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judges, as well as federal court judges sitting in Philadelphia, and more than a few state court judges in other areas of Pennsylvania and in other states."

"Without hesitation or reservation, I state that the judges of Philadelphia County are as fine and honest and hardworking as judges anywhere in America."

Mr. Anapol was president of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association in 1986 and 1987 and served on Philadelphia Bar Association committees.

A native of Atlantic City, he played football at Atlantic City High School. While earning a bachelor's degree on an athletic scholarship from Temple University, he played football for the Owls.

His law-school education at the University of Pennsylvania was interrupted by service in the Army in Germany.

He earned a law degree from Penn in 1960, then clerked for Harry Kalodner, a federal judge.

In 1955, Mr. Anapol married Sara Feldman. They raised three children in Cherry Hill before divorcing. In the early 1970s, he was a Camden County freeholder.

In 1987, he married Sarah Thompson Anapol, who shared his love for politics, tennis, sailing, travel, and horseback riding. In recent years, he enjoyed walks with his three Labrador retrievers.

After he retired in 1992, the couple summered in Maine and wintered in Key West, Fla.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Anapol is survived by daughters Andrea and Ruth; four grandchildren; and his former wife.

A memorial and life celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 20, at the offices of Anapol Schwartz, 1710 Spruce St. Memorials will be held later in Portland and Key West.

Donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 1120 G St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, or at woundedwarriorproject.org.

at 215-854-2913 or sdowney@phillynews.com.