Herman David Rothman (H. David Rothman)
ROTHMAN: Herman David Rothman, June 22, 1931 – December 1, 2018, commonly known as H. David Rothman, a devoted husband of 58 years and an extraordinarily loving father, who, in addition, was a tireless advocate of constitutional rights and legal education, died on Saturday, December 1, 2018. He was 87 years old. He is survived by his loving wife, Maxine Kravitz Rothman, his children, Denice Rothman Hinden (Larry Hinden), Ira J. Rothman (Michelle Charles Rothman), Lee M. Rothman (Rhonda Rothman), his brothers, Elliot P. Rothman and Irving N. Rothman, and his 10 grandchildren: Max, Alec, Chloe, Troy, Madeline and Jacob Rothman and Amber Boswell (Justin Boswell), Logan Moon, Anna Hinden and Thea Charles-Moon. H. David was a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School, class of 1949, the University of Pittsburgh, class of 1953, and received his law degree from Georgetown University in 1956. Following a legal clerkship during his time at Georgetown for the Honorable Harold M. Stevens, who was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C., by former president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, David returned to Pittsburgh in 1957 to practice law where he continued to impact people’s lives for 56 years. A regular fixture on Grant Street in both the federal and state courts, as well as state courts throughout the various counties of Western Pennsylvania, H. David certainly left his mark on the legal community. A remarkable and innovative criminal defense trial lawyer, H. David honed his trial skills and was one of the original attorneys hired by the newly formed Office of Neighborhood Legal Services in 1966 under the supervision of the late Honorable Judge George H. Ross. This office was formed to represent indigent people and became the foundation of what is now known as the Allegheny Office of the Public Defender. This focus of people less fortunate became a lifelong focus of H. David. H. David Rothman’s love and appreciation for the city of Pittsburgh and animals were realized through his walks with his dog through the city streets and parks of Pittsburgh as well as relaxing times while watching or listening to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers games. H. David also volunteered his time teaching American Government and Law at Peabody High School, a program supported and promoted by the Allegheny Bar Association. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment to the greater Western Pennsylvania legal community was his years of service as an adjunct professor at Duquesne University School of Law, where he taught constitutional law and criminal procedure. His ability to influence young legal minds with entertaining, insightful and intelligent application of the law to real-life situations made his course a “must” for those who felt passion for individual rights. Additionally, David served on the Pennsylvania State Criminal Rules committee for many years working to create rules and regulations to improve the practice of criminal law throughout the state of Pennsylvania. His courtroom demeanor was known by all to be that of integrity, preparedness, grace and fierce advocacy. He will be greatly missed and remembered by those whose lives he influenced with his passion for knowledge, philosophy, understanding and devotion to equal rights in life and the law. At the request of the deceased, there will be no funeral service. A brief memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2018, from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM at the Rivers Club, Monongahela Room, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, Suite 411, Pittsburgh PA 15219; (412) 391.5227. In honor of H. David’s love of animals, donations may be made in his name and be sent to: Humane Animal Rescue, 6926 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208.
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