Ralstone R. Irvine; Antitrust Specialist
Ralstone R. Irvine, a founding partner with Maj. Gen. William J. (Wild Bill) Donovan of the prestigious law firm of Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine, died Wednesday at his Scarsdale, N.Y., home.
He was 87 and with Donovan, the World War II director of the Office of Strategic Services, founded the New York-based firm in 1929.
Irvine, who practiced law for more than 55 years, was a specialist in antitrust cases and also was special counsel for Howard Hughes, RKO Pictures and Walt Disney Productions. His other clients included the National Electrical Manufacturers Assn. and the American Assn. of Advertising Agencies.
Irvine met Donovan, who died in 1959, after he graduated from Cornell University’s law school and joined the Justice Department. He was a special assistant to Donovan and involved in antitrust cases.
Over the years their firm, with additional partners, opened offices in Washington, Paris and Los Angeles.
Irvine is survived by his wife, Mamie; three daughters and seven grandchildren.
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