Obituaries : Timothy Chapman; Law Firm Partner

Timothy Chapman, a partner in the Los Angeles office of Berger, Kahn, Shafton, Moss, Figler, Simon & Gladstone, has died. He was 36.

Chapman died July 6 at UC Irvine Medical Center from injuries suffered in an automobile accident nearly two weeks ago.

According to a statement released by the firm, Chapman--a Glendale resident--had been on his way to the Orange County courthouse in Santa Ana to review a file, when his car was hit by a truck that allegedly ran a red light.

One of his firm’s top trial attorneys since his arrival in 1990, Chapman specialized in cases involving insurance companies and automobile dealerships in disputes with customers, according to Allen Michel, managing partner of Berger Kahn’s Los Angeles office.

Michel, who sometimes teamed with Chapman to represent other attorneys in court, described him as “a true gentleman--too decent to be a lawyer.”

Ironically, Michel noted, Chapman frequently tried cases involving vehicle collisions leading to catastrophic injury--usually on the defense side.

Born Jan. 26, 1960, in Burbank, Chapman graduated from Cal Poly in 1984. He received his law degree in 1987 from Whittier College School of Law, where he was editor of the Whittier Law Review. He was later an adjunct professor at the school.

Chapman was a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Assn., the Southern California Defense Counsel and Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity.

Chapman is survived by his wife, Cathy; his parents, Chuck and Jeanette Chapman of Claremont, and several sisters and brothers.

A funeral service will be held today at 10 a.m. at St. Dennis Church, 2151 Diamond Bar Ave., Diamond Bar.

A scholarship fund has been established in Chapman’s name at Whittier College School of Law, 5353 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, 90020. Donations also may be sent to Berger Kahn’s Marina del Rey office at (310) 821-9000.