Charles McClung; Longtime O.C. Lawyer

Charles E. McClung, a state deputy attorney general under Gov. Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, died Thursday after suffering a heart attack in his Dana Point home. He was 73.

McClung began his law career in Los Angeles in the 1950s and specialized in eminent domain cases. One of his highest-profile cases was against the city of Los Angeles in which he represented homeowners whose houses were being razed to make room for the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles. He worked most recently at McClung and Davis in Laguna Beach.

“He was passionate about the law and was concerned there wasn’t enough of it in today’s world,” said Charlotte, his wife of 48 years.

McClung was born in Evanston, Ill., and moved with his family to Marin County when he was 8. After serving in the Navy, he earned bachelor’s and law degrees at Stanford University.

“He liked helping people more than anything,” said his son James, of Denver. “He went into the practice of law to help the little guy. He was the kind of person who wouldn’t just give a buck to the guy on the street, he’d give him five.”

He is survived by his wife; his three children, Charlie, Susan Davis and James; and five grandchildren. The family requests that any donations be made to the Hands Together child-care center, 201 Civic Center Drive E., Santa Ana, CA 92701.