David Arthur Cathcart, 63; Specialist in Labor Law

L.A. Times Archives

Oct. 2, 2003 12 AM PT

David Arthur Cathcart, a senior partner in the international law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, has died. He was 63.

Cathcart died of cancer Tuesday at his home in Pasadena.

For the record:

12:00 a.m. Oct. 3, 2003 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday October 03, 2003 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 37 words Type of Material: Correction
Cathcart memorial -- The obituary of attorney David Arthur Cathcart in the California section Thursday incorrectly said the memorial service would be held Oct. 2. It will be held at 3:30 p.m. next Thursday at Caltech’s Athenaeum.

A leading labor and employment law specialist, the attorney served on the Management Advisory Committee of the National Labor Relations Board from 1994 to 1998. He was also founding chairman of the American Employment Law Council and held leadership posts in the American Bar Assn.

Cathcart was a senior editor of the widely used California Employment Litigation Practice Guide, published in 2002, and editor in chief of the Five-Year Cumulative Supplement to Employment Discrimination Law, published in 1989.

Born in Pasadena, Cathcart grew up in Palo Alto and received a bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford. He went to Harvard for a master’s degree in political science and later earned a law degree.

He joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and worked in the Los Angeles office until 1970, when he left to become chief legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. John V. Tunney (D-Calif.).

According to a statement from the firm, Cathcart was instrumental in the drafting and passage of the Water Quality Act, which has improved the conditions for fishing and swimming in many of the nation’s waterways.

“Dave is one of the most remarkable men that I have ever worked with,” Tunney said in a statement. “His marvelous intellect and his prodigious energy and judgment made such a difference to so many people who have been beneficially affected by that legislation.”

Cathcart returned to the law firm in 1972 and was made a partner in 1975.

Over the years, he was involved in a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the 9th Judicial Circuit Historical Society. He also served on the board of governors of the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club.

Cathcart is survived by his wife, Janet Farley Cathcart; daughters Sarah and Rebecca; brothers Pat and Mike; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held today at 3:30 p.m. at Caltech’s Athenaeum.