Bion Gregory, 64; Former Chief Attorney of State Legislature
Bion Gregory, 64, the California Legislature’s former chief attorney for 25 years, died Wednesday morning, apparently of heart failure, as he was getting ready for work. He was a partner in the law firm of Nossaman, Gunther, Knox and Elliott, which he joined after leaving the legislative counsel’s office in 2001.
“Bion Gregory served our country, the state and our Legislature with distinction,” said Senate President Pro Tem John Burton (D-San Francisco). “His skills and professionalism were exceptional.”
Gregory headed the legislative counsel’s office, overseeing the preparation of thousands of bills, amendments and legal opinions. He also represented the Legislature in court.
Former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) said Gregory often had to advise Republicans and Democrats on the same issues without telling them what the other side was working on.
Gregory was born in Sacramento in 1940 and graduated from Stanford University and the UC Hastings College of Law. He served as a Navy communications officer during the early years of the Vietnam War. He was president of the Sacramento County Bar Assn. in 2003.
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