Jerry Facher partner with WilmerHale.

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr legendary litigator Jerry Facher, who was once portrayed by Robert Duvall in the movie "A Civil Action," died on Sept. 19 at the age of 93.

The onetime chair of Hale and Dorr's litigation department, Facher for 29 years also taught a section of Trial Practice at Harvard Law School.

Facher's best-known trial, a firm spokeswoman wrote, "was his defense of Beatrice Foods in an environmental contamination case in Boston federal court which resulted in a favorable jury verdict after a 78-day trial."

The case was the subject of "A Civil Action," the best-selling book by Jonathan Harr. In 1998, it was made into a movie starring Duvall as Facher and John Travolta as plaintiff's attorney Jan Schlichtmann.

 "Although some thought Duvall overdid Jerry as a quirky, frugal curmudgeon and entirely ignored Jerry's deep affection for a good suit and nice shoes (often from London), Jerry was thrilled to be a part of the movie, and regaled many at WilmerHale with anecdotes from his long dinner with Duvall, his time on the set, and dealings with the movie's props director with whom Jerry entrusted a number of treasures from his office which appeared on the set," the firm spokeswoman said.

Facher also served on the Massachusetts Judicial Nominating Commission, was appointed by President Carter as chairman of the First Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, and chaired the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure, and on the Academic Committee of the Flaschner Judicial Institute. The Supreme Judicial Court twice appointed him as special counsel to the Judicial Conduct Commission to investigate instances of judicial misconduct.  

"Jerry made an indelible impact on the people and places he touched," the firm said, "including at WilmerHale where he achieved legendary status as a brilliant trial lawyer, revered for his humility, kindness, and commitment to making the profession and following generations of lawyers excellent."