Harvey Miller, Bankruptcy Law Pioneer, Dies

By Matt Jarzemsky and Mike Spector 

Harvey R. Miller, who was widely credited for developing the modern practice of bankruptcy law while giving legal counsel to Texaco Inc., Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., General Motors Co. and other firms at the center of the U.S.'s largest-ever corporate failures, died Monday. He was 82.

Mr. Miller, who founded the bankruptcy practice at law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, passed away after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, according to a Weil spokeswoman. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth.

Born in Brooklyn during the Great Depression, Mr. Miller rose to represent companies in the highest-profile Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings of the past 30 years, including Continental Airlines Inc., retailer R.H. Macy & Co. and comic-book publisher Marvel Entertainment Group Inc.

He was "the paragon of bankruptcy lawyers," said Ira Millstein, a senior Weil partner and close friend who ran the firm for years with partners including Mr. Miller. He called Mr. Miller a "scholar" who could cite complex legal precedents on demand and enjoyed a stellar reputation among bankruptcy judges that attracted clients.

Write to Matt Jarzemsky at [e-mail] and Mike Spector at [e-mail]

Access Investor Kit for Chevron Corp.

Visit http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=US1667641005

Access Investor Kit for The Walt Disney Co.

Visit http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=US2546871060

Access Investor Kit for General Motors Co.

Visit http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=US37045V1008

Access Investor Kit for Macy's, Inc.

Visit http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=US55616P1049

Access Investor Kit for United Continental Holdings, Inc.

Visit http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=US9100471096

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires