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Retired Judge Lawrence W. Crispo, 90, Dies
Was Known for Kind-Heartedness, Humor, and Love of Law, Family, People
By a MetNews staff writer
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LAWRENCE W. CRISPO 1934-2024 |
Retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lawrence W. Crispo—known for his sociability and positive outlook, as well as his penchant for singing—has died at age 90, succumbing Sunday morning after a brief illness.
Crispo refrained from criticizing others except in the context of banter with friends, hurling good-natured, humorous gibes—accepting retorts in stride, sometimes commenting, “touché!” He was known for his quick wit.
Attorney Thomas Cacciatore succinctly summed up Crispo’s benign nature by recalling him as “a very nice man.”
Dinah Crispo, his wife of 32 years, remarked Sunday:
“I can say he loved life, loved the law and his family. Being involved with the Italian-American Bar was his favorite and he thoroughly enjoyed the years of his association.”
IALA Presidency
Crispo was president of the Italian American Lawyers Association (“IALA”) in 1984. He regularly attended the monthly meetings until moving with his wife, a few years ago, to Orange County.
He was also a president of the Wilshire Bar Association and the Loyola Law School Alumni Board of Governors, and, from 1990-93, was a member of the State Bar Board of Governors, becoming a vice president in his third year. With his appointment to the Superior Court nearing, Crispo opted not to seek election by the board as president.
Then-Gov. Pete Wilson placed him on the bench in 1994. Crispo was, at the time, a partner and shareholder in the firm that had become known as Breidenbach, Swainston, Crispo & Way, which he joined in 1967 after serving as a deputy Los Angeles city attorney (1961-62), an associate in Gilbert, Thompson & Kelly (1962-64), and as a sole practitioner and of counsel to Gilbert, Thompson & Kelly (1964-67).
He retired from the court in 2004, becoming a private judge with various service providers.
Crispo portrayed a judge in eight episodes of “The Law Firm,” a reality show that debuted on NBC on July 28, 2005.
‘Charismatic Singing Judge’
Lydia Liberio is an administrative law judge with the California Department of Social Services and a past president of the IALA. She said:
“Judge Crispo was our charismatic singing judge at our IALA holiday board Christmas party for years. He was an inspiring past IALA president with words of wisdom during my leadership year, and an amazing judicial mentor to many, including me, as the first L.A.S.C. judge I ever met, who modelled compassion on the bench and community civic engagement at all times.”
Another past IALA president, R. David DiJulio, sees Crispo’s death as “[a] great loss to the legal world and the Italian community.”
As a judge, Crispo had a sign posted on the bench with a one-word reminder: “CIVILITY.” IALA past President Steve Mesi, a retired deputy attorney general, commented:
“This really hurts! I loved Larry Crispo. He was my hero, my mentor, and my friend. Beloved by all, he was the true embodiment of joie de vivre: willing to break into song without much encouragement and always sporting a unique, spiffy wardrobe.
“We can, I believe, best honor Larry’s memory by practicing the kindness and civility he constantly preached from the bench.”
Douglas J. Collodel, a certified appellate specialist and an IALA past president, reflected:
“I recall fondly all my interactions with Larry. He was a great lawyer, wonderful judge and mediator, and above all a kind and welcoming person. He will be sorely missed at IALA meetings...ever the one to share his vocal chords and musings, especially during Garlic and Gaelic night.”
Past Presidents Claire Ambrosio and Jim Michalski said: “Larry was a kind hearted, intelligent man.”
Coalition for Justice
Attorney Brent Braun had this to say:
“I was fortunate to serve with Larry as presidents of the Coalition for Justice, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a fully funded and independent judiciary.
“Larry brought keen insights and a wonderful sense of humor to the table and he was always dedicated to doing the right thing. He had a sign on his bench saying simply “Civility” as a reminder to all those appearing before him of their personal obligations as lawyers and civilians. That sign would be a good thing for all judges to replicate.
“Larry was also a talented opera singer bringing happiness, harmony and good cheer to those around him.
“Larry was a wonderful dedicated public servant setting a high bar for others to strive towards.
“Larry’s passing is a loss to the judiciary and the legal profession.”
Pellman Comments
Former Los Angeles County Counsel Lloyd Pellman, now a partner in Nossaman LLP, related:
“Larry and I lived in the same neighborhood in Pasadena at one time, with Larry having moved there before we did. I was a volunteer at our local polling place supervised by an elderly retired County Flood Control employee. While not near the entrance I could hear his familiar voice in an argument with the elderly supervisor of the polling place. Larry’s name did appear on the voting roll and he was being denied a ballot. I intervened and revealed that Larry was a judge and a resident of the precinct. I convinced the supervisor to give Larry a provisional ballot, and Larry voted.
“The next week I received an envelope at my office that contained a note that bore the imprint ‘From the Desk of Judge Lawrence Crispo’; the handwritten note said ‘thanks for protecting my Constitutional right to vote, Larry.’ Typical of his sense of humor as well as collegiality.”
Former Extern
David Graeler, managing partner of Nossaman LLP, yesterday reminisced:
“I first met Judge Crispo over 25 years ago when he was still on the bench. I was a judicial extern of his at the time and worked closely with him. He was an excellent teacher and involved us in most of his decisions involving his morning calendar, and I also watched him handle at least one trial. The experience proved very valuable for my eventual career in litigation.
“A few years later after I had become a lawyer, I had a matter before Judge Crispo that would eventually go to trial. It was during that matter that I met my now wife, who was then an extern for Judge Crispo. Judge Crispo got a real kick out of the fact that he didn’t know we were dating until much later, and that he thought I was just visiting his courtroom more frequently to see him! It was his clerk, Cher Mason, who finally clued him in.
“Judge Crispo would later officiate our wedding near Yosemite and became a long-time friend family friend. We used to meet for lunch or dinner periodically where it wasn’t uncommon for him to break out in song in the middle of the meal. He loved to sing! He kept in contact with many of his former externs and seemed to be very proud of the careers they developed. I think it was part of his dedication to service of individuals and the larger public.”
Argento’s Recollections
Retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Philip Argento recalled first meeting Crispo in 1977 at the home of criminal defense attorney Paul Caruso, at an event that led to the founding of the IALA. He said of Crispo:
“As I recall, he wore a light gray glen-plaid suit, tasteful tie, looking like what he was—a partner in a well-known civil litigation firm. He was instantly gracious, smart, and fun.
“On Feb., 10, 1982, Larry was my boss. In mid-afternoon, I told him that I’d just been appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the Pasadena Municipal Court, and that I needed to get to the Registrar of Voters Office to file a declaration of intent to run in the primary. This was the last day to file; my car was in a repair shop.
“Larry asked if I knew where the registrar was. I said Chinatown. We drove there; the office had moved. Using a phonebook in a phone booth, I found the new address in the City of Commerce. Though crawling along rainy L.A. freeways, we did arrive with not much time to file. Larry and I had a brief argument about how you spell “municipal.” He said he’d served in the L.A. City Attorney’s office. “I know how to spell ‘municipal.’ ” I somehow thought there was an “n” after the first “i”—“munincipal.” I deferred to Larry, thus avoiding a charge from opponents that I didn’t even know how to spell the job I was seeking: “municipal court judge.” Thank you, Larry.”
“In 1997, Larry told this story with gusto at a roast at which I was honored as Pasadena judge of the year. Larry, like so many terrific trial lawyers, was an excellent storyteller. His version, like his spelling, was much better than mine.”
Opposing Counsel
Attorney Anthony de Los Reyes had served as Crispo’s opposing counsel. He said:
“A kinder, more honorable adversary one could never meet.
“Larry was a very fine judge.”
Mediator/arbitrator Patrick M. Kelly, a past president of the State Bar, hailed Crispo as “a great judge and a wonderful man,” adding:
“He was also a devoted bar leader and family man.”
‘Very, Very’
Something Crispo had in common with Jack Benny was his frequent use of the words, “very, very”—the late comedian thanking his audiences “very, very much” for their applause and Crispo praising someone in such ways as calling the person a “very, very super guy” or a “very, very good lawyer.”
A comment often uttered by Crispo was, “I’m proud of you.” He tended to provide encouragement.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Judith Meyer recounted that Crispo was “the first judge to give me support and encouragement to seek the bench.”
Gary Greene, founder and conductor of the Los Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic and Legal Voices, said Crispo “personally gave me a lot of encouragement in bringing lawyers and judges together in a musical setting.”
He noted that Crispo “sang with us as a member of Legal Voices” and termed him “one of the kindest and most thoughtful people” he had known, “with a wonderful sense of humor.”
Crispo, who was previously married, is survived by six children—Susan Coltrara (Michael), Patricia Old (Thomas), Christopher Crispo (Audrey Bush Crispo), Therese Thomas (Jim Thomas), Marianne Hendrix (Doug) and Thomas Crispo (Teresa)—a sister, Ann Primising. and two brothers, Bill Vallicella and Philip Vallicella. His 10 surviving grandchildren are Michael Old, Travis Nelson, Ryan Nelson, Amanda Nelson, Brittney Martinez, Daniel Bush Crispo, Caroline Bush Crispo, Thomas Crispo Jr., Jacob Crispo, Caitlin Crispo, and there are four grandchildren: Charlee Old, Felix Nelson, Tegan Nelson and Madelyn Tieken.
He Was ‘Daddy’
His eldest daughter, Susan Coltrara, commented:
“His children are very proud of all of his accomplishments in life but before he was a claims adjuster or lawyer or judge he was simply our Daddy. He had six children in 10years and our household was full of his love as he worked very hard to provide for us and showered us with his love. He taught us to be compassionate and to love the beauty of the world.
“He never knew a stranger and would say hello as he passed people on the sidewalk. He reached out to many, many people to make their lives better.
“He loved to sing and in the last days of his life his daughters were with him singing show tunes and praying with him. He has reunited with his pre-deceased loved ones in Heaven.
“Rest in Peace, Daddy. Love from your children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, sister and brothers.”
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Larry Crispo: a Friend, a Wonderful Man
By Lee Kanon Alpert
(The writer is a retired attorney. He is a past president of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association.)
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arry Crispo over the decades became a friend. Simple as that.
I first met Larry when introduced in the early ’70s to him by my torts professor, Fred Lower, who thought he saw something in me that Larry’s firm—for which Fred did some appellate work—could use. The firm was then Cummins, White, Bridenbach and Alphson. I met and interviewed with them and Larry was a part of that interview. I liked Larry from the start, as he was down to earth, nice and asked relevant questions. One of the others—well not so much.
It was suggested that I speak with an associate, who was leaving the firm, and moving into the DA’s Office, I believe. After talking with him in a candid manner, I decided not to further seek employment with the firm, for very personal reasons. To note, he had nothing but wonderful things to say about Larry Crispo.
I didn’t see or speak to Larry for many years to come until our firm was being sued for malpractice, for the very first time, because we booted a client, whom we found had significant personal issues, with the judge’s consent. Another attorney took her case and she lost badly and blamed us because we wouldn’t represent her. We made the right decision.
Larry Crispo was the attorney assigned to represent us. After he reviewed the case file, that I had been primarily responsible for in the firm, he called me. Much to my pleasant surprise, he said he had never seen a file as well documented, neither I or my firm had done anything wrong in his opinion, and in fact (because I had been practicing high end family law, at the time, and his firm didn’t), he would personally send me all of family law cases, that came his way and would have his firm do the same. He met that commitment and even better than that, did a brilliant job on the case for us and we won hands down.
From that time, we communicated often, saw each other from time to time. I supported, at his request, fully, his seeking his judgeship (as I was involved in State Bar activities at the time) and Larry became a judge, which he treasured.
The beauty of Larry Crispo was that he was a wonderful man, knew who and what he was, never sought to pretend to be or desired to be something he wasn’t, and was always truthful, caring, honest and loving to me, and later to Arlene [Alpert’s wife], when he first met her.
At many events, we would “hang” with Larry because we all wanted to. Didn’t matter who was there or what their position or station in life, he would hang with his friends. He was a real person.
Larry will be missed for his great sense of humor, his down-to-earth manner, his sometimes very long stories, his laugh and his physical presence. We were all better people if we were friends of Larry. He kept us real.
God bless Larry and his family and may they find peace for their loss. May Larry rest in peace and God have a special place for him in Heaven.
Copyright 2024, Metropolitan News Company