Irving J. Helman

Of Chestnut Hill and Palm Beach, passed away on December 9, 2007 at the age of 90 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. A prominent and nationally known attorney, he practiced corporate and business law for 60 of his 90 years with Nutter McClennen and Fish Attorneys LLP (originally Warren and Brandeis firm) in Boston. Many of these years were spent as Managing Partner where he led the firm to new heights. He was a man who loved his work and who counseled his clients with loyalty and devotion. He served on the boards of many corporations always with distinction. He enjoyed mentoring young lawyers many of whom he prized as good friends who respected his opinions and continued to seek his advice. Mr Helman celebrated his 90th birthday in August at a memorable luncheon given in his honor by the present partners of Nutter McClennen and Fish. His children and grandchildren attended and he enjoyed being with many colleagues, family and friends. Mr. Helman attended Brookline Schools, graduating in 1935. He graduated Magna Cum Laude, a Sears prize winner from Harvard College in 1939. He went on to Harvard Law School, an outstanding scholar and graduated in 1942 number one in his class. While a third year law student he married Belle R. Crystal and they lived at Holden Green, Cambridge, where he promptly put her to work and where she discovered she was married to the conscientious Note Editor of the Harvard Law Review. Mr Helman served as law clerk to Judge Calvert Magruder in the First Circuit. He was asked to work in Washington DC as one of "the best and the brightest" group to help with the war effort. He held many important positions including General Counsel of the Office of Price Administration where he closed the agency for the country. During his years in Washington he had received a coveted invitation to serve as law clerk to Associate Justice Felix Frankfurter in the US Supreme Court. With a heavy heart he was forced to reply that he had a more pressing invitation from the U.S. Army and he hoped he would return and serve at a later date which he did. Mr. Helman served in the European Theatre for two and a half years. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and was airlifted to a hospital in Tidworth, England. He returned to Fort Devens on a hospital ship with a severe wound and was awarded the Purple Heart. After a short period he returned to Washington to serve as law clerk to Associate Justice Felix Frankfurter, a remarkable learning experience. Associate Justice Frankfurter told Mr. Helman that he had a brilliant legal mind and that he should teach. The Associate Justice arranged for positions at Oxford, the University of Chicago, etc. Aching to return home to Boston Mr. Helman chose to try private practice and he joined Nutter McCLennen and Fish, a decision he never regretted. He will be sadly missed by many. He was a member of the Harvard Club, Longwood Cricket Club, and the Massachusetts Bar Association and many others. He was confirmed at Temple Israel in Boston in 1933. He leaves his devoted wife of sixty five years, his two beloved Sons and daughters-in law James and Ellen, Mark and Kate, and his four cherished grandchildren Lauren, Julia, Jake and Timothy Helman. He was the father of the late Steven Helman. Services will be held on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. at Temple Israel, Riverway, and Longwood Ave., Boston. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday 6-8 p-m. and Thursday 6-8 p.m. at his late residence. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Massachusetts General Hospital Head & Neck Radiation/Oncologyin care of Dr. Britain Nicholson, 165 Cambridge Street, Boston MA 02114; or The Harvard Law School Class of 1942.