ROSCOE TRIMMIER

1944 - 2015

TRIMMIER, Roscoe, Jr. 71, Pioneering Ropes and Gray Attorney of Miami, Florida, formerly of Brookline, died July 30, 2015 following a brief illness. Dear father of Leigh Merritt and beloved grandfather "Pops" of Peyton Merritt. He is also survived by his devoted companion, Donna Zerwitz, his mother, Susie Trimmier; brother, Donald and sister-in-law Linda Trimmier, son-in-law Ishmail Merritt and former wife, Gail Snowden. He was born July 22, 1944 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Susie and Roscoe Trimmier, Sr. Trimmier attended segregated schools in Charlotte where he was an outstanding student, receiving the All Star Scholars Award from West Charlotte High School. With the encouragement of a mentor, he applied to Harvard University in Cambridge, MA which accepted him into Harvard College (class of 1966). Donald shared that "Roscoe was the best brother anyone could have, and when we were growing up, he impressed upon me the importance of education. I could go to him for help with anything, homework, and personal advice." Following his U. S. Army service as a Lieutenant from 1965-68, he returned to Cambridge to complete Harvard College and attend Harvard Law School, from which he graduated in 1974. During his final year of law school, he and his wife were delighted to welcome a beautiful daughter, Leigh Snowden Trimmier. Leigh said "My father is my hero and I am so grateful that he taught me the value of education, professionalism, high standards, hard work, dedication and sacrifice to achieve your goals." In 1974, Trimmier was hired by Ropes & Gray LLP in Boston, MA and rose through the ranks to become the first African-American partner at the firm in 1983. The historic significance of shattering racial barriers in a period when there were few African-American partners at Boston law firms was clear. Spending his entire distinguished career at the firm, Trimmier served as Chair of the firm's Litigation Department, the head of the Environmental Practice Group, and as a member of the Hiring Committee and the Associates Committee. He was an accomplished trial lawyer involved in a variety of litigation matters for corporate clients, utilities, high-technology entities, and governmental authorities in state and federal courts. He was at outstanding leader at the firm, retiring in 2009. Trimmier has received several awards: The Best Lawyers in America, Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers. Trimmier was Chair of the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary, Vice Chair of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine, and a member of: the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, American College of Trial Lawyers, Boston Bar Association as well as an Overseer of the N.E. Medical Center Hospitals. There will be private Burial Services at Forest Hills Cemetery and a Memorial Service will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Roscoe Trimmier Fund at the Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116. www.tbf.org. Arrangements Davis Funeral Home of BOSTON. To post a sympathy message visit

www.davisofboston.com.