A. Fredric Leopold

LEOPOLD, A. Fredric A. Fredric Leopold, a prominent entertainment lawyer and former mayor of Beverly Hills, died January 1, 2008, at the age of 88. Leopold was founder of the law firm of Leopold, Petrich & Smith. He was described in a 1997 Los Angeles Times cover story as "the dean of the Hollywood script vetters". He was profiled in a 2001 Los Angeles times Calendar story headlined "He's the Insurance Policy", referring to his importance in obtaining coverage for productions and publications. He was a past president of the Los Angeles Copyright Society, which honored him with a "Lifetime Achievement" award. Active in politics, Leopold served as the twice mayor of Beverly Hills from 1967-1968 and 1971-1972, was a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1968, Treasurer of the Democratic State Committee and Vice Chairman of the Los Angeles County Council of Mayors. His name is memorialized on a mock law firm on "Main Street" in Disneyland as he represented Walt Disney during the development of the site. Leopold served as a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II, earning five battle stars. He volunteered for damage control/bomb disposal. He was a law review graduate of Columbia Law School, where he was named Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar after the Supreme Court Chief Justice. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Dartmouth College. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joan; sister, Muriel Freeman; his four children, Georgena Felicia, Dorian Dreyfuss, Fredric Leopold and Tess Leopold; stepson, Michael Wilmeth; and nine grandchildren. Funeral services will be held January 25th, at 11:00 a.m., at Hillside Memorial Park & Mortuary. Donations in his name may be made to the Los Angeles Opera, Community and Education Department, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.