James Leader

James Lewis Leader passed away peacefully at age 67, on Monday evening, the 6th of August 2012, in Houston, Texas, as the result of complications following a stroke.
Jim was born on the 29th of March 1945, in Chicago, Illinois to Cecil White and Abel J. Leader, M.D. After a brief time in New York, the Leaders moved to Houston, where Jim attended St. John's School with the class of 1962 and was proud to send his four children from 1976 to 2008. Jim was graduated with honors from Phillips Exeter Academy, a school that he loved and fondly remembered. He was graduated cum laude in 1966 from Harvard College and was a member of the Hasty Pudding Club and the Fox Club. In 1969 he was graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Law Review, a member of Chancellors, and the Order of the Coif. From 1969 to 1970, Jim clerked for Judge Robert Andrew Ainsworth, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. He began practicing law in September 1970 with Baker Botts L.L.P., where he was named partner less than six years later, the shortest period of time from new associate to partner in the firm's history.
Jim's colleagues have remembered him as an extraordinary lawyer who was widely respected for his mastery of complex corporate law and securities regulations and as a trusted advisor to clients in their strategic activities. He was lead corporate lawyer on many major transactions, financings, and settlements, coordinating the work of numerous other corporate and trial lawyers. As a testament to his skills and at the request of his partners, Jim served as the long-time editor of his firm's manual on closing opinions in corporate transactions. He remained in the corporate department at Baker Botts until his retirement in 2007.
Jim was happiest when grappling with the intricacies of the law, cooking gourmet and ethnic dishes, working in his garden, following local sports, and was especially proud to attend the first game of the 2005 World Series. He had a large music collection and enjoyed family vacations in Hawaii, poker nights, Christmas, and other celebrations with his family and friends. Known for his quick wit, Jim will be especially remembered for his brilliance, charm, humor, and loyalty; he will be greatly missed.
Jim is survived by his wife, Rita J. Leader; by his loving daughters Anne Conyers Leader Guether of Atlanta and Jennifer Barrett Leader LaBombard of Brooklyn; his devoted sons James Lewis Leader, Jr. of Houston and John Patterson Leader of Washington D.C.; and his beloved grandson Owen James LaBombard; his brother, Lindon Gray Leader and wife Mary Bransford Leader of Park City, Utah and their daughters Anne Wallace Braveman of Los Angeles and Elizabeth White Leader of Washington D.C., also Jim's goddaughter; his sons-in-law Richard Charles Guether, Jr. and Brian Eugene LaBombard; and the mother of his daughters, Kate Sayen Kirkland.
A memorial service is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 10th of August, in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street in Houston, where Dr. Bill Heston, Executive Pastor, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Fellowship Hall.
For those desiring, in lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Jim's memory may be directed to St. John's School, 2401 Claremont, Houston, TX, 77019; or the Phillips Exeter Academy, 20 Main Street, Exeter, NH, 03833, reflecting his lifelong love of learning and commitment to education.
O blest communion, fellowship divine. We feebly struggle, James Lewis Leader in glory shines; yet all are one in Thee for all are Thine. Alleulia. Alleluia.