FRANCIS COSMO JOSEPH PIZZULLI

May 16, 1950 - December 2, 2021 Intellectual giant, noted lawyer, Supreme Court legislator, compassionate friend and family member, provides insight into the life and work of Francis Cosmo Joseph Pizzulli.

In his early years and throughout his professional practice, Francis had a remarkable moral compass. After completing his undergraduate work at UC Santa Barbara as a physics major with high honors and graduate work at the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, awarded "Order of the Coif", Francis's work focused on research of bioethics issues and the impact of emerging technologies, genetics and cloning.

A research fellow at the prestigious Institute of Society, Ethics and the Life Sciences, Hastings Center, a leading think tank in New York , Francis's focus continued on bioethics issues. His published works and law review articles, set the foundation for debate about reproductive technologies, genetics and cloning for decades. Francis was a frequent commentator on local, national and world news channels, and academic institutions.

His entrance into a private practice of law, Francis remained a leader in applying ethics and humanism within emerging technologies. Notable activities include special consultant to a National Commission on the Protection of Human Subjects., founder and Chair for the Biological and Behavioral Technology Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association in 1978.

Long before issues were discussed by policymakers and the public, Francis was engaged in humanitarian rights. In 2013, his amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court helped abolish gene patents and increased access to and research on important genetic tests and treatments.

Francis's published works include;

"A Constitution Analysis of Human Cloning and Genetic Engineering" in Biological and Behavioral Technologies and the Law (CBS, Inc.) (ed. M. Shapero, 1982)

"Psychosurgery: The Legislature, the Courts and the Constitution" in Psychosurgery Debate (W.H. Freeman) (ed. E. Valenstein, 1980)

"Asexual Reproduction and Genetic Engineering: A Constitutional Assessment of the Technology of Cloning" 47 S. Cal. L. Rev. 476-584 (1974)

As a lawyer, Francis compelling stories in legal and complaint documents he authored, case read like novels. He would take on cases with unfavorable odds. A sole practitioner suing corporations and billionaires on behalf of the little guy. David against Goliath.

In a landmark case, Khawar v. Globe International, Inc. (1998), Francis represented Khalid Khawar, a former Pakistani journalist who had become a farmer in Bakersfield, California. Mr. Khawar was at the Ambassador Hotel when Senator Robert F. Kennedy was shot. A book by a conspiracy theorist falsely implicated Mr. Khawar as the shooter and the Globe repeated the story. Francis against all odds, took Mr. Khawar's case against dozens of amicus briefs by lawyers representing major national media across the country. Ending at the U.S. Supreme court and Won. This case set a precedent that, while the First Amendment can protect media that libel public figures, the rule does not apply to libeling private citizens and celebrities.

In another major case, Francis litigated a music recording case against Warner Bros. Records for interference with a recording contract between record producer Creed Taylor and jazz artist George Benson. In another David v. Goliath outcome, Francis beat the record label and recovered over six million dollars in a jury verdict for Creed Taylor and George Benson.

In his private life, Francis's world revolved around his incredible daughters, Carolrose Pizzulli and Donatella Pizzulli. His love for them, beyond measure. He was the devoted son of the late Rosa and Dominick Pizzulli and a loving brother to Cosimo Pizzulli.

Francis Pizzulli's legacy of integrity, equity of justice, generosity of love for family and friends, a master in his professional work and unwavering loyalty is complete. He was loved and he will be missed.