Joseph Lyon Brand

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Joseph Lyon Brand, 86, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 at his residence in Charlottesville, Virginia. A life-long foreign affairs lawyer committed to charitable work at home and overseas, Joe Brand was filled with tireless energy until the end and will be remembered for his sharp intellect, unwavering spirit and booming laugh.

Joe, affectionately called "Papa" by his grandchildren, was born on Aug. 11, 1936 in Urbana, Ohio and lived most of his life in Washington, D.C. down the street from Dumbarton Oaks and Montrose Park in Georgetown.

After receiving his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Michigan in 1958, and his Master of Arts from Ohio State University a year later, Joe Brand enrolled at the George Washington University Law School and graduated with honors in 1963. Only a few years after being admitted to the Ohio and D.C. bars, Joe joined a small group of attorneys at an upstart law firm in the nation's capital and quickly became a named partner at Patton, Blow, Verrill, Brand, and Boggs LLP.

With Joe's help, the firm grew exponentially and soon transformed into the internationally-renowned, lobbying powerhouse Patton Boggs LLP. As a mainstay in the D.C. office, Joe's practice was his life's work. The impact of his accomplishments representing multinational enterprises, foreign sovereigns, and an array of pro bono clients will be felt for generations to come and is second only to the love and influence he had on his family. Although he attempted to retire in 2018, his life's calling pulled him back and he spent his final years as a Senior Partner at Squire Patton Boggs LLP where his fellow attorneys knew him as a mentor, colleague, and friend.

As an attorney, Joe cultivated a vibrant and diverse pro bono practice with a focus on international justice. He founded, led and associated with a number of charitable organizations, including as Trustee Emeritus of the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation, Chairman of the Board for the Center for Justice and Accountability, co-founder of Pretrial Rights International, Director of Human Rights First, and governor of the Middle East Institute. Joe also served as Chairman of the National Kidney Foundation and Chairman of Legalink, an international legal network of 68 law firms that gives businesses all over the world access to high-level legal services.

Outside of his practice, Joe was actively involved in international legal matters and education. He taught the core curriculum course in comparative law at his alma mater, George Washington University Law School, for more than 10 years, served as vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of the George Washington University and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. In his personal life, Joe was an avid reader, lover of the opera, world traveler, museum goer, and art and food connoisseur.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife Annelise and his daughters Elizabeth Schell and Stephanie Prescott, as well as Kirsten Goff, Michael Plehn, and Mia Plehn. Joe is also survived by his brother, Vance Brand, and was pre-deceased by his sisters, Louise Brand Reed, who passed in 2018, and Dixie Brand Hatch, who passed in 1975. Joe was proud of his many grandchildren: Brandon, Alex and Evan Schell; Melanie, Bradford, Vance, Ryan, and Colton Prescott; Elliott and Talia Plehn; Graham and Rory Goff; and Evie Plehn. He was particularly enamored with his great-grandchildren Ruby and Aurelia Schell, and Lilly and Bridger Ranson. Joe's love for his family was rivaled only by the love he held for his Goldendoodle, Jaybee, who enjoyed extensive walks along the lantern-lit, cobblestone streets of Georgetown almost as much as Joe.

A memorial service will be held at the George Washington University in the Jack Morton Auditorium, Media and Public Affairs Building, at 3 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2023. The Media and Public Affairs Building is located at 805 21st st. NW, Washington D.C. 20052 and a reception will follow the service at 4 p.m. In keeping with Joe's charitable spirit, the family is requesting that any donations be made to the Joe Brand Human Rights Fellowship Fund c/o Squire Patton Boggs Foundation, attn: Robert Anderson, Treasurer, 2550 M Street NW, Washington D.C. 20037.