Eric Franklin Schell

1961 - 2024

Schell
Eric Franklin Schell
Dedicated attorney, loving husband, father, and grandfather
Eric Franklin Schell, 62, of Oakton VA, passed away on Friday, January 26, surrounded by his family. A life-long trial attorney and devoted husband, father, son, brother, and grandfather, Eric will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to helping others, his good humor, and his decency in abundance.
Eric was born on February 21, 1961, in Charlotte NC. He lived most of his life enjoying the trees, stars, and tranquility of his Oakton home that he shared with Beth, his beloved wife of forty-four years, more commonly referred to as "Sweet Beth," and their three boys. Second only to his profound love of family was his love for his dog, "Sophie girl," and his passion for fishing on and off the coast of NC with his handpicked band of brothers.
After Eric received his Bachelor of Arts at Wake Forest University in 1985, he earned his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1988. After being admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1988, Eric began his legal career at The Duff Law Firm where he laid the foundation for his career as a litigator. Several years later, Eric embarked as a sole practitioner, determined to narrow his focus to the most important priorities in life: Sweet Beth, his growing family, and the practice of law.
As a sole practitioner, Eric cultivated a diverse civil litigation practice with a specialty in Commercial Leasing and Landlord-Tenant Law, Creditor's Rights, and Commercial Litigation. Eric was admitted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in 1988, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in 1989, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit in 1988, and the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993. As if Virginia courts were not enough, Eric also found himself representing clients and trying cases in Georgia, New York, Washington D.C., and Maryland.
Outside of his practice, Eric was actively involved with the Bar Association and educational opportunities for aspiring trial attorneys. He served on the 5th District Disciplinary Committee of the Virginia State Bar from 1994-2000, where he held the positions of Secretary and Chairman. From 2000-2004, he served as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Lawyer Discipline (COLD). Eric was also an active member of the Fairfax County Bar Association, where he served as a Fairfax County Circuit Court appointed Neutral Case Evaluator, a Conciliator, a member of the Judicial Screening Committee, and a lecturer at Bench-Bar conferences. Eric always made the education and betterment of young lawyers a priority. He served as a barrister for the George Mason American Inn of Court and served as a faulty member of the National Institutes for Trial Advocacy at Georgetown Law Center.
Eric is survived by his beloved wife Beth and their sons Brandon, Alex, and Evan Schell. Eric is also survived by his mother Sarah Henkel Schell, sisters Martha Purser and Melinda Schell, and was predeceased by his father, Franklin Lonnie Schell, who passed in 1981. Eric was completely enamored with his grandchildren Ruby and Aurelia Schell, to whom he was affectionately known as "Pops." A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on February 11, 2024, at National Funeral Home, located at 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042. Reception to follow.
The Schell family asks, in lieu of flowers, that any donations be made to Melanoma research to help search for a cure: https://give.curemelanoma.org/give/296895/#!/donation/checkout.