Robert Bruce McLean

1946 - 2024

Robert Bruce McLean, Washington, DC and Vero Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. Bruce was a devoted husband to his wife, Rachel Adams McLean, and a loving father to his children Max, Emily, and Chris. Bruce was loved by his family and his many friends and colleagues.

Born in New York City, NY in 1946, Bruce graduated from Garden City High School in 1964. He graduated from Indiana University in 1968 and received his J.D., Order of the Coif, from Indiana University School of Law in 1971.

Bruce joined the law firm of Akin Gump in 1973, after serving for two years as a lawyer with the appellate court branch of the National Labor Relations Board. While at Akin, Bruce handled some of the largest cases ever litigated between American businesses and the federal government. He served as Akin's litigation practice head for 12 years before being elected Chairman in 1993. During his tenure as Chairman, Bruce led Akin through a period of remarkable growth. Throughout his life, he was an advocate for law firm inclusiveness and established forward-looking policies to ensure Akin was a welcome environment for all exceptional lawyers.

Beyond his work at Akin, Bruce was actively involved in the Washington, DC community, serving on the boards of the Federal City and Neighborhood Legal Services Program. He was also a member of the board of visitors at Georgetown University Law Center and Indiana University School of Law, the former of which honored him with its inaugural Dean's Award for Distinguished Service. In addition, he served as Chaiman of the Board of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory near his home in Crested Butte, Colorado.

Bruce was an elite athlete, having completed many marathons, triathlons, and long-distance cycling races. He greatly enjoyed skiing, boating, scuba diving, golfing, and of course happy hour and dinner with his dear friends and family.

Surviving are his wife, Rachel Adams McLean; son Max McLean; daughter Emily Booth and her husband Charlie Booth; son Chris McLean and his wife Lisa McLean; and his six grandchildren Emma, Zoe, and Winnie Booth, and Maddie, Webb, and Phebe McLean. The family will host a celebration of his life at Congressional Country Club, 8500 River Rd. Bethesda, MD on Friday, September 13, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, the Gunnison National Forest, or the Neighborhood Legal Services Program in Washington, DC in his memory.