The Rochester legal community is grieving the loss of one of its most beloved trial lawyers, Paul K. Lange, Esq., who passed away on December 27, 2022, at the age of 87. Lange was born on June 26, 1935, in Glens Falls, New York. He attended Brown University (’57) and the University of Michigan Law School (’60) and moved to Rochester in the early 1960s to begin his legal career. He was a longtime resident of the City of Rochester and spent the last 40 years living in the Neighborhood of the Arts with his late wife, Dora Lange. Lange is survived by his children, Kyla Lange Hart, Erika Lange-Geyer and Jason Alexander Lange, his stepdaughters Linda Croson, Jennifer Croson and Amelia Costigan, their spouses, and nine grandchildren.
Stephen G. Schwarz, Esq., who joined the firm in 1984 and has served as its Managing Partner since 1995, said, “Paul was a partner and a mentor to me. He and Angelo built this firm into the ethical, compassionate, successful practice it is today. But beyond his enormous legal talent, Paul was a kind and generous soul who was always willing to help and teach younger lawyers. A true renaissance man, Paul had broad interests beyond the law in art, theatre and music. His smile and laugh could light up a room and that is what I’ll remember most.”
Faraci Lange partner John A. Falk, Esq. recalled Lange’s unique perspective on civil litigation and said he will miss his advice and mentorship, which was always available albeit sometimes in language better suited for a college philosophy course. “Paul was always a great person to discuss a case with because he was very pragmatic in the way he practiced law. He always added a useful perspective. However, I often walked away from such conversations knowing I needed to look up the definition of a word or the context of a phrase he used. I never stopped learning from him. The thought of Paul or the saying of his name brings and will always bring a smile to my face.”
Matthew F. Belanger, Esq., another of Lange’s longtime partners said, “Paul was a wonderful and inspiring man whose interests were unique and varied. His house was full of paintings he and Dora had collected over the years: they hung them floor to ceiling. There wasn’t an important piece of literature he had not read and he was prone to quoting Shakespeare at any moment. I will remember him outside of work in his uniform – black turtleneck, black jeans and black coat – full 1950’s beatnik, only much more stylish. Just a wonderful man whom I was privileged to know, to learn from and to call my friend.”