TLPJ Foundation Board Member James B. Browne of Jones, Oklahoma, passed away on July 10, 2002. Mr. Browne, 66, a highly accomplished trial lawyer, had suffered from complications of diabetes and a head injury from a recent fall. A memorial service was held on Friday, July 26, at 11:00 am at the East Campus of Life Covenant Church, 4500 East 2nd Street, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034, tel. (405) 680-5433. 

“Jim was an exceptional trial advocate who dedicated his career to the fight for justice,” said TLPJ Foundation President Susan Vogel Saladoff of Davis, Gilstrap, Hearn, Saladoff & Smith P.C. in Ashland, Oregon. “His involvement with Trial Lawyers for Public Justice reflected his concern for the public interest. We will all miss our dear friend and colleague.”

“Jim was a warm and generous person, and a talented lawyer,” said TLPJ Executive Director Arthur H. Bryant. “His death is a loss to the cause of public justice.” 

James Broach Browne was born on October 4, 1935, to Walter and Willie Meyers Broach of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Browne received his B.A. from the University of Tulsa in 1956 and his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1959. He served as a county and district attorney for Payne County, Oklahoma, before founding the law firm Browne & Associates in Jones, Oklahoma, which concentrated its practice in cases involving personal injury, and toxic and environmental torts.

In addition to his trial practice, Mr. Browne has been active in a number of state and national professional organizations. Mr. Browne served on the Board of Directors of The TLPJ Foundation since 1988. He was a former member of the Board of Governors of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), a former Co-Chair of ATLA’s Ethics Committee, and a former Chair of ATLA’s Section on Toxic, Environmental, and Pharmaceutical Torts. Browne once served as President of the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association, and was once the dean of the Oklahoma College of Advocacy.

Browne is survived by his wife, Robyn Browne; his sons, Allen Browne, Christopher Browne, and Vincent B. Browne, of Harrington, Thompson, Acker & Harrington, Ltd., of Chicago; and his brothers, Henry and Walter. The family asks that donations be sent in lieu of flowers to The TLPJ Foundation, 1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036, tel. (202) 797-8600.