John "Jack" V. O'Hara
John V. "Jack" O'Hara of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel died December 1 at the age of 48 after a fight with cancer.
O'Hara was a partner in Obermayer's business and finance department and a member of the health care practice group.
"In addition to his wealth of knowledge about the law, Jack had an extraordinary talent to move parties past obstacles to get their deals done," said Robert Whitelaw, managing partner at Obermayer, in a release from the firm. "Jack conducted himself in a quiet manner, but when it came to representing his clients, he was as staunch an advocate as you could hope for."
His peers describe O'Hara as a selfless, giving, thoughtful and low-key person, the law firm's statement said. O'Hara kept his clients' interests foremost in his mind, his firm said, and he made time to mentor young associates and earned the trust and respect of everyone he worked with.
"I have known Jack O'Hara since he was a summer intern at Dilworth and he joined me in coming to Obermayer. Over the last 25 years, I have had the privilege of watching Jack become a brilliant lawyer and an exceptional husband and father," said Thomas Leonard, chair of Obermayer's litigation department, in a release.
O'Hara received his bachelor's degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
After he graduated from law school, O'Hara joined Dilworth Paxson as an associate. In 1992, he joined Obermayer, where he spent the rest of career.
O'Hara is survived by his wife, Lisa; son, Ryan, 18; and daughters, Elaine, 15, and Mairead, 9.
Two viewings for O'Hara are scheduled at Danjolell Funeral Home in Broomall, Pa. The times are as follows: 7 to 9 p.m. today (start time may be moved to 5 p.m.); and 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday.
Funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John Neumann Catholic Church on Darby Road in Havertown, Pa.
Burial will be at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pa., following the service. •
