Brian P. Sullivan, 60, respected economist, analyst
Brian P. Sullivan, senior economist for the Center for Forensic Economic Studies in Philadelphia and an analyst who could cut through complicated statistics to present a clear case for his clients, died of cancer Wednesday. He was 60 and lived in Lansdale.
Brian P. Sullivan, senior economist for the Center for Forensic Economic Studies in Philadelphia and an analyst who could cut through complicated statistics to present a clear case for his clients, died of cancer Wednesday. He was 60 and lived in Lansdale.
He consulted with lawyers across the nation on economic issues arising in litigation. He frequently testified in court as an expert witness.
In one case, he was testifying for the plaintiff in an employment suit against SEPTA when a lawyer for the transit authority asked him where he had gotten his information about SEPTA finances.
He replied that he got it from a pamphlet passed out on his commuter train. "You relied on a simple handout to commuters?" the lawyer demanded.
"Why, yes," Brian replied. "Would SEPTA deliberately deceive its passengers?"
In an election-law case in 1994, Brian used statistical analysis to show that voting fraud had occurred in a Pennsylvania state Senate race. His analysis was praised by U.S. District Judge Clarence Newcomer as "eloquent."
"His demeanor both inside and outside the courtroom was a model of modesty and good humor, yet he was known to be merciless when cross-examined by an opposing attorney," colleagues said.
Brian grew up in Avoca, Pa., and attended King's College in Wilkes-Barre. He earned his doctorate in microeconomic theory and econometrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He received University of North Carolina and National Defense Education Act fellowships and a Ford Foundation grant to study economic education at the University of Indiana.
He also served as an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Tex., as an economist with the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and as a senior economist at the American Petroleum Institute.
He also lectured on law and economics at Temple University's James E. Beasley School of Law.
He is survived by his wife, Lora; a son, Daniel, and a brother, Walter.
Services: 10 a.m. tomorrow at Corpus Christi Church, 900 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale.
A scholarship in his name has been established by the Center for Forensic Economic Studies at Temple's Beasley School of Law. For information on donations, contact the center at 215-546- 5600. *