Paul Leo McSorley, 81, longtime lawyer

Paul Leo McSorley, 81, a longtime Philadelphia lawyer who served in various city posts under Democratic Mayor James H.J. Tate, died of pulmonary hypertension Sunday, Oct. 3, at his retirement home in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The 13th of 15 children, Mr. McSorley was born in Philadelphia and graduated from West Catholic High School in 1947, St. Joseph's College in 1951, and the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1954.

He began his career in 1954 by joining the Marines, who assigned him to be a legal assistant to the top brass at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

After his discharge, he joined his father in the family law firm, McSorley, Purcell & McSorley, in 1958. He maintained a practice in Philadelphia until his retirement in 1996.

In 1963, Mr. McSorley drew public notice when he appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court a ruling that only one $500 fee could be paid to court-appointed attorneys who defended indigent clients in more than one trial.

The case involved In-Ho Oh, a Korean student at Penn who was fatally beaten by a gang in 1958. Mr. McSorley represented defendant Harold Johnson, 21. In the first trial in 1959, Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder, but Mr. McSorley appealed. At a second trial, Johnson pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served.

When Mr. McSorley sought another $500 fee for work done on the second trial, the municipal court denied it, prompting him to appeal. Later, the state's Supreme Court turned down his appeal.

In 1971, Johnson sought out Mr. McSorley at his City Hall office.

"He thanked me for the representation, and the chance to live a nearly normal life," Mr. McSorley wrote in his family memoir.

He served at various times in salaried, appointed positions for the city. He was jury commissioner, deputy city solicitor for housing and real estate, and a member of the Licenses and Inspections Review Board.

In 1966, he challenged the GOP's Thomas J. Gola for the 170th District state House seat and made headlines when he complained to the Federal Communications Commission that WCAU-TV would not give him the two free 16-second spots it had given Gola.

The FCC ruled in Mr. McSorley's favor, and he got the free TV announcements but lost the election.

A reader, piano player, writer, marathon runner, and Irish storyteller, Mr. McSorley also served as mentor to younger relatives in the legal profession.

In retirement, he moved to Florida, where he led a busy life as a church member, painter, and online columnist.

Mr. McSorley is survived by his second wife, June, whom he met when he bought the duplex where she lived. He met his first wife, Katherine, in a Center City elevator in 1952.

Also surviving are sons William, Thomas, Andrew, Paul Jr., and Daniel; daughters Suzanne and Mary; stepsons Joseph Golden and Michael Golden; stepdaughter Tracy Berger; three sisters; and 21 grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Oct. 9, in St. Petersburg. Another service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at St. David the King Church, 1 New Village Rd., Princeton Junction, N.J.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 4545 Chancellor St. N.E., St. Petersburg, Fla. 33703.