I. Steven Levy, 54, lawyer

Irving Steven Levy, 54, of Roxborough, a lawyer with White & Williams L.L.P., died of pancreatic cancer Saturday, Jan. 7, at Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse.

Mr. Levy joined White & Williams in 1984 and had been a partner since 1990. A litigator, his clients included product and chemical manufacturers, construction companies, pharmaceutical firms, hospitals, and health-care providers.

"Steve was an extremely intelligent and gifted trial lawyer who loved to tackle complex issues, particularly complex issues of science, and devise creative ways to explain them to judges and juries," said John Balaguer, managing partner in the White & Williams office in Wilmington.

"Steve's knowledge, skill, and courtroom success attracted many large and sophisticated clients to the firm," said Balaguer, who worked with Mr. Levy for four years in Philadelphia and continued to be a close friend for 22 years after moving to the Wilmington practice.

"Like many good trial lawyers, Steve was also a great teacher, and he mentored scores of younger White & Williams lawyers over the years who benefited greatly from his wisdom and guidance," Balaguer said.

In 2009 and 2010, Mr. Levy received Adopt-A-Shelter Coordinator's Awards from the Homeless Advocacy Project for providing free legal services to homeless men, women, and children in Philadelphia.

A native of Lancaster, Mr. Levy earned a bachelor's degree from George Washington University in 1979 and a law degree from Temple University in 1982.

He then was a lawyer with the Department of Labor in Washington before joining White & Williams.

He and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Dixon Levy, enjoyed traveling, hiking, and visiting national parks. He was a "huge fan" of Philadelphia sports teams, she said.

Found to have pancreatic cancer three years ago, he defied doctors' predictions for survival, his wife said, and was still working until last month. "He fought to live for his kids and me," she said.

The last three years, he and his wife had organized a team to participate in PurpleStride Philadelphia, a 5K walk to benefit pancreatic cancer research. Their team raised $45,000.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Levy is survived by a daughter, Molly; a son, Maxwell; his father, Searle "Sy"; and a brother, Seth.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 N. Broad St.

Donations may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, Calif. 90266.