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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF JOHN FREEMAN, FORMER UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA LAW PROFESSOR AND SCHOLAR OF LEGAL ETHICS, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of John Freeman, former University of South Carolina law professor and scholar of legal ethics, on October 21, 2021, at the age of seventy-six; and
Whereas, John Freeman's influence in the field of ethics went far beyond the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he taught for more than thirty years; and
Whereas, he was born April 7, 1945, in Canton, Illinois, and was raised in the Illinois cities of Wheaton and Naperville. In 1963, he enrolled in Notre Dame University, where he graduated with both his bachelor's degree and law degree -- a distinction known as a "double domer." After graduation, he practiced law in Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1973 joined UofSC's law school, where he taught legal ethics, as well as corporate and securities law, until 2008. Four times, his students voted him Outstanding Faculty Member; and
Whereas, former South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal had these words of praise for him: "John was a brilliant investigator of all matters to do with lawyer ethics, securities violations, and lawyer malpractice. He was very much a go-to advisor of many in the legal and in the business community. It's a big loss for the law school and the legal profession"; and
Whereas, after retiring, John Freeman moved out west to be closer to family but never forgot his time in the Palmetto State. His daughter Nora attests that his heart was in South Carolina but that his impact far transcended the state's borders; and
Whereas, he was lawyer, mentor, and teacher. Though he retired in 2008, he always was willing to assist lawyers or academics with their questions on ethics and law. Indeed, until the week of his death, he took calls from numerous lawyers with questions about ethics and unfailingly provided answers; and
Whereas, further, his legacy extended beyond his work. His daughter Gretchen notes that in spite of the demands of an illustrious career with a national impact, he was a fully engaged family man. His daughters are now renowned attorneys in their own right; and
Whereas, while himself a giant, John didn't hesitate to take on other giants. In the 1990s, he took on the tobacco industry and fought to lower investing fees, which saved retirees and investors billions. That sort of experience translated into his law lessons. When students learned corporate law from John Freeman, they learned as much about suing a corporation as about creating one; and
Whereas, John Freeman, whose superlative intellect and life's work were anything but standard, leaves behind a gaping hole in academia and a grateful world of friends, colleagues, and many others who benefited from the fruits of his lifelong scholarship. He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Nancy Krupnick Freeman; his two daughters, Gretchen Freeman Cappio (Adam Bruce Cappio) and Nora Freeman Engstrom (David Freeman Engstrom); and his four grandchildren, Beatrice and Julia Cappio and Connor and Elliot Engstrom. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of John Freeman, former University of South Carolina law professor and scholar of legal ethics, celebrate his life, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Nancy Krupnick Freeman.
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