Lawyer killed in Cobble Hill lightning strike specialized in antitrust

August 1, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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Richard Schwartz, 61, who was killed Thursday night after lighting struck the steeple of Christ Church-Cobble Hill as he was walking nearby during a thunderstorm, was an assistant state attorney general who specialized in antitrust litigation under six attorneys general, according to the New York Law Journal.

As the Eagle has reported, the lightning apparently knocked loose masonry blocks from the church, bringing down scaffolding that had been installed so the church could evaluate damage from a previous lightning strike.

Schwartz remained buried under the scaffolding until an EMS crew arrived, and apparently was talking before he finally lost consciousness and was declared dead.

Schwartz was an assistant state attorney general for more than 25 years, according to the Law Journal. Among the high-profile cases he worked on were actions against Microsoft, Intel, Samsung and others.

Earlier this month, the Law Journal reported, New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a multi-state $571 million settlement in a case handled for New York by Schwartz in which three manufacturers were accused of fixing the prices of LCD displays.

Schwartz, a Columbia Law School graduate, was admitted in 1982. He also handled Schneiderman’s inquiry last year into whether the National Football League’s violated antitrust statutes.

Said Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a statement:

“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I would like to express my sympathy to the loved ones of Assistant Attorney General Richard Schwartz, who tragically lost his life during last night’s severe storm. Richard was a dedicated public servant and attorney who served the State of New York in the Office of the Attorney General for over 25 years. His commitment to placing the needs of New Yorkers above all else will be remembered and cherished. His work ethic and his passion were an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.”