Charles Donelan, lawyer for Justice Department, founder of Boston firm

Charles Donelan argued before the US Supreme Court.

Charles Donelan, a former federal litigator who argued before the US Supreme Court and founded a Boston law firm, died Nov. 12 of complications of Parkinson's disease at his home in Little Compton, R.I. He was 77.

As a litigator in the US Justice Department in the 1960s, Mr. Donelan tried antitrust cases for the government. He later founded the Boston office of Day, Berry, & Howard (now Day Pitney LLP).

Throughout his career, Mr. Donelan fought tirelessly for his diverse clientele, according to his son Charles of Santa Barbara, Calif.

"He always took very seriously the notion that the system doesn't work unless everyone is fairly represented," his son said.

The younger Donelan said his father felt that everyone deserved a strong defense, and over the course of his career defended conscientious objectors to the Vietnam War and a group deemed "sexually dangerous" by the Commonwealth.

Mr. Donelan also was generous and exhibited humility and compassion, many who knew him said.

"He brought his humanity to everything he did," said Ann Palmieri, who worked with Mr. Donelan at Day Pitney. "He treated people with dignity and respect no matter who they were."

Mr. Donelan was born in Dedham and graduated from Dedham High School in 1949. In high school, he played football and ran track.

After graduating from Yale University in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in English, Mr. Donelan served in the Navy and was based in Key West, Fla., as an officer on submarines. He married his wife, Ann (Hanley), in 1957. She died in 2005.

Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Donelan earned his law degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and began working for the Justice Department under Robert F. Kennedy. He worked primarily on antitrust cases during his time there, and the field became his specialty. One of his most notable cases involved price fixing and Boston milk companies, said Nick Coch, who worked with Mr. Donelan on the case and remained his close friend.

"He was one of the great lawyers of our time," Coch said. "He was instrumental in that case."

In the mid-1960s, Mr. Donelan left the Justice Department and moved to Worcester, where he worked at Bowditch, Gowetz, & Lane (now Bowditch & Dewey). In 1980, Mr. Donelan argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of a group of theatrical agents over the percentage they could charge actors.

Mr. Donelan became a popular member of the Worcester community and was elected president of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce. He also became a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

In 1982, Mr. Donelan moved from Worcester to Chestnut Hill. He founded the Boston office of Day, Berry, & Howard, Connecticut's largest law firm. There, he created an international practice centered on the European reinsurance market and was honored several times by Lloyd's of London for his distinguished service on behalf of the European insurance community.

James Sicilian, cochairman of Day Pitney's executive committee, said Mr. Donelan was a meticulous lawyer, who was "very good in pursuing the legal position of his clients."

Sicilian said Mr. Donelan was a popular figure in the office.

"Charlie was a wonderful colleague," he said. "I wouldn't say that about everybody, but he was really loved by the staff in particular - the nonlawyers. He treated them very well and gave them a lot of respect."

In his free time, Mr. Donelan loved to sail with his children in Little Compton.

"He was a great father," said his son James of Goleta, Calif. "Sometimes when someone would throw a very big party, there would always be a kids' table, and he was always sneaking back to the kids' table. He thought we were more fun."

After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the late 1990s, Mr. Donelan scaled back his work. He never demonstrated anything but "incredible grace and adversity" toward his disease, Palmieri said, which was consistent with the rest of his life.

"Having Parkinson's was very difficult for someone who was always so communicative," Palmieri said. "He was someone who really knew how to communicate what he was feeling to other people. . . . They didn't even have to speak the same language. Charlie could communicate with them."

In addition to his sons, Mr. Donelan leaves another son, Mark of Roslindale; a daughter, Ann Donelan Goulart of Falmouth; and four grandchildren.

Services have been held.