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Montgomery Bar Foundation

James Heffernen, Esq. Leaves a Lasting Legacy

By Kate M. Harper, Esq., President, Montgomery Bar Foundation

Jim Heffernen practiced law in Montgomery County for many years before his death in 2020, and leaves a lasting legacy through his deeds and life. Recently, the Montgomery Bar Foundation was notified that his legacy will also include a substantial gift of more than Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars to the Foundation. I asked his daughter-in-law, Leslie Heffernen, Esq., also a Member of the Montgomery Bar, to share her memories of Jim with us, as she had at the annual Montgomery Bar Memorial ceremony after his death to remember him once again to us, his fellow Montgomery Bar Members. Here are her words:

“As many of you may know, Jim passed away in September 2020. He was a 50-year member of the Montgomery County Bar Association.

“Jim was a former clerk for the Honorable Alfred L. Taxis, Jr., a 1956 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School and a US Navy veteran, having logged in more than 100 carrier landings while at sea. Jim was also one of the first attorneys in Montgomery County to receive his LL.M in taxation.

“Growing up as the son of a house painter, college was beyond his financial means. Fortunately, he caddied at Plymouth Country Club and a member, a local businessman, offered to pay for his tuition. Jim never forgot the generosity extended to him and always gave back to the community through the creation of scholarships, charitable trusts, and support of

numerous charities especially those in the Conshohocken area. He was especially fond of the Montgomery Bar Foundation.

“Jim loved practicing law, working deals with unfailing energy. He was adored by clients and known for his quips such as “the only thing worse than dying is outliving your money” and “taxable income is better than no income.” He was generous with his time, he never hesitated to help young people to improve their lives. He took a deep interest in students and worked with many young adults improving resumes and reviewing college and law school applications. He found joy in the success of others.

“Jim also left his mark on the County seat, Norristown. As a young lawyer he made it his mission to ensure trees were planted along Swede Street where his first office was located. After raising the required funds, the result was dozens of Bradford pear trees planted all around the Courthouse. Many of these trees are still flourishing today. He even received an award from the Norristown Garden Club for these efforts; in the words of the Club, “the sight was spectacular when they bloomed in the Spring.”

Thanks, Leslie, for that tribute. Many members remember him fondly and the Montgomery Bar Foundation is very grateful and pleased to have received such a generous donation from the James and Fay Heffernen Charitable Remainder Trust to be able to continue our work in supporting programs and organizations that provide access to justice in Montgomery County.

One of those organizations, of course, is Legal Aid of Southeast PA, and the Foundation hosted a golf outing, with a dinner and silent auction to raise money for Legal Aid on June 27, 2022 at Cedarbrook Country Club in Blue Bell. The Legal Aid Golf Classic raised money for the Foundation to give to Legal Aid.

In partnering with the Montgomery Bar Foundation to provide access to justice, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, with offices in Norristown, provides free legal services to low-income people who need a lawyer to handle civil matters like consumer issues, protection from abuse, housing issues, bankruptcy, custody, unemployment compensation and elder law issues.

The MBF Legal Aid Golf Classic is one way Montgomery Bar lawyers raise money to help provide much needed services, but as Jim Heffernen’s example shows, there are many ways to support the Montgomery Bar Foundation’s work. Please join us by becoming an MBF Fellow this year when you get the solicitation, or, if you are a Young Lawyer, we have an option on the website for regular smaller gifts that still qualify you for Fellow status. Check it out!

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