In Memoriam: Donald H. Heller

The Criminal Law Section would like to acknowledge the contributions of Donald H. Heller, who recently passed away. Don was a member of the Criminal Law Section Executive Committee. Even as he battled cancer, Don was an active participant in our ExCom. His many comments and ideas were always powerful and thought provoking. He was truly dedicated to the improvement of the criminal justice system.

Don had an esteemed career as an attorney. He helped to prosecute Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, who attempted to assassinate Gerald Ford. After being involved in a ballot initiative that allowed the resumption of capital punishment in California, Don would later become an opponent of the death penalty.  Don understood the critical role of legal ethics, and through his words and example, encouraged everyone in the legal profession to “do the right thing.”