Andrew Hardenbrook Struve

A devoted son, brother and father, Andrew was blessed with many friends and colleagues who loved him dearly.

Andrew was a shareholder at Buchalter APC in Orange County.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Andrew’s family at this time and especially with his two teenage children who have lost their father,” a Buchalter spokesperson said Tuesday. “Andrew was a very smart and capable attorney, and he will be greatly missed.”

After graduating from Western State University College of Law at the age of 32, Struve started his legal career at O’Flaherty, Cross, Martinez, Ovando & Hatton. Greg Hatton, who is now of counsel at Theodora Ohringer PC, was a mentor to Struve.

“He was by far the sharpest associate I ever trained. Within a year, he was training me,” Hatton said. “Andy combined a calm and efficient approach to complex problems with a friendly demeanor and a well-developed sense of humor,” he continued. “He was always a pleasure to be around both in and out of the office.”

A year later, Struve joined Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP, where he spent two decades. Susan P. White, special counsel at Buchalter in Los Angeles, was mentored by Struve shortly after she joined Manatt in 2011.

“I assisted him on a matter that was heading to trial, and I was handling the insurance recovery portion of it. We bonded quickly. Andrew was a larger-than-life personality who knew how to draw people in,” she said. “He was incredibly bright and well-spoken and a top-notch orator before the Court. I got to hear Andrew argue numerous important motions over the years of working together, and he never failed to disappoint. We conducted an arbitration together a few years ago, and his cross-examination of the lead witness was one of the best I had ever seen.”

White said Struve was an excellent mentor who was patient with associates and went out of his way to ensure that they were given opportunities to learn their craft and succeed.

“I specifically recall one associate that was underperforming, and he spent so much time with her, helping her and teaching her,” she said. “He told me that if our associates don’t succeed, that is our failure. Andrew never placed blame on anyone on a team if something had gone wrong. That was not his style.”

Both White and Struve left Manatt after several years but managed to find their way back to working together at Buchalter. “Andrew was a great lawyer and an even better friend. I will miss his smile, his laugh, his good advice, and his caring heart,” White said.

Barry Landsberg, a former colleague and a partner at Manatt, said Struve was a prodigious talent and intellect, and he was kind, thoughtful, and compelling in their 18 years working together.

“Andy was magical in court. He relished contributing to the development of the law with the American Law Institute,” Landsberg said. “Andy called me his ‘big brother,’ and it was a role that I cherished. I will sorely miss my dear colleague and friend.”

Brad Seiling, also a former colleague and a current partner at Manatt, said, “As a colleague, I experienced and benefited from Andy’s brilliant legal mind. As someone who came to be a friend, I also experienced a funny, generous, and caring person who genuinely wanted to know the answer when he would ask me, ‘How are you doing, brother.’ I was honored to know him and call him my friend.”

Struve was preceded in death by his mother, Catherine T. Struve. He leaves behind family and loved ones including Kelly Ann Brennan, Elizabeth Brennan Struve, Jack Brennan Struve, Robin Moss, Guy Miller Struve, Marcia Mayo Hill, Maureen Butler, Catherine T. Struve, Frank Leroy Hill, Guy Miller Struve, Jr., and Elena Wise Struve-Hill.

A private celebration of life will be held in August.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Struve family.