Leonard Brian Terr

Leonard (Len) Terr, age 69, passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2015. Len loved life and shared that zest for living with his family, his colleagues and his friends. He had a terrific sense of humor which instantly put others at ease and gave selflessly of his time and energy to help others personally and professionally. He was a true Renaissance man, being not only a gifted legal scholar but also a talented musician and writer. He found contentment at the beach and enjoyed kayaking alone or with his dog.

Len is survived by his wonderful family of which he was tremendously proud: his wife, Linda, his children, Jessica, Jeremy, Amanda and Ashley, and his two beautiful grandsons, Evan and Nate.

Len was born in Atlantic City, NJ, and grew up in Philadelphia where he graduated from LaSalle College in 1967. He went on to obtain his A.M. and Ph.D. from Brown University in 1968 and 1971 respectively. Before taking up law, he was an instructor in English at Brown University, and an assistant professor of English at Wayne State University and Elmira College. His Ph.D. thesis was titled, "Tragic Satire from Jonson to Pope: The Vituperative and Elegiac Phases, and Their Relationships to the Neoclassical Pictorial Tradition". His poetry was published in numerous literary publications. Len consistently reflected in his daily life this diverse and deep background in the arts, and shared it with friends and colleagues through his charming wit and eloquence.

Len turned his career to the law and obtained his J.D. from Cornell University in 1975. He clerked for Chief Judge Wilson Cowen at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit after law school. Fortunately for the tax world, he then began his exceptional career as a tax lawyer at Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan in Washington where he became a partner. In 1987, Len accepted the prestigious position of International Tax Counsel at the U.S. Treasury Department where he served as the highest ranking international tax attorney in the U.S. government for two years. During that time, he headed the U.S. delegation in the negotiation of the current tax treaty between the U.S. and Germany, and was responsible for the negotiation of over a dozen other tax treaties and protocols.

Len joined the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie as a partner in Washington, DC, in July 1989. Len is the Immediate Past Chair of the Firm’s North American Tax Practice Group, a position he held for six years. He also made significant contributions to the practice as a member of the management committee for the North American Tax Practice Group for many years before becoming chair. In addition to his brilliant mind and amazing attention to client service, Len’s living legacy to Baker & McKenzie’s global tax practice lies in his incredible humility and untiring efforts to train and mentor others who will follow in his footsteps.

Len was one of the leading tax lawyers in the world, with a sharp mind and an insightful grasp of the law. For many clients in multiple industries, he was a "go to" adviser and trusted confidant. A brilliant tax attorney, Len was a Consultant to the prestigious American Law Institute Project on Tax Treaties. Len was formally recognized as one of the foremost tax advisors by Chambers Global, the World’s Leading Lawyers, Chambers USA and America’s Leading Lawyers. Len was considered the “Best of the Best” in the field of International Tax - Transfer Pricing by Euromoney Legal Group’s Guide to the World's Leading Attorneys and Leading Tax Advisers. Len also was ranked as a Leading Corporate Tax Lawyer by Who’s Who of Corporate Tax Lawyers and Law Business Research, and named a Top U.S. Corporate Tax Advisor by The International Tax Review.

Closer to home, Len has led the renowned Washington International Tax Study Group since 1990. He proudly served for many years as an adjunct professor of international tax law in the graduate program at the Georgetown University Law Center. Just last month, Len was chosen to receive the Charles Fahy Distinguished Adjunct Professor Award for Georgetown’s graduate law program for the 2014-2015 year in recognition of his exceptional service to the Georgetown Law Center in teaching, curriculum development, and student counseling. Len loved his students, and considered teaching one of his most important accomplishments. Len was also proud to serve on the advisory board for the annual George Washington University-Internal Revenue Service International Tax Conference.

Len will be remembered foremost as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and as a friend, mentor, leader, confidant, and source of courage and inspiration to all who knew him. Every day, Len shared with others his grace and charm, his wit, his optimism, his encouragement, and his caring and compassionate demeanor toward all. He was larger than life and at the same time humble. He was a role model for role models and his loyalty and generosity to his family, friends and colleagues knew no bounds and will never be forgotten.

A memorial service to honor Len is being arranged and details will be announced in the immediate future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Georgetown Law, Office of Development, 550 1st Street, NW, Suite 1001, Washington, DC 20001 or online at www.law.georgetown.edu (through Georgetown's secure online giving site, designated as "Len Terr Memorial Gifts").