Arthur D. Friedman

Arthur D. Friedman, former president of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association and attorney for the Town of Trumbull, has passed away from COVID-related disease on December 14 at age 88. A prominent member of the legal community in Fairfield county for 50 years, Friedman headed up two law firms during his impressive five decade career: Friedman & Friedman, founded by his uncles (former judges) Samuel and Irwin Friedman, and Friedman, Mellitz & Newman, partnered with Jack Mellitz and Noel Newman.

A fierce trial lawyer Friedman was known for his compelling arguments and many court wins. Friedman famously represented victims of the Gulliver’s Disco fire in Greenwich and Port Chester, NY in 1974. He also counted among his many more famous clients opera singer Betty Jones, and famed Shakespearean actor Morris Carnovsky and wife actress Phoebe Brand.

A graduate of Tufts University and New York University Law School, Friedman was born in the Bronx and raised in Bridgeport, where he graduated from Bassick High School. He was admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court, sworn in by famed Justice Thurgood Marshall, in 1966. From 1961 to 1973, Friedman served also as Town Attorney of Trumbull under First Selectman Clarence Heimann, with whom he is credited for creating the foundation for the town that exists today.

In 1991, Friedman served a term as president of the Bridgeport Bar Association. Friedman also served for many years as president of Congregation B’nai Torah, which he helped found in 1959. He was also a member of dozens of civic and political committees in Bridgeport and Trumbull. An avid fan of the New York Yankees and a great sports enthusiast, tennis player and golfer, Friedman was also a longtime member of the Hillandale Country Club in Trumbull and a member of Birchwood Country Club in Westport.

For many years Friedman chaired Bridgeport’s Law Day which brought together clergy from many different religions for a program of ecumenical readings and celebrations.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Rosalind Davis Friedman, sons journalist Roger Friedman of Manhattan, Paul Friedman (Lori) of Alexandria, VA, founder of Safer Country, and real estate broker and actor Mark D. Friedman (Maxine) of Manhattan, two granddaughters (Hannah and Charlotte), brother Jerald Friedman (Bonnie) of Ft. Myers, Florida. He was predeceased by his parents Herman Friedman, who owned Scientific Shoe Fitters in downtown Bridgeport for 36 years, and his wife, Frieda.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to consider a donation to Congregation B’nai Torah in Trumbull, Connecticut or to www.safercountry.org