Harry J. Gruener

Harry Gruener

September 14, 1944 - March 11, 2022

Visitation: Friday, March 25th from 2-4 & 6-8PM, Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy, Pgh, PA 15229

Service: Saturday, March 26th 11AM, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 920 Perry Hwy., Pgh, PA 15229

Gruener

Harry J., Esq.

age 77 of Ohio Twp., formerly of Ross Twp. passed away on Friday, March 11, 2022; Beloved husband for 54 years of Christine (Larson); Loving father of Gretchen Busquets (Miguel) and Rachel Kress (Paul); Proud Papa of Marisa and Talia Busquets, Catie and Jay Kress; Also survived by loving friends, relatives, colleagues, students, an infinite number of golf clubs and a pristine 1961 red Corvette convertible.

Harry was a lifelong Pittsburgh resident born and raised in West View and a graduate of North Hills High School.  He went on to earn both his BA  and JD degrees from the University of Pittsburgh.    He began his legal career as a civil trial lawyer in both state and federal courts but ultimately found his niche in Family Law and exclusively concentrated his practice on helping families for over 24 years.

Harry’s passion for the law, his sharp intellect and his quick wit made him an influential presence in the western Pennsylvania legal community.  He was a founding member of one of the premier Family Law firms in the region and was listed in the Best Lawyers in America for twenty straight years as well as being named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for 2005-2012.  He was a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and served as president of the Pennsylvania Chapter in 2000 and 2001.  He was a member and former chairperson of both the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Section and Allegheny County Bar Association.  Harry also helped shape the landscape of divorce law in the state as a key member of the Advisory Committee responsible for guiding the 2005 legislative amendments to Pennsylvania Divorce Code.

Harry found his true calling when he returned to his beloved University of Pittsburgh School of Law to teach a new generation of lawyers.  He first joined the faculty as an adjunct professor and ultimately as a full-time Clinical Associate Professor of Law.  He established the Family Law Legal Clinic and Associate Director of Family Law Curriculum.  Harry’s classes were extremely popular, even though he always took attendance at his 8am lectures.  He received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the graduating law school classes in 2005 and 2012, one of the few professors to win this distinguished award in multiple years.  In 2009 Harry was awarded the School of Law Distinguished Alumni Award for his outstanding achievements.  He was also awarded the Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award in 2013 for the work his Family Law Clinic did with scores of indigent citizens of Allegheny County dealing with varied legal issues in the Family Court.  Harry will be fondly remembered as a dynamic, humorous and motivational teacher who mentored countless young attorneys.

Friends will be received on Friday, March 25th from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy., Ross Twp. A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, March 26th in St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, 920 Perry Hwy. Flowers are welcome but memorial contributions may be made to Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Rd., Pgh, PA 15237.

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