Smith Haughey founding partner David Haughey dies at 102

David Haughey Courtesy Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge recently announced the passing of one of the firm’s founding partners, David O. Haughey.

He was 102.

The firm said Haughey died at his home Oct. 19.

“We were so sorry to learn of Dave’s passing,” Smith Haughey CEO Matt Wikander said. “It’s always difficult to lose one of our own. Dave was a pillar of this firm, and we are forever grateful for his commitment to both Smith Haughey and the legal profession. We hold his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Haughey volunteered for the army in World War ll and served as a captain of an artillery unit in the Battle of the Bulge and the freeing of Antwerp Harbor.

Shortly after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School, Haughey joined what was then Mitts & Smith in 1948.

Two years later, he became a partner of the firm and after undergoing some changes, the firm became known as Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge.

As a young attorney, he developed a practice in tort litigation, real estate and financing matters. He later focused on product liability litigation, representing companies such as Dow Chemical and General Motors.

Haughey was a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers.

He retired from his practice in 1987.

“Dave was my trusted partner and mentor for 33 years, and a good friend for many years after his retirement,” said Bud Roegge, a Smith Haughey founding partner. “I never heard a harsh word from him. He was a superb trial lawyer who was humble in victory and accepting in defeat. He freely gave countless hours in teaching younger lawyers his hallmark practices of thorough preparation and unwavering ethics. These lessons have served our current attorneys well and will continue to do so in future years.”