F. William McCalpin

Who was F. William McCalpin?

F. William McCalpin was an American attorney, who throughout his career was a strong advocate for legal services within the American Bar Association. He was involved in a variety of leadership positions supporting both the private bar and legal services. He was named Chair twice of the national Legal Services Corporation and served on that organization's board of directors across four decades. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who served as Chair of the Legal Services Corporation between McCalpin's two terms as Chair, wrote of him, "He was an extraordinary man, a valued mentor and a true champion for equal justice and access to legal services for the poor. Through his work Bill changed lives and made an indelible impact upon the legal community."

McCalpin was a partner and counsel of the St. Louis, Missouri law firm Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.. He was awarded in 1988 the American Bar Association Medal of Honor, awarded to recognize "exceptionally distinguished service by a lawyer to the cause of American jurisprudence." The F. William McCalpin Pro Bono Award, given by the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, is named for him. In addition, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri dedicated the F. Wm. McCalpin Wall of Justice in 1999.