George Porter
Defense lawyer, eclectic collector

Though a soft-spoken, mild-mannered man, the powerful presence of San Bernardino criminal defense trial lawyer George Porter was not missed by anyone—when he spoke people listened.

“He was a very quiet man. You didn’t learn a lot about George unless you knew how to ask the right questions. But he was the kind of person who just drew people—kind of like the pied piper,” said his longtime companion, Claremont resident Rhoda Huffman.

Called a “lawyer’s lawyer,” “the ultimate gentleman lawyer,” “the model of civility and professionalism,” and “a pillar of integrity,” by colleagues and friends, Mr. Porter gained deep respect from the law community and beyond during his almost 40-year career as an attorney.

“When he took a case, his concern was solely the client. He would work for the wealthy and the poor. He would put in tireless hours until he found a way to successfully defend his client,” commented 30-year law partner Robert F. Schauer in an email. “George was the best criminal defense lawyer to ever come out of San Bernardino County, was one of the best in the state and for that matter the entire country.”

Mr. Porter, most recently a resident of Rancho Cucamonga, died on March 6, 2008 at an Upland convalescent hospital after a long illness. He was 78.

Born in 1930 in Manila, Philippines where his father served in the military, Mr. Porter came to the US as a child, first settling in Texas and later moving to California.  With original intentions to become an educator or an economist, Mr. Porter graduated from the University of Redlands. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the US Army and sent to Korea, arriving mere days before the cease-fire. After this, he worked as a substitute teacher and then completed his law degree at the University of California, Berkeley in 1958.

Mr. Porter launched his law career with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and later, in 1968, became a founding partner of Covington & Crowe in Ontario. It was with this law firm that he spent the majority of his illustrious career.

A talented and successful trial lawyer, Mr. Porter’s skills and devotion to helping others extended beyond courtroom walls. For many, he served as a creative and tireless mentor who offered his utmost attention and expertise for their betterment.

“Upon meeting someone, [George] would take note of that person’s strengths and weaknesses, and reach out without being asked, to assist with career development,” remarked longtime friend Wendy Saxon. “He had this unique ability to ‘step out’ and mentor both men and women in the legal profession. Not officially for notice or acclaim, but simply because he loved to help people sort themselves out.

“Oftentimes, mentoring meant assisting with personal obstacles and fulfillment. So very many professionals felt a lifelong intimate connection with George. He cared that each person he came to know would be enriched. That each person he mentored developed a sound sense of self and identity.”

For a number of years, Mr. Porter poured forth his knowledge in the classroom, serving as adjunct professor at the University of La Verne College of Law. Ms. Huffman, his longtime companion, noted that his gift for carefully and artfully choosing his words and speaking them at the most strategic and appropriate moments was something he passed along to his students.

“He chose his words very carefully and rarely wasted any. His students stressed that he tried to teach them this: the economy of words,” Ms. Huffman said. “Speaking in public, especially in the courtroom, you have to know the right thing to say at the right time. You have to be able to craft.”

Talented at constructing a compelling argument, Mr. Porter also possessed a flair and a selfless drive to create opportunities for others.

Audrey Perri, a former partner of Mr. Porter’s at Covington & Crowe, noted that he opened doors for both men and women who were “fortunate enough to come under his tutelage.” She explained that one example of his quiet leadership occurred in the 70s when, although women were joining the legal profession in growing numbers, there was still a fair amount of gender bias. Mr. Porter persuaded a number of influential and respected male leaders in the legal community to join the newly formed organization, “Inland Counties Women at Law.” Mr. Porter served as the association’s first secretary.

“It was this kind of leadership example that advanced opportunities for area women attorneys to become full participants in our state and local bar associations and in our profession as law firm partners and judges,” wrote Ms. Perri in an email. “I was one of the many men and women fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to endure critiques of my trial skills by this master trial attorney and benefited from the doors he opened and opportunities he created. George made a difference in the lives of so many of us.”

Mr. Porter was elected to the State Bar Board of Governors in 1996 and participated in a number of professional committees in his field. He also served as president of the Western San Bernardino Bar Association and was a published author.

“He was a doer, and he wanted to be doing. He wanted to be working with people and helping them,” Ms. Huffman commented. “He was certainly a mover in trying to help others. He wanted to be able to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Beyond his law career, Mr. Porter had an eclectic variety of personal interests. “His home, oh, his home,” began Ms. Huffman as she explained his passion for collecting.

“It was quite a journey to go through his house or his office. Every spec of floor and shelf and surface was covered in piles,” said Ms. Huffman, who added that the top of a Sam Maloof desk he owned was well protected due to the stacks of papers preventing the desk from ever seeing the light of day.

“He was not an organizer,” Ms. Huffman added.

Mr. Porter particularly enjoyed collecting books and antiques, the latter of which he often acquired at auctions. He was also passionate about music, all kinds but especially jazz, and had played classical violin in his youth. In the present, his musical creations were mainly strummed out on his ukulele. Collector that he was, he owned “tons” of other instruments as well, Ms. Huffman shared. He also loved ballet.

Gardening was another favorite pastime of Mr. Porter’s, and he enjoyed “a good puttering” in his yard full of citrus, avocados, vegetables and other edibles, said Ms. Huffman. But, she added, he didn’t like weeding. He took pleasure in strolling around gardens other than his own and often visited Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, the Huntington Library and Garden and the LA Arboretum, among other places.

In a poem written for Mr. Porter in 1997, Ms. Huffman tried to capture the quintessential spirit of the man she knew and loved so well:

“I remember you/Trying to squeeze all your varied interests into one life/Every second of every day filled to the brim/never wasting a minute looking back.”

Mr. Porter is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Porter of Auckland, New Zealand; and by his longtime companion, Rhoda Huffman of Claremont. His son, Greg Porter, predeceased him.

A celebration of Mr. Porter’s life will be held in June. Memorial donations may be made to the George Porter Memorial Fund. Please call Audrey A. Perri or Jody Sanchez at Haslam & Perri, LLP, for more information on the celebration or how to contribute: 983-4777.