James B. May, 84, of Vero Beach, passed away on June 10, 2014.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Nancy Marquardt Coble May; daughters, Patricia May (David) Thomsson and Susan May O’Byrne; sons, Peter (Aimee) May and Timothy (Ann) May; eight grandchildren and three step-children.
He was predeceased by his wife, the former Ann Powers, mother of his children.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he grew up in Rockville Centre, Long Island and was a 1951 graduate of Williams College. He entered the Army, served in Korea and was awarded a Bronze Star, before attending Harvard Law School, from which he graduated in 1957.
In the same year, he joined the New York City law firm of Brown, Wood, Fuller, Caldwell & Ivey (which became the firm of Brown & Wood LLP and, after his retirement, merged with Sidley Austin LLP.) During his 31 years at Brown & Wood, May was recognized for the breadth of his legal expertise, having headed its Litigation department, and having worked extensively in both its Municipal Finance and Federal Securities law practices. His principal clients included Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and other leading investment banks.
May’s intellect, seemingly photographic memory (when Lexis first introduced the possibility of using computers to research legal precedents, his firm tested the new technology by arranging a competition between May and the computer), his capacity for spirited friendship, and his high standards of propriety and personal etiquette established precedents that enriched his firm and the colleagues with whom he worked.
May was a member of the American Law Institute, Vero Beach Country Club, Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club, and Belmont Country Club of Perrysburg, Ohio.
A funeral service will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA and Hospice Foundation of Indian River, or to the Salvation Army.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.
