Peter Angelos, a champion of justice who dedicated over 50 years to the legal profession, passed away March 23, 2024, at the age of 94. Angelos has left an indelible mark on both the legal world, the educational world, and the realm of baseball. His legal legacy will echo through the corridors of time, forever intertwined with the city he loved.
A legal titan, Angelos was a hardworking, and unyielding, lawyer. Perhaps his birth on the Fourth of July was a sign of wonderful things to come. Angelos was raised in Maryland by Greek immigrants. He received his law degree from the University of Baltimore in 1961 and opened a law firm in his name soon after. His tireless advocacy touched the lives of countless individuals. He was a distinguished attorney, and stood as a beacon of hope for those who suffered from the ravages of harmful asbestos fibers, defective products, medical malpractice, and personal injury.
In an era when asbestos cases were met with skepticism, Angelos boldly stepped forward. He was among the first attorneys in the United States to accept and litigate these complex cases, securing justice for thousands of Maryland workers and their families and recovering damages over $1 billion.
But his impact extended far beyond individual cases. The state of Maryland recognized his prowess, entrusting him with a historic mission: to pursue justice against the tobacco industry. Through a national bid process, he embarked on a relentless pursuit, ultimately recovering billions of dollars for Maryland.
Yet, Angelos’s legacy knew no bounds. He confronted another silent menace—the toxic lead pigments concealed within paints. Decades of harm had poisoned children throughout the United States. Undeterred, he challenged corporate giants, demanding accountability. His goal was clear: to ensure the abatement of lead paint in residential housing, not only in Maryland but across the country.
These legal victories fueled his passion and paved the way for his purchase of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team in 1993. With his purchase of the baseball team, he was successful in keeping the team in Baltimore, a real concern at the time.
Angelos contributed over $18 million during his lifetime to his alma mater, the University of Baltimore School of Law. He donated $15 million to build a new law center, The John and Frances Angelos Law Center, named after his parents. With his donations, the Fannie Angelos Program for Academic Excellence serves as a national model to promote diversity in the legal profession.
Today, as we bid farewell to this legal luminary, we remember a man who defied convention, who fought for the voiceless, and who etched his name in the annals of justice. May his memory inspire generations of lawyers to come, urging all to stand firm in the pursuit of justice.