Lei Bei

Our firm lost an esteemed friend and colleague, Lei Bei, who passed away in September, 2018. He had worked with us in various capacities — legal assistant, law clerk, and associate — for more than 10 years. Because of his engaging personality and sense of humor, he is missed by all.

While his law career was short it was quite meaningful. An example is the successful effort he put forth in the Anthony Burtch first degree murder cold case filed in Johnson County. Tony is an innocent man who was charged with a 30-year-old murder and who faced a sentence of life in prison.

After six months of effort, Mr. Bei was able to get Tony out of jail without the requirement of posting a bond. Then, thanks primarily to Lei’s creative motion to dismiss, the State was convinced to reach a plea agreement. The State agreed to dismiss the murder charge with prejudice and to give credit for the six months already served by Tony on his guilty plea to the serious misdemeanor, providing false information. That day, Tony Burtch, an innocent man, walked away a free man — due primarily to Mr. Bei’s creative lawyering and hard work.

This result would not have been achieved without Lei’s diligence. As a firm, we don’t want this moment to pass without acknowledging Mr. Bei’s extraordinary accomplishment, achieved in the interest of justice for one vulnerable fellow human being. For this reason and many others, it has been our great honor to work with Lei Bei.