Vice Chair of Howrey Dies at 53

The vice chair of Howrey, Cecilia Gonzalez, has died from breast cancer at the age of 53.

Gonzalez was a highly respected lawyer who practiced before the International Trade Commission, according to The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times. She represented companies and technology clients in intellectual property litigation before the ITC and in the federal courts.

In 2008 the National Law Journal named Gonzalez one of the 50 most influential minority lawyers in America, the story says.

Howrey managing partner released this statement to The BLT: "Cecilia was so generous and so committed; truly exceptional as both a lawyer and a leader. As a longtime member of the executive committee, and then as vice-chair of the firm, her extraordinary judgment, talents, and perspectives were vital to our success. We simply would not be who we are today, had we not been blessed with her presence, her brilliance and her caring friendship."