Abe F. Levy; Longtime Dean of Labor Lawyers in Los Angeles

Abe F. Levy, for many years considered the dean of labor lawyers in Los Angeles, has died at age 78.

Levy died Wednesday in Encino of heart failure, said representatives of his law firm, Levy, Goldman & Levy.

Levy and his firm have represented hundreds of labor unions. He campaigned for better workers’ compensation laws through court cases and legislative action.

Levy, son of a union founder, also worked for minority representation within labor unions and for improved workplace conditions, Social Security and unemployment insurance for all laborers. He was an expert in collective bargaining and the development of grievance and arbitration systems.

Before entering private practice, Levy worked as an organizer and executive of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union in Southern California.

In 1967, he helped found the California Applicants Attorneys Assn., whose members fight for rights of injured workers.

Levy taught labor law and collective bargaining and organizing at Los Angeles Trade Tech, UCLA and El Camino College among others.

Survivors include his wife, Edith; three children, Lewis, Harriet and Nancy; a stepson, Scott; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd. The family has asked that contributions be made to the Abe F. Levy Memorial Fund at the California Applicants Attorneys Assn., 801 12th St. Suite 201, Sacramento, CA 95814.