Bradfute Warwick Davenport, Jr. – 50th Reunion Essay

Bradfute Warwick Davenport, Jr.

6134 St. Andrews Lane

Richmond, VA 23226

brad.davenport@troutmansanders.com

804-690-3136

Spouse(s): Suzanne Shepherd Davenport (1987); Charlotte Moore Davenport (1971-1986)

Child(ren): Kate Moore Davenport (1980); John Sidney Davenport (1988); Stephen Warwick Davenport (1989); Sarah Shepherd Davenport (1990); Maria Byrd Davenport (1991)

Grandchild(ren): Elliot Warwick Davenport Balogh (2015)

Education: Yale University BA 1969; University of Virginia School of Law JD 1972

National Service: US Army 1969-77

Career: Trial lawyer, Mays & Valentine and Troutman Sanders LLP for 44 years

College: Davenport

I’ll start with commencement 1969.

I was in Army ROTC and commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Military Intelligence. At the time Nixon had his secret plan to end Vietnam, but the war was still on. The army let me go to law school (UVA) and defer active duty. By the time I finished law school in 1972, the war was over and they didn’t need junior officers. So after three months of training in the Adjutant General Corps with Wayne Henderson at Fort Benjamin Harrison, I returned to Richmond and started practicing law at Mays & Valentine, which later merged into the Atlanta firm Troutman Sanders.

My law practice was mostly civil litigation and arbitration of business disputes. I did not have a “niche practice,” which suited me fine. I liked the great variety of cases I worked on. I was also the firm’s ethics and conflicts partner, and became something of a rabbi and éminence grise for other lawyers.

My wife, Suzanne, and I have sung in our church choir for many years, and I have done lots of things, both paid and volunteer, for the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the larger Episcopal Church (which is languishing now; maybe another Great Awakening will come).

My life hasn’t been particularly flashy, which fits my rule­follower temperament. I wish I were more of a risk taker, but I’ve been blessed with a wonderful wife, five children, one grandchild, good health and stability.

Regrets about Yale? Mostly that I didn’t take enough advantage of the academic side.

Best takeaways from Yale? Without doubt, the friendships formed there. Mostly the Baker’s Dozen and Davenport. And some of us have done a pretty good job of keeping in touch for these 50 years. And the stories (e.g., Chinese lit in translation; George Bush, Mike and chone) and late night bull sessions and Sunday NYT crossword competitions.

“The shortest, gladdest years of life” isn’t a perfect descriptor, but it ain’t bad either.

Thanks to you all.