Obituary: Savvy litigator helped Peninsula with trains, water Obituary: Savvy litigator helped Peninsula with trains, water (December 07, 2005)

By Marion Softky

Almanac Staff Writer

Peninsulans owe a debt of thanks to Arthur T. Bridgett of Portola Valley, a brilliant litigator who helped save rail passenger service on the Peninsula and keep its water rates fair.

Services for Mr. Bridgett, who died November 14 after a short illness, will be held at noon Tuesday, December 6, on what would have been his 95th birthday, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 555 Waverly St. in Palo Alto.

Mr. Bridgett is remembered as a gentle soul who was also very competitive "He knew how to compete with class, whether in court or on the golf course," said David Miller, a longtime friend and partner in his law firm of Hanson, Bridgett, Marcus, Vlahos & Rudy in San Francisco.

Son of a merchant ship captain, Art Bridgett grew up in San Francisco and practiced there all his working life. He worked his way through San Francisco Law School by studying nights and working days as an usher at the old Fox Theater.

After graduating in 1936, Mr. Bridgett practiced corporate law before eventually specializing in litigation. After forming several law partnerships, he and a partner merged in 1958 into the firm that still carries his name. Since then, it has grown from five to 135 lawyers, Mr. Miller noted.

In the 1940s, Mr. Bridgett moved to Palo Alto with his wife, Suzanne, and two sons Ronnie and Kenny, according to grandson Darren Bridgett of San Francisco.

They moved to Woodside in 1969. Later, when he and Suzanne moved to The Sequoias retirement complex in Portola Valley in 1994, he had a house in Sharon Heights and a town house in Palm Desert.

Mr. Miller, who has been legal counsel for SamTrans (the San Mateo County Transit District) since 1976, recalls that Mr. Bridgett was a key member of the legal team that prevented Southern Pacific from abandoning its passenger rail service in 1978-79.

As a result of that suit, the state subsidized Caltrain through most of the 1980s, until the three-county Caltrain board bought the right-of-way in 1990, and now operates the rail line.

About the same time, Mr. Bridgett led another lawsuit about the price San Francisco could charge its suburban customers for water from its Hetch Hetchy system. That suit lasted for years as Mr. Bridgett and his team challenged the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for trying to charge higher rates to its outlying users than it did for those in San Francisco.

The court eventually ruled in favor of the 20-plus suburban agencies that buy their water from San Francisco. It held that San Francisco could not act as the owner of the water, but must serve as a trustee for the benefit of the whole region, Mr. Miller explained. "Everyone had to be treated fairly and equitably," he said.

People at the law firm remember Mr. Bridgett as a patient mentor to younger lawyers. He established a culture of collegiality, openness, and humor.

"He was just a wonderful team player," said Mr. Miller. "As a partner in the firm, he was the glue factor. He wouldn't allow egos to get in the way."

Mr. Bridgett was active in many fields. He was an avid golfer, and a longtime member of the Menlo Country Club, grandson Darren remembers. He enjoyed traveling, loved reading the lives of presidents, and participated in many clubs, including a Democratic Club and an Optimist Club. He was named to the San Francisco Law School Hall of Fame in 1988.

After retiring from the firm in 1984, Mr. Bridgett, continued to serve as a Superior Court arbitrator.

His partner, Ray Hanson, was a founding member of The Sequoias, according to Darren. And Mr. Bridgett obtained its nonprofit status.

Mr. Bridgett outlived his wife and both sons. He is survived by three grandchildren, Darren, Sean, and Kirsten Bridget; and his daughter-in-law, Marilyn Bridgett.

Darren remembers wonderful visits when his grandfather talked to him. "He often sounded like Clarence in 'A Wonderful Life,'" Darren said. "He sort of got Irish on me."

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