Weil began attending the University of Virginia in 1876 and graduated from there in 1879.[2] He was admitted to the Virginia bar later that year, and by 1880 he was also admitted to the Ohio and Pennsylvania bar. He then began practicing law in Bradford, Pennsylvania, in 1880. In 1888, he moved to Pittsburgh, where he became the legal representative of large interests and made a specialty of corporation law. By 1916, he was senior member of the law firm Weil & Thorp,[3] and by 1931 he was senior member of the law firm Weil, Christy & Weil with his two sons. He made a number of connections with oil and gas operators shortly after arriving in Pittsburgh, and over the years became involved in a number of leading cases related to the production and transportation of petroleum and natural gas. He was involved in one case before the United States Supreme Court related to a state's right to prohibit transportation of its own gas product beyond its own boundaries.[4]
Weil was a member of the Voters' League of Pittsburgh for many years and became its president in 1905. Seeing to combat corruption in office and establish honest government, he directed the Voters' League to oppose the regime of bribery and mismanagement of public affairs rife in the city at the time. His crusade led to 98 members of the select and common councils being indicted for malfeasance along with several bankers, merchants, and other businessmen. The League then helped amend the city charter to replace the former councils of 150 members from the wards with a new body of nine members elected at large. His efforts also led to investigations of the city school boards, which consisted of numerous directors elected by the school districts, and the investigations culminated in the school system being reorganized to consist of a board of directors of schools who were appointed by the judges of the court common pleas. His civic reform record led him to consult reform organizations in other cities, deliver lectures to members of those reform organizations, and help organize reform movements in other states. He was an executive committee member of the National Municipal League and a member of the Pennsylvania Civil Service Association.[5]
Weil died at home from pneumonia on September 17, 1938.[9] His funeral was held at his residence in the Schenley Apartments. Rabbi Solomon Freehof of Rodef Shalom Congregation officiated the funeral service. He was buried in West View Cemetery.[10]
References
^Rook, Charles Alexander, ed. (1923). Western Pennsylvanians. Pittsburgh, P.A.: Western Pennsylvania Biographical Association. pp. 165, 363 – via Google Books.