Professor Adam Milani, who had taught at the Mercer University Law School since 1997, died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 11, following complications from surgery. Professor Milani was one of the leading experts in the country on disability law and legal writing.
A rosary will be said Friday at 7 p.m. at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, Macon, and a memorial mass will be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Macon, with Father Tim Donahue officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Disability Connections, 170 College St., Macon, Ga. 31201, or to Goodwill Industries, 5171 Eisenhower Pky., Macon, Ga 31206.
Milani was born in Peoria, Ill., and had lived in Macon since 1997. He was a 1988 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Notre Dame, earning a BA degree in English and a 1991 graduate of Duke University, earning a degree in law. Milani was associate professor of law at Mercer where he taught disability law and legal writing. Before joining the Mercer faculty, Milani practiced law in Indiana, clerked for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana and was a member of the faculty at the University of Illinois College of Law. A quadriplegic and a renowned scholar on disability law, Milani wrote four books and numerous articles on the law of disability discrimination and served as a consultant to many attorneys around the country on such issues.
Milani was honored for his legal publications in 2003 by being elected to the American Law Institute. He was also honored in 2004 by the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association for his public service on behalf of the disabled. Milani was a devoted Notre Dame football and Duke University basketball fan. All who came into contact with Milani thought of him as a person who was caring, committed, compassionate and competent.
Daisy Hurst Floyd, dean of the Walter F. George School of Law, said Milani’s death was a tragic loss to the Law School, “Adam will be sorely missed. He brought great wisdom and compassion to his roles of teacher and colleague. His contributions to the fields of disability law and legal writing were nationally recognized, and he will be remembered for those. But, we will also remember Adam for his quiet strength and courage and the fact that he made the Law School community a better place.”
Survivors include: his parents, Joan and Ken Milani of South Bend, Ind.; his brother, Michael Milani, Hinsdale, Ill.; sister, Maria Moon, Leesburg, S.C.; three nephews, David Rogers, Michael Rogers and Jim Milani; two nieces, Hannah Dokey and Katie Milani.
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Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, Macon, is in charge of arrangements.
