Attorney Ted Frame, lawyer to prominent westside farmers, dies

—————

Attorney Ted Frame, a Coalinga lawyer who represented some of the largest farmers in west Fresno County, died on April 24. He was 86.

Born in Milwaukee, Mr. Frame was 13 when his father, Morris Frame, died. Mr. Frame’s mother, Jean, moved the family to Los Angeles where he attended Hollywood High School and later the University of California at Los Angeles. He graduated from Stanford Law School in 1952 and was admitted to the California State Bar in 1953.

Mr. Frame opened his own law firm in Coalinga where he specialized in agriculture law, tax law, and litigation.

Friends and clients described Mr. Frame as a small town lawyer with big city smarts.

“He took on some major cases,” said diversified farmer and rancher John Harris. “It seemed as though there wasn’t an issue that he didn’t have some expertise in.”

Harris, who was one of Mr. Frame’s clients, said he admired this thoroughness and work ethic.

“He was someone you could rely on and trust,” Harris said.

Over the years, Mr. Frame represented Harris, the Britz family, and Coelho family. He practiced law well into his later years.

“He was representing the second and third generations of his clients,” said Bob Glassman, chief financial officer for Britz Inc.

Glassman said Mr. Frame was well known for his legal work and his contributions to the community and his love of cycling.

Mr. Frame could often be seen riding his bike through oil fields, and the outskirts of the city every morning, rain or shine.

A park in Coalinga is named in his honor. It was built on the spot that used to house his office. The building came down during the 1983 Coalinga earthquake and Mr. Frame donated the land.

He was a member of the West Hills College Foundation and the Coalinga Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the American Bar Association, California Bar Association, Fresno County Bar Association, Kings County Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, American Agricultural Law Association, Masons, Shriners, and the Elks.

Mr. Frame was recognized as a member of the Fresno County Bar Association “Half-Century Club” in February 2010. In 2014, he was the second oldest active member of the Fresno County Bar.

This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Attorney Ted Frame, lawyer to prominent westside farmers, dies."