‘A Preventable Mess': How Dementia Takes Toll on Aging Lawyers

Robert Fritzshall had to be pushing 80, Bethany McLean thought, so she was a little surprised to hear him talk about expanding his law practice.

His office was a bit dusty and cluttered with papers. There were files on the floor. She was concerned that he didn’t see the need to carry malpractice insurance. But she doesn’t remember anything being a red flag.

“He was charismatic, enthusiastic,” she said. “A little eccentric.”

Besides, she needed the job.

The global financial crisis hadn’t eased up. Despite graduating near the top of her class and serving on the law ...