Montgomery’s Julian McPhillips, a prominent civil rights lawyer and founder of the city’s F. Scott Fitzgerald Museum died Saturday at 78 after a prolonged illness, according to his obituary.

“Known affectionately as ‘the People’s Lawyer,’ Julian spent his career fighting for those often overlooked, dedicating his life to justice and fairness,” it reads.

“His passing marks not only the loss of a respected legal professional but also a beloved community figure whose influence stretched far beyond the courtroom.”

As founding attorney of Montgomery law firm McPhillips Shinbaum LLP, McPhillips largely pursued cases dealing with civil rights, personal injury, employment, and criminal defense, according to the firm’s website.

“His suits opened up state employment to minorities and challenged police brutality,” McPhillips’ bio reads.

In his lifetime McPhillips also ran for both a Senate seat and Attorney General. In 2002, he lost to Susan Parker in the Democratic Senate primary. In 1978, he lost in the Attorney General race won by Charles Graddick.

He represented a number of high-profile clients, including former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore in the defamation trial between Moore and women who accused the former chief justice of sexual misconduct.

He was born in Cullman, the son of a vegetable canner who later became an Episcopal priest, Princeton University wrote of him.

He graduated from the Sewanee Military Academy in Tennessee and then Princeton in 1968.

After graduating from Columbia Law School, he worked briefly as a Wall Street lawyer, his class notes stated.

“Life’s greatest meaning and purpose comes from helping other people,” he once said. “I didn’t feel like I was doing that on Wall Street.”

“The passing of Julian McPhillips marks the end of an era in Montgomery’s legal community,” his obituary reads.

“As an attorney, he stood up for what was right, fighting tirelessly for the underrepresented.”

“As a community leader, he championed social justice and cultural preservation,” it continues.

“And as a husband, father, and friend, he provided unwavering love, wisdom, and support.”

He founded The Fitzgerald Museum with his wife Leslie in 1986 in Montgomery’s historic Old Cloverdale Neighborhood, where Fitzgerald lived with wife Zelda from 1931 until 1932, according to the museum website.

“His passion for the arts and history reflected his commitment to celebrating and preserving the city’s rich cultural heritage,” McPhillips’ obituary reads.

Over the weekend, the museum celebrated the 100th anniversary of Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby with a Gatsby Extravaganza.

“He was beloved and now missed,” reads a post from the museum’s Facebook.

Julian is survived by Leslie and their three grown children, according to his obituary.

They have requested that those wishing to honor Julian’s memory consider supporting causes “close to his heart,” particularly the museum.

A public memorial service will be held to celebrate Julian’s life, with details to be announced soon, the obituary says.