Martin London, longtime partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, was at the right place, but at the wrong time, this past Saturday morning.  Hours later, another Paul Weiss partner, Martin Flumenbaum, issued a statement.

    Mr. London was the unfortunate person to discover the lifeless body of Mark Madoff in the Soho neighborhood (NYC) apartment.  Mark is Mr. London's his stepson-in-law.  Earlier that morning, stepdaughter Stephanie called and asked him to check on her 2-year-old son, who was at home with husband Mark.  Stephanie was in Orlando, FL, with her 4-year old son, visiting Disneyworld, when she received e-mails from husband Mark urging her to have someone check on the child. 

    Hours later, another Paul Weiss lawyer, Martin Flumenbaum, issued this statement:  "Mark Madoff took his own life today. This is a terrible and unnecessary tragedy.  [Mark Madoff was] an innocent victim of his father’s monstrous crime who succumbed to two years of unrelenting pressure from false accusations and innuendo."     

Mr. London, who was a Madoff investor, contacted Mr. Flumenbaum;  Mr. Flumenbaum then contacted federal authorities.  Mr. Flumenbaum, it should be noted, has served these past 2 years as lawyer for both Madoff brothers, Mark and Andrew.  While Mr. Flumenbaum still practices at the firm, Mr. London  currently is retired - but serves as of counsel to the firm and is perhaps best known for representing Vice President Spiro T. Agnew in connection with the criminal charges that led to his nolo plea and resignation.   [NYT Dealbook, 12/13]