James J. Keightley

James J. Keightley, 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at Alexandria Hospital from complications of lung cancer. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Jim was as 70 year resident of Alexandria, Virginia. Jim served as General Counsel of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. In 2005, he left PBGC, to form Keightley & Ashner LLP.

Previously, Jim worked for the Internal Revenue Service, most recently as Special Counsel for Large Cases and Associate Chief Counsel for Litigation. Jim was a visiting lecturer at the University of Virginia Law School. He was also a founding member and Master of the J. Edgar Murdock Inn of Court (Tax Court) and has served as a member of the United States Court of Federal Claims Advisory Council. Jim left the IRS Office of Chief Counsel and became PBGC’s General Counsel. He was a member of the Finance Committee of United Way Worldwide and served as Chairman of its Pension and Investment Subcommittee.  Jim was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© list for 2019, 2020, and 2021. Jim holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School, an LL.M from the George Washington University Law School, a BA from Villanova University, a JD from Cornell University and was a member of the bars of the District of Columbia and of Virginia.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Gerald E. and Helen (Frawley) Keightley and his brother Gerald Keightley. He is survived by his loving wife Bonnie, daughters Tricia Keightley (Daniel Davidson) and Susan Keightley (John Daley) grandsons James and Thomas Daley, brother Thomas Keightley and sister-in-law Georgia Masters Keightley. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 11am at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 2700 S. 19th St. Arlington, VA 22204. Inurnment at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 2823 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302 at a later date. Please check back as more details become available.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's honor may be made to ACT for Alexandria or S.O.M.E. (So Others Might Eat). Please see the links below for details.