Thomas McCormick, a well-known figure in the San Luis Obispo County legal community, has died, according to colleagues and staffers at the SLO Superior Court. He was 55.

McCormick had practiced law for more than 27 years, often taking highly publicized, complex cases. He earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco, and passed the state bar in 1985.

Over his career, McCormick had represented defendants in a number of notable cases. Most recently, he defended Kaylee Ann Weisenberg, who was convicted of second-degree murder in the vehicle-related death of California Highway Patrol officer Brett Oswald, as well as Patrick Wollett, who was convicted in the slaying of San Luis Obispo resident Joshua Houlgate.

Before his death, he was representing Rhonda Wisto, the suspected ringleader in the ongoing trial over the kidnap and murder of Santa Maria juvenile Dystiny Myers.

His office didn’t respond for comment on funeral plans.