Albert C. Shapira, who started out as an engineer for Westinghouse Electric but went on to become a union attorney and longtime professor of law at Duquesne University, died Sunday at Forbes Hospice of complications from pneumonia. He was 89.

Mr. Shapira, of Squirrel Hill, graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1937 with a degree in metallurgical engineering and went to work for Westinghouse at its East Pittsburgh plant. One part of his work, unbeknownst to him at the time, was metallurgical aspects of the Manhattan Project -- the development of the atomic bomb.

After becoming a licensed engineer in 1947, Mr. Shapira transferred to Westinghouse's patent department, where he worked until his graduation from Duquesne's law school in 1950. For the next 20 years, he was a professor at the school, teaching courses in contract, commercial and labor law. He counted hundreds of future lawyers and at least 40 county and federal judges among his students.

He also spent 33 years as general legal counsel for the Federation of Westinghouse Independent Salaried Unions, which at its peak represented some 18,000 clerical, technical and professional employees in more than 50 bargaining units nationwide.

"I represent the union employees, of course," Mr. Shapira explained. "What we have to do is we have to keep [management] honest."

Mr. Shapira said he was particularly proud to have argued a case, in 1954, before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Though he lost the case in a 7-2 decision, he said he obtained some solace from receiving the votes of two of his favorite justices -- Hugo Black and William O. Douglas.

But his most unexpected result, he said, was a 1958 decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in the case of Mathewson v. Westinghouse in which the justices, in a 4-2 vote, reversed a unanimous ruling by the state Superior Court.

According to a federation publication upon his retirement in 1983: "In a span of years from the 1960s to the 1980s, he did not lose a case in the courts, the National Labor Relations Board or in arbitration."

He then spent 16 years serving as a labor arbitrator for the federal government.

After his retirement from legal activities in 1999, Mr. Shapira focused on his work as a trustee for the Steinsapir Family Foundation, which contributed to religious, health, educational and environmental organizations.

He also performed pro bono work, most notably as legal counsel to the parishioners of St. Nicholas Church during their effort to save their church on the North Side from Route 28 expansion. Mr. Shapira's wife of 42 years, Helen Shapira, was a member of the church until her death in 1993.

He is survived by a daughter, Alberta E. Shapira.

Visitation will be today from 9 to 10 a.m. at Ralph Schugar Chapel, 5509 Centre Ave., Shadyside, with a service to follow.

Donations may be made to Croatian Fraternal Union of America Humanitarian Aid Fund, 100 Delaney Drive, Pittsburgh 15235 or Forbes Hospice, 115 S. Neville St., Pittsburgh 15213.