SAN FRANCISCO — David Andrews—among the first African-Americans to manage a national firm, an official in two presidential administrations, a pioneer of the environmental practice in Big Law, and most recently the general counsel of Pepsi Co.—died Dec. 30 from a terminal illness. He was 71.

Though he had a storied professional career, colleagues at his former firm said he’d be remembered for his down-to-earth, approachable demeanor.