Legal Profession Remembers Marquette University Dean Eisenberg
June 5, 2002
Howard Eisenberg, dean of the Marquette University Law
School, passed away on Tuesday, June 4 at St. Luke's Medical Center.
Eisenberg suffered a mild heart attack on May 23. He was readmitted to
the hospital Monday, June 3. He was 55.
"The state of Wisconsin has lost a bright star
and I, personally, have lost a close friend and an esteemed colleague,"
said Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson. "I
have known Howard Eisenberg since he was my student at the U.W. Law
School. When he left Wisconsin to teach law at Southern Illinois
University, I traveled to Carbondale at his invitation to participate at
the law school. When he left Carbondale for the University of Arkansas
Law School in Little Rock, I joined him there to give a commencement
address. And I took great joy in welcoming him and his wonderful wife
Phyllis back to Wisconsin in 1995."
"Through the years, Dean Eisenberg frequently argued cases before our
state Supreme Court as a public defender and then as appointed counsel,
often receiving no pay for his work," continued Abrahamson. "He was, and
will continue to be, an example of a remarkable lawyer, a role model for
all the students at Marquette University Law School and the entire
bar.
"I mourn Dean Eisenberg's passing with the heart of a friend and the
soul of a fellow teacher and lawyer," concluded Abrahamson. "He lived
life, as do all great men and women, as if he would never have to die.
He died far too young, but he will live on through his family, his
students, and the many people whose lives he touched."
"Howard was the heart and soul of the law school," said Shirley Wiegand,
acting associate dean of Marquette University Law School. "He was one of
a handful of truly great men, more generous of soul and spirit than
anyone I've known. Funny, brilliant, respectful, caring, and far too
hardworking; he cannot be replaced. We will miss him always."
"As Howard's counterpart dean, I had the wonderful
opportunity to work with him on a variety of committees and commissions
over the last few years," said Kenneth B. Davis dean of U.W. Law School.
"I always breathed a little easier knowing that Howard would be part of
the enterprise. His consistent thoughtful and sound judgment always
helped to move the process in a good direction. His selflessness and
compassion set the example for all of us.
"Howard's death has had a profound effect on all of us
at the U.W. Law School," said Davis. "We were very proud of him as an
alumnus, and we cherished his friendship. We will miss him a great
deal."
"Dean Eisenberg lived the concept of serving the public
through pro bono representation of the poor and the disadvantaged, and
was always willing to share his vast knowledge and expert advice with
other attorneys," said State Bar President Gerry Mowris. "My first
memory of Howard was when I called him as a young lawyer facing a
difficult legal issue. Howard not only had an answer but quoted me a
case and a citation from memory. He was always willing to provide advice
and guidance or suggestions to young lawyers. The citizens of the State
of Wisconsin and the State Bar lost a true friend."
"Dean Eisenberg will be missed greatly by the lawyers and the staff of
the State Bar of Wisconsin," continued Mowris. "From his service as the
state public defender through his service as dean of the Marquette
University Law School, Howard has been a consummate professional."
Eisenberg joined the Marquette faculty as dean and professor in July
1995. A native of Chicago, he was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of
Northwestern University. He attended U. W. Law School after which he
clerked for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Horace Wilkie. From 1972
until 1978 he served as the chief State Public Defender of the State of
Wisconsin and wrote the current State Public Defender statute. Eisenberg
left Wisconsin in 1978 to become executive director of the National Aid
and Defender Association in Washington, D.C. From 1983 to 1991 he was
professor and director of Clinical Education at Southern Illinois
University School of Law in Carbondale, Illinois. He served as dean and
professor of law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock from 1991
until he joined the Marquette faculty.
Eisenberg argued more than 300 appellate cases before state and federal
courts, including two cases before the United States Supreme Court. He
wrote and presented dozens of continuing legal education programs in the
areas of criminal procedure, legal ethics, elderlaw, and civil
rights.
Eisenberg received the 1989 Outstanding Achievement Award from the
governor of Illinois for his work in combating elder abuse and the first
Walter J. Cummings Award in 1992 as the outstanding court appointed
attorney in the Seventh Federal Judicial Circuit. He received the award
a second time in 2002. Eisenberg received several awards recognizing his
commitment to pro bono legal services. He served as a member of the
Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners from 1996-2001, and as chair of the
board during 2001.
At the time of his death he was chair of the State Bar Appellate
Practice Section, and he served as Chair of the Seventh Circuit Rules
Advisory Committee since 1998. Eisenberg was appointed chair of a
Special Commission to advise the Archbishop of Milwaukee on issues
relating to sexual abuse by priests. Gov. McCallum recently appointed
him to cochair a special committee to recommend changes to the Wisconsin
corrupt practices act. Eisenberg was a fellow of the American Academy of
Appellate Lawyers, the Wisconsin Law Foundation, and the American Bar
Foundation. He taught criminal law, criminal procedure, professional
responsibility, and appellate advocacy.
The Eisenberg family has requested that donations go to Marquette
University Law School, where they will be earmarked for the specific
purpose of supporting pro bono work by providing scholarship funds for
students doing public interest work.
In addition to his wife Phyllis, survivors include a daughter Leah, and
two sons, Nathan and Adam. The funeral services will be held Thursday,
June 6, at 11 a.m., at Temple Menorah, 9363 N. 76th St., Milwaukee.
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