Vol. 75, No. 7, July
2002
Sharing personal reflections
During the service solemnizing Howard Eisenberg's death and
celebrating his well-lived life, Howard's son Nathan observed, "During
the last few weeks, my mother, my sister, my brother, and I have been
deeply moved by the outpouring of support for Dad. What we have found
surprising is that there is a large number of people from all walks of
life who recognized Dad's greatness in the same way Mom, Leah, Adam, and
I do. It is humbling for us to realize how far his reach extended."
Friends, colleagues, and other admirers have shared their personal
reflections of Howard Eisenberg. To read more, or to contribute your
reflection, please go to WisBar.
"For Howard, public service was not simply a sound byte to describe
his work; it was a deeply held conviction and a personal obligation that
extended well beyond the way he made his living. It was the way he lived
his life." - James E. Doyle Jr. and Burneatta L. Bridge, Wisconsin
Attorney Generals Office
"I've never known a decision so heavy, a deadline so pressing, or a
crisis so confusing that Howard would shy away from it. He gave us
encouragement." - Nicholas L. Chiarkas, State Public Defenders
Office
"One day, I happened to mention some insignificant, obscure item I'd
noticed in a Supreme Court decision and he challenged what I had told
him. Since I had just read it, I was fairly confident about my accuracy,
so he bet me lunch that I had erred in my reporting. ... Suffice it to
say that Howard enjoyed a king's feast at my expense and I learned a
lesson many others before me had learned - Howard had an incredible
memory and wealth of knowledge and if he said something was so, don't
ever bet against him!" - Dean Zemel, Milwaukee County Court
Commissioners Office
"I went to Dean Eisenberg to ask about why I had done so poorly on my
first law school exam in his class. He offered me his time, his
patience. ... He said that, within reason, he would do anything to help
me understand and appreciate the law. What a gift!" - Karen
(Lescrenier) Riemer, Marquette 1999
"Howard had the ability to capsulize a complex issue and make it
understandable to the public at large. ... He was also a ready resource
for me when I needed recommendations for a law clerk or the court needed
his expertise on a given issue. He never failed to lead us in the right
direction." - Justice Robert L. Brown, Arkansas Supreme
Court
"Criminal law practitioners are sometimes not well-regarded by the
general public and even some segments of the Bar. Exactly the opposite
was the case with Howard. His reputation for integrity was recognized on
a national level and well-deserved." - Gregory B. Conway, former
State Bar president
"Howard Eisenberg was a lawyer's lawyer. ... If anyone in Wisconsin
restored dignity and respect to the legal profession, it was [he]." -
George K. Steil Sr., former State Bar president
"[T]here was something about Howard that stayed ever constant. That
something was his personal compass - somehow it always seemed pointed in
the right direction; and unlike so many, he had the courage to follow
it." - Tom Dixon, State Bar CLE Seminars director
Howard and Phyllis Eisenberg Fund supports pro bono service
Honoring the importance that Howard B. Eisenberg placed on pro bono
service, The Howard and Phyllis Eisenberg Fund has been established at
Marquette University Law School. This fund will provide stipends for
students participating in pro bono legal work and will contribute to
"loan forgiveness" for those students who pursue a career in public
interest law upon graduation. The Howard and Phyllis Eisenberg Fund will
help ensure the legacy of Dean Eisenberg who so perfectly followed the
command to "do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with
God."
Those who would like to contribute to the fund may send their
donations to: The Howard and Phyllis Eisenberg Fund, Marquette
University Law School, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881.
Wisconsin Lawyer
