Page 1
Retired Attorney Marshall B. Grossman Dies
‘All Star’ Lawyer Had Successful Practice, Was Active in Community; Headed Commission on Judicial Performance
By a MetNews Staff Writer
|
|
|
MARSHALL GROSSMAN |
Marshall B. Grossman, an attorney for 55 years who had a highly successful practice, has died.
Burt Pines, a former partner of his, said yesterday that Grossman died Saturday night from Parkinson’s disease. He remarked:
“He was a towering figure in the field of civil litigation. A force of nature.
“He possessed a rare combination of intellect, verbal skills, tenacity, knowledge of the law, and ability to think outside the box to seek creative solutions to complex problems.
“If you were on the other side of a lawsuit with Marshall, you were at a distinct disadvantage.
“I have known Marshall since the 10th grade and had the pleasure of working as his law partner for over 17 years, 1981-1999.
“I could not have asked for a better partner or firm. Marshall set a standard of professionalism, excellence, integrity, and service to clients that was emulated throughout the firm. He was a wonderful mentor to younger lawyers. He cared about the people who worked with him. He was generous, thoughtful, and always available for assistance.
“He’s also admired and respected for his work and service outside the practice, including his public service on the Coastal Commission and Commission on Judicial performance, and his service to many organizations in the Jewish community.”
Name Change
Pines joined the firm in 1981 upon expiration of his second term as city attorney and the firm of Alschuler & Grossman became Alschuler Grossman & Pines.
In 1999, the firm joined with Stein & Kahan LLP to form Alschuler Grossman + Stein & Kahan; they then separated on Jan. 1, 2007, and Alschuler Grossman was absorbed by Bingham McCutchen LLP.
The law firm of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP announced on Jan. 14, 2014, that Grossman had joined as a partner, saying:
“Mr. Grossman is a titan of the Los Angeles litigation bar with a distinguished record of success in high-stakes cases.”
He has been described by the Los Angeles Times as an “all-star Los Angeles attorney.”
Bar Associations
Grossman has been honored by the Century City Bar Association and the Beverly Hills Bar Association for his contributions to the community and the legal profession.
He was a member of the California Coastal Commission in 1985, at a time when the Jonathan Club discriminated by race and religion in granting membership and it wanted to expand its Santa Monica beach facility by renting state-owned land. Grossman is quoted in the book, “Lawyers of Los Angeles, 1950 to 2020,” as declaring:
“What we’re saying is that if you’re going to take (58,000 square feet of) public-trust land, you’re going to have to use the facility in such a way that a Tom Bradley can be a member, that a Diane Feinstein can be a member, or that my kid can be a member.”
The Jonathan Club sued over the decision, losing.
Grossman assumed inactive bar status on Feb. 3, 2020.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene; his children, Leslie and Rodger; and three grandchildren, Sofia, Goldie, and Max. The funeral ceremony will be private with only family members attending.
A later event is planned to celebrate his life.
Copyright 2023, Metropolitan News Company