M. Laurence ("Larry") Popofsky, former Chairman of the Heller Ehrman law firm, passed away on May 9, 2017. He was 81 years of age.

Larry was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on February 16, 1936, to Samuel and Fannie Popofsky. Larry's father ran the Reliable Department Store, later known as Sam's Store. Larry, a champion high school debater, graduated from the State University of Iowa in 1958, where he served as Vice President of the Student Body and earned a Rhodes Scholarship.

After receiving his degree in jurisprudence from Oriel College, Oxford, Larry graduated from Harvard Law School cum laude in 1962. While in Cambridge, he met his future wife of 49 years, Linda Seltzer, who attended Wellesley College and later received a Ph.D in European History from the University of California at Berkeley. The two settled in San Francisco, where Larry practiced law at Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe (later Heller Ehrman) and Linda taught European History at Mills College and later ran the Chancellors' Scholarship Program at University of California at Berkeley.

Larry, who served as Heller Ehrman's Chairman from 1985 to 1992, specialized in antitrust and appellate law, arguing the influential case GTE v. Sylvania before the Supreme Court of the United States. More recently, Larry served as Senior Counsel at the Orrick law firm.

Larry served on the Board of the Jewish Home for the Aged, on the Board of Mount Zion Hospital, and as an adjunct professor of antitrust at Golden Gate University School Law School. He was a long-time member of Temple Emanuel.

Larry is survived by his son Mark Popofsky of Washington D.C. (married to Suzanne Yelen) and Kaye Kramer of Los Angeles (married to Jeremy Kramer), as well as his grandchildren Madeleine Popofsky, Maxime Kramer, Jules Kramer, and Oscar Kramer.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from May 10 to May 11, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Larry Popofsky

7 Entries

Bruce Hamilton

May 18, 2025

I met Larry during my work on one of the largest insurance coverages disputes in the United States. He spoke to a group of us who were troubled by some disturbing aspects regarding our client that had begun to create tension within Heller Erhman. In his calmest voice Larry underscored the importance that irrespective of our own PERSONAL feelings about our client´s innocence or guilt, they nonetheless were our client and as such demanded our best efforts. I think Larry said this as much for himself as he did for us because at his core Larry Popofsky was a man of high morals and even higher integrity and I think it troubled him that he, along with the other lawyers, were advocating for a client whose legacy at best would be forever questioned. You were a force to be reckoned with Larry and those of us who knew you and worked with you are better for that association and experience.

Dave Garber

May 19, 2017

I am sad to read of Larry's passing. We were fraternity brothers at the
University of Iowa. I always admired Larry for his intelligence, leadership skills, and kindness. When I was a freshman he showed me how to tie a half Windsor knot in my tie!!
My deepest condolences to his family. He was a terrific fellow!

May 19, 2017

All: Larry's Memorial Service will be held on June 1, 2017 at 11:00am at Temple Emanuel.

Howard and Lorraine McKinley

May 14, 2017

To Larry's family we send our affection and our gratefulness for having known your Father. He was not only a fine neighbor but a kind and loving friend. It was a privilege to know him and be a recipient of his generous friendship.
Blessings, Howard and Lorraine McKinley

Nina Anne Greeley

May 14, 2017

This is sad news, indeed. I had the privilege of working with Larry at Heller Ehrman in the late 1990s and early 2000s -- and I use the word "privilege" very consciously. Larry was, quite simply, a brilliant lawyer. As a young associate at the time, I was awed to be able to work with him. I remember watching him brain-storm with Curt Caton, his fellow-partner at Heller, and thinking how lucky I was to work with two such intelligent lawyers coming at an issue from two very different, but equally valid points of view. He taught me to always return to the basics -- something many lawyers forget. His intelligence and enthusiasm will always remain with me. My sincere sympathy to his family.

Jeanne Hahne

May 14, 2017

I enjoyed living in the same building as Larry. He always had a nice word or good advice to give. I will miss him.

Jonathan Jacobson

May 11, 2017

It was a great honor to litigate against Larry, with him, and later serve with him as a special master. Brilliant lawyers but as compassionate as you'll ever find, in a field (law) where you don't see that a lot. He was a great friend and I miss him.

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