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Howard Irwin Friedman

1928 - 2021

BORN

1928

DIED

2021

About

University of Chicago University of Oklahoma

Howard Friedman Obituary

April 21, 1928 - January 19, 2021 Howard I. Friedman - Prominent Attorney and Longtime Jewish Leader 1928-2021Howard Irwin Friedman, former Chairman of the Board of the Skirball Cultural Center, past national President of the American Jewish Committee and retired partner of Loeb & Loeb, died in Encino, California on January 19, 2021 from complications due to Covid-19. Born on April 21, 1928 in Chicago, Ill, and raised in Oklahoma City, OK., Howard met the love of his life, the former Wilma Mann of Tulsa. Howard received a BA, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Oklahoma, MA from the University of Chicago, and LLB from the Yale Law School, where he was a Note Editor of the Law Journal. At the end of the Korean War, he served as a Captain in the US Air Force/JAG Corps. He then moved to California to teach at Stanford Law School. Howard spent his career at Loeb & Loeb, where he was the managing partner and head of the litigation department, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. All his life, Howard was a tireless Jewish leader. He learned Jewish values from his parents Sam and Emma, who founded The Southwest Jewish Chronicle, 1932-1991, which circulated and united the small Jewish communities of the Southwest.Serving as the national President of the American Jewish Committee from 1985-1988, he was also an Emeritus Governor of the Board of Overseers of the Hebrew Union College. In 1996, he was one of the founders of the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, and served as Chairman of the Board from 1996-2014.Howard was a fierce advocate for what he believed was right: in 1948, while a student at OU, he led on-campus protests in support of Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, a Black student denied admission to the law school on the basis of her race; in 1992, he joined the ACLU to appeal for a stay of execution for a convicted killer who suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome.Howard is survived by his wife of 69 years, Wilma Mann Friedman, daughters Lesley Friedman Bodzy (Gerald), Beth Cates (Ron), son Harry Friedman (Melanie Stern), grandchildren Sam Cates, Elana Cates, Joshua Friedman, Nathan Friedman, Marc Bodzy, Rachel Bodzy, and sister Sandra Czarlinsky. He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues. Burial, private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Howard to the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049.

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Published by Los Angeles Times from Jan. 22 to Jan. 24, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Howard Friedman

14 Entries

Michael Brourman

August 31, 2022

I am very late getting this terrible news.

After I joined Loeb and Loeb in 1975, Howard was my mentor. The first case I ever worked on with him turned into a 9-month trial where we obtained a $20 Million judgment for our clients. After that, I had the great fortune of having Howard select me to work with him on many of his major cases over the next 5 years.

We spent a lot of time in Atlanta, working on a case involving the movie rights in Gone With The Wind, and being out of town with Howard was such a joy because he was an extraordinary story teller. From his life growing up in Oklahoma City, to his college days at Oklahoma and then the University of Chicago, to his time as a young lawyer working with the great Herman Selvin, Howard´s stories not only made great listening, but there usually was an important point to be absorbed from each.

He was the best lawyer I ever saw. Incredibly smart, a great wit and the most eloquent speaker. His opening statements and closing arguments were a privilege to listen to. My vocabulary increased considerably as a result of working with him, particularly in 3 and 4 syllable words.

Howard was as good a person as he was an attorney. Maybe better. His devotion to his lovely life Wilma, to his children and to Jewish causes were among his traits that I most admired. After a couple of years, I even got used to his cigars.

We kept in touch for the first 20 years after I left Loeb and Loeb, but after a few our contact became very infrequent. That was my loss. I believe the last time we spoke was when he told me that he was retiring. We promised that we would stay in touch after that, but we didn´t. For that, I will ever be sorry.

I remember having brunch one day with another superb Loeb and Loeb lawyer, Jerry Goldberg, after I had left the firm. I told him the story of Howard´s opening statement in the Modern Faucet case, our 9 month trial. Howard had been involved in another trial in Orange County for 6 months right before our trial was set to begin the Tuesday after the Presidents´ Birthdays holiday. Howard and I met in his office on the Sunday morning before the trial and we spent that day and the holiday going over issues and the witnesses and evidence in each. The next day was opening arguments. Four hours for each side. Howard´s opening statement was incredible. It sounded like he had been immersed in the case for months. He started with a quote from Martial´s Epistles, which somehow he seamlessly tied to the issues. Then, he went through every important issue in detail, clearly elucidating (one of many words I learned from Howard) what the witnesses and documents would prove as to it. I was awestruck.

When I finished, Jerry Goldberg looked at me and said: "Michael, this is probably the most important thing I´m ever going to say to you. Just remember that you and I are not Howard Friedman. Neither of us could ever do what he did." That was absolutely true.

So many stories are rushing through my mind. There are so many more things I want to say. I was lucky enough to have three excellent mentors in my legal career. But, Howard was by far the biggest influence on the way I practiced law. I tried to be as ethical as he was. I couldn´t write or speak as well as he did, but I think he influenced me to do each far better than I otherwise could have. He loved the law and the practice of it, and I tried to also emulate that as best I could.

I hope that if Wilma and his children read these words, it will bring some comfort to them. He was truly a great man; the best I have had the fortune of getting to know in my now 75 years on this Earth.

Stuart and Marietta Bernthol

Planted Trees

Dr. Stuart Bernthol

January 13, 2022

Dear Wilma, Marietta and I were so sorry to hear of Howard's passing. He was an absolute force of Nature, fearlessly fighting for what he thought was right. Whether as President of the American Jewish Committee, a founding member of the Skirball or his involvement with HUC, we watched him make an impact on the world. On a personal note, I appreciated him as a friend for his counsel and his contribution to Marty and me. He was always a gentleman
He will be missed by countless recipients of his kindness, wisdom and contributions to mankind.

Borthwick Maribeth

January 28, 2021

I remember Howard from my first days at Loeb and Loeb. He believed in integrity, honesty, hard work and common sense. All those traits he exhibited consistently. Brilliant, engaging, tough but fair, he treated all as his equals. He will be missed.

Mary Lou Byrne

January 25, 2021

I had the privilege of working with Howard many years ago and it was the highlight of my career. He was so smart, so kind, so respectful of me as a young woman lawyer. I will never forget him!

Sincerely, Bob and Diane Dilla

Planted Trees

Thomas Long

January 24, 2021

My law firm and I were clients of Howard’s decades ago. I will never forget the motion he made to overturn an adverse ruling. The motion was to the same judge who had decided the case against us so I didn’t bother to attend. The judge stated that Howard was criticizing every aspect of his lengthy ruling. Howard replied “yes your honor but I’m doing it with love and affection.” Howard won the motion and the case. I read the transcript and realized what an amazing lawyer I had. I will always regret missing that hearing.

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Simone Taylor

January 24, 2021

Please except my deepest sympathies, May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

David Gordis

January 23, 2021

I will miss my beloved friend enormously. We have been close friends for over fifty years. At his urging, Felice and I moved to New York to enable me to become Chief Executive of the American Jewish Committee. Felice and I spent many happy hours with Howard and Wilma. We send our love and sympathy to Wilma and all the family.

Margaret & Glenn

Planted Trees

Margaret Yee

January 23, 2021

I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I am very much moved by his life story - his life and values touched so many people. He was a true visionary. Margaret & Glenn

Marcia Oberdorfer

January 22, 2021

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Marcia and Hans Oberdorfer

Diane Hight

January 22, 2021

In loving memories of a wonderful and giving man... you will be missed Mr. B... but forever in my heart ❤

Beth Cates

January 22, 2021

Life Lessons - Anonymous
You may have thought I didn’t see,
Or that I hadn’t heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.
Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we’d grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It’s written on my heart.
Without you, Dad, I wouldn’t be
The woman I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.
I’ve grown up with your values,
And I’m very glad I did;
So here’s to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid.