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Michael Friedman Obituary
1960 - 2020
Michael S. Friedman, lawyer, editor, teacher, publisher and poet, father to Henry and Joseph, and husband of 20 years to Dianne Perry, died peacefully on May 5, 2020 in Denver, Colorado, after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 59.
Michael was born and raised in New York City. He attended The Collegiate School and received a B.A. in English from Columbia University in 1982. After receiving an M.A. in English Literature from Yale University in 1983, Michael attended Duke University School of Law (J.D. 1986).
Michael practiced law in New York City, first at Winthrop Stimson et al., and later at Weil, Gotshal & Manges. In 1995, He moved to Colorado and began his 25-year association with the Denver law firm of Haligman Lottner et al. (now part of the national law firm of Fox Rothschild LLP).
Michael was also a prolific writer and editor. He co-founded the influential literary journal Shiny (which is now archived at NYU), and authored several books of poetry and fiction. In 2015, a trio of his novels Martian Dawn and Other Novels was published, to great critical praise.
Michael was wickedly smart, had a wonderful sense of humor and was deeply loved by his wife, two sons and a wide circle of friends. He is also survived by his parents, Lester Friedman of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and Sally Long of New York, New York, and his sister, Deborah, of Atlanta, Georgia.
He will be missed.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Friedman
Sponsored by The Denver Post.
3 Entries
Doug Hsiao
August 21, 2020
I read about Michael's passing in the Duke Law alumni magazine. Several years ago, I was a client of Michael's here in Denver, and found him to be a wise counselor and sharp attorney, but more importantly he was a creative thinker and gentle soul who seemed to rise above the mundane legalese of real estate contracts and mortgage financing. It was not surprising for me to learn that he was a published poet and writer, as you could tell after talking to him for even 5 minutes that he was a man of many interests and talents. My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Jay Mattlin
May 17, 2020
Very saddened and shaken by this news. Michael and I were classmates in high school. He was a good friend. The summer after college, I worked as an apprentice at a theater in the Berkshires, where MIchael's family had a home. I knew nobody up there and didn't have a car. On several occasions, Michael drove out to pick me up and spend time with me. He introduced me to his lovely family, who welcomed me warmly into their home. I really appreciated his friendship. I had always intended to reconnect with him after college -- I last saw him at a high school reunion -- and deeply regret that I will no longer have that opportunity. With deep sympathy to his family.
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