Stephen David Silbert

1942 - 2024

September 4, 1942 - February 25, 2024 Stephen David Silbert passed away peacefully at home in Oxnard on February 25, 2024, after a brief illness. Stephen was 81 years old.
He was born on September 4, 1942, to Bernard and Irene Silbert in Los Angeles. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Jeanne Silbert; his cherished daughter, Tracy Rappaport; her husband, Daniel Rappaport; his adored granddaughters, Chloe and Claire; his sister, Dr. Susan Silbert; his ex-wife, Sue Silbert, and his cousins, Lynne Silbert, Kenneth Silbert, and Ellen Stern.
Stephen received a BA (summa cum laude) from Claremont McKenna College in 1964 while simultaneously earning an MBA. He received a JD from the University of California at Berkeley in 1967 with Order of the Coif honors.
In 1967, Stephen began practicing law in Los Angeles at Wyman, Bautzer, Rothman & Kuchel. He became the firm's youngest partner in 1970, the only associate in the history of the firm to become a partner in three years. He rose to become managing partner of the 120-lawyer firm in 1980.
Stephen loved the practice of law and during his time at Wyman, Bautzer, he oversaw the firm's Corporate and Transaction Department and handled numerous and sizeable deals. He also served as personal attorney to one of the firm's largest clients, Kirk Kerkorian.
Stephen left Wyman, Bautzer in 1985 when he was hired full-time by Mr. Kerkorian, the majority shareholder of MGM/UA Communications Co. and MGM Grand, Inc. In that capacity, Stephen supervised both from a business and legal standpoint many of Mr. Kerkorian's most significant investments. In 1986, Stephen was elected President and Chief Operating Officer of MGM/UA Communications Co., staying with the company until its sale four years later.
In 1991, Stephen returned to practice law with a group of his former Wyman, Bautzer partners at Christensen White Miller Fink and Jacobs (now Glaser Weil Fink Howard Jordan & Shapiro) LLP, until his full-time retirement in 2018.
Stephen and Jeanne, sometimes accompanied by family and friends, traveled the world, visiting all seven continents. From a cruise to Antarctica to dog sledding in Alaska, from South America to Europe, Asia and Africa, Stephen, together with Jeanne, saw and experienced it all. Multiple trips to Tuscany and safaris in Africa are among his and Jeanne's favorites.
The beach house in Oxnard that he and Jeanne designed, decorated with treasures from their worldly travels, and often filled with family and friends over gourmet meals and fine wines, brought him immense joy for over three decades. Their warm and welcoming home was always blessed with loving dogs. Above all, Stephen adored his daughter Tracy, who remained the "apple of his eye" and always looked forward to spending time with her and her family. While Stephen was a formidable negotiator in his professional life; he melted when interacting with his two granddaughters, Chloe and Claire.
To honor Stephen's memory, there will be a celebration of his life on Sunday, April 21st at 10am at Hillside Memorial Park. In remembrance of Stephen's life, the family requests that any charitable donations be made to One Voice (www.onevoice-la.org).