Thomas E Wallerstein

Thomas E. Wallerstein, 55, of San Francisco, California, passed away on June 16, 2023.

Born April 4, 1968, the seventh of eight children of Elaine and Dr. Ladislao Wallerstein, Tom attended St. Patrick of Heatherdowns School and St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo, Ohio, where he pursued his passion for debate and rhetoric. This passion led him to a career as a trial attorney. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, with honors, in 1999.

Throughout his life, Tom was very passionate about his family and his work. An outstanding litigator, Tom started his career as a law clerk 25 years ago for the Honorable Peter G. Verniero of the New Jersey Supreme Court, then for Hangley Aronchik, in Philadelphia. He moved to California in 2003 and joined Quinn Emanuel in Silicon Valley. He then helped open Venable's first San Francisco office and became a well-known partner there for over the last 10 years. He earned the admiration and respect of his colleagues, clients, and the legal community for his brilliance in the courtroom. He leaves behind a legacy of exceptional courtroom wins.

Tom also treasured the beauty of nature. Each weekend, he would venture into Golden Gate Park, whether to play tennis, hike through the Redwood Grove with his children, Matthew and Alexandra, or just seek a connection with the Earth. He also loved biking and kayaking. On many early Sunday mornings, you could find him biking from his home, over the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin and back again. He also enjoyed kayaking with his family on the Russian River and walking along Fort Funston, hoping to watch the hang gliders fly overhead.

Among his other passions was listening to the Grateful Dead. The band's music became the soundtrack of his life because their lyrics spoke to him deeply. Over the years, he experienced the magic of their concerts with many fellow Deadheads.

Tom was a man of boundless compassion. His warm smile and kind blue eyes brought comfort to those who needed it. He had a way of making even strangers feel like lifelong friends, often extending a helping hand to anyone who crossed his path, spreading generosity and positivity.

Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Cassandra, and their children, Matthew and Alexandra. He is also survived by his siblings, Ernest (Peggy), Stephen (Cynthia), Jerome (Nancy), Rose (Ken), and Carol, and many nieces and nephews. Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Dr Ladislao Wallerstein, his mother, Elaine Wallerstein, and his brothers, Richard and David Wallerstein.

Tom will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues and all those whose lives he touched. May his kind and gentle soul rest in eternal peace. Let us keep his spirit alive by embracing each day with love, gratitude, and an unwavering passion for life.

Tom's family invites you to carry on his memory by doing something he would have loved: taking a quiet walk through the redwood grove at Golden Gate Park.

A ceremony to celebrate Thomas's life with a reception to follow, will be held at Saint Ignatius Church, located at 650 Parker Ave in San Francisco, CA 94118 on August 3rd at 2 pm.

Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell. Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul. - Grateful Dead

Rest in peace, dear friend.

May your soul find eternal peace in the cosmic symphony you loved so much.