Isadore Sidney Bernstein

COLUMBIA - Isadore S. Bernstein, 88, died Tuesday, June 29, 2010, at home, peacefully. Mr. Bernstein was born on April 5, 1922, the son of the late Bessie and Sam Bernstein. He graduated from Columbia High School at age 15 and entered the University of South Carolina. Mr. Bernstein graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University in 1941 and magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1943 as a first honor graduate. He was the Chief Justice of the Society of Wig and Robe, Editor-in-Chief of the Selden Society Yearbook (predecessor to the Law Review) and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. Mr. Bernstein was a captain in the United States Army during World War II, serving in the Judge Advocate General's Office. After the war, Mr. Bernstein opened his own law practice and taught business law at the University of South Carolina. He later served as a West Columbia Municipal Court Judge for 20 years, while continuing to engage in the private practice of law. From the 1960s until 1990, he partnered with his brother-in-law, Henry Hammer, and they formed the law firm of Hammer and Bernstein. The strength and reputation of the firm was built upon the strong foundation of ingenuity and leadership demonstrated by these two men. In 1994, Mr. Bernstein was joined by two of his children, Lowell E. Bernstein and Beth E. Bernstein, and formed what is now known as Bernstein and Bernstein, LLC. During a career that spanned over 60 years, Mr. Bernstein argued and prevailed in numerous cases in the United States District Court and South Carolina Supreme Court. He helped create and shape new law and precedent during his career. Mr. Bernstein was considered by his contemporaries to be a “lawyer’s lawyer.� He had a brilliant legal mind and was exceptional in his devotion to the legal profession. Mr. Bernstein was admitted to practice before the South Carolina Bar, the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, the United States District Court and all of the South Carolina State Courts. He was a member of the South Carolina Bar, Richland County Bar Association, American Bar Association and South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Bernstein was a life-long member of Beth Shalom Synagogue and engaged in extensive service to the Columbia Jewish community. Mr. Bernstein is survived by his children, Michele Bernstein Lewsky, Hilary Jo Bernstein, Lowell E. Bernstein, Beth Elayne Bernstein (Knowlton “Rip� Sanders), and Anne Laurelle Bernstein (Joel Slotnick). Mr. Bernstein is also survived by his granddaughters, Danna Lewsky, Rebecca Lewsky, Caroline Sanders and Isabel Sanders. Mr. Bernstein is also survived by his sister, Eleanor Bernstein Hammer. Mr. Bernstein was pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Carol Osterweil Bernstein, beloved son, Samuel Keith Bernstein, and beloved sister, Irene Frances Bernstein. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, with burial to follow in Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to the Carol O. Bernstein Memorial Fund at Beth Shalom Synagogue or Hospice Care of Tri-County. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com