Joseph Andrew Creitz

Obituary for Joseph Andrew Creitz, 57

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Joseph Andrew Creitz, who departed this life on December 5, 2024, in San Francisco, CA. Born on October 14, 1967, in Madison, Wisconsin, Joe was a cherished son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin, devoted husband, dear friend to many, dog dad to Choo Choo Schmoozle VonDoozle, and an esteemed member of the San Francisco community. He is survived by his wife, Krisana (Kwan) Vernseang; his mother, Joan Creitz; his brother, James Creitz; nieces, Clara, Anna and Sophie, and his grand nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Lowell Creitz.

Joe's journey into the world of law began with his education at the University of Wisconsin followed by earning his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (now UC Law San Francisco). His legal acumen and dedication to justice culminated in a successful career as a founding partner at Creitz & Serebin LLP, where he specialized in employee benefits litigation. With his law partner and long-time friend, Lisa Serebin, they created one of the few law firms in the nation handling all aspects of benefit claims for plan participants (health, disability, and pension benefits), in addition to public sector employee benefit disputes, and insurance bad faith litigation. Joe brought to his firm many years of experience as a private attorney and an attorney with the Department of Labor in San Francisco.

Joe's reputation as a formidable advocate for employee rights was well-known, and he was respected for his integrity, skill, and creativity. He was a recognized "Super Lawyer" and the recipient of the prestigious California Lawyer Attorney of the Year, or CLAY, award and many other distinctions. Through his podcast, The Law Is My Ass, he educated listeners on current legal news and issues with a dose of humor. Joe was proud to have been selected recently as one of seven Fellows in the JAMS Diversity Fellowship Program (alternative dispute resolution), as he planned to expand his work in mediation of legal disputes in the next chapter of his career. Since 2019, he regularly served as a court-appointed mediator through the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

His passion for law extended into academia, where he served as a beloved adjunct professor at UC Law San Francisco and most recently as the University's Professor of Practice, Director of Legal Research & Writing and Moot Court. Known for his engaging teaching style and deep understanding of legal principles, Joe inspired many students, earning accolades from them for his clarity, approachability, and dedication to student success.

In addition to his professional achievements, Joe was a committed environmental steward, contributing his time and expertise as a crew leader with the Sutro Stewards. He was passionate about preserving the natural beauty of San Francisco and worked tirelessly to ensure that future generations could enjoy the city's green spaces. Joe was known for his regular hikes in the Mount Sutro Forest and Twin Peaks, often seen clad in neon yellow and orange.

Joe was also an influential community voice, contributing to local discourse on various social justice issues through platforms like KALW, where he served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors. His empathetic approach to addressing people experiencing homelessness and his advocacy for affordable housing were particularly impactful, reflecting his deep commitment to social equity. He also volunteered his time to the Crisis Text Line and the AIDS Legal Referral Panel and provided pro bono legal advice to many.

Beyond his professional and community contributions, Joe was a force of nature and a man of many talents. He started playing the guitar at age 6 and had a side hustle in his mid 20s as a touring heavy metal guitarist. He was a diehard fan and stockholder of the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed woodworking, cooking, music, traveling, observing eclipses, and playing basketball. Joe's Scrabble prowess was legendary, and his command of English grammar was bar none.

Joe was known as brilliant, tenacious, friendly, kind, joyful, funny, compassionate, tremendously knowledgeable, and passionate about what he believed in. He was abundantly generous with his time, resources and talents and was the "go to" person of many for sage advice.

Joe's legacy is one of compassion, dedication, and unwavering belief in the potential of his community. He leaves behind a loving family and a wide circle of friends and colleagues who will continue to honor his memory and carry forward his mission of advocating for justice and empathy.

A memorial service will be held in San Francisco (information forthcoming), where those who knew and loved Joe will gather to celebrate his life and enduring contributions.