Eugene Crew

Eugene Chatham Crew

Eugene Chatham Crew, a prominent San Francisco antitrust trial lawyer, died at the age of 82 on Thursday, August 15. Gene is lovingly remembered by his wife Robin (married 53 years) his daughter Heather Crew Hermann, Heather's husband Chadd and grandchildren Megan and Kendall. Gene was predeceased by his son Christopher Alan Crew.

After completing his education at the University of Portland and the University of San Francisco School of Law, Gene practiced antitrust law for 50 years. He was co-founder of the law firm Khourie Crew & Jaeger and after a subsequent merger remained a named partner at Townsend and Townsend and Crew - now Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton.

Gene was a firm believer in the road bending toward justice. During a remarkable career, Gene established major antitrust legal precedent in every legal forum from the California Superior Court through the United States Supreme Court. Gene was a tireless crusader for vigorous competition in a free market economy and a zealous advocate for progressive values in a democratic society.

Gene's most significant antitrust appellate precedents established the principle that a monopolist may not harass competitors with abusive and baseless litigation. Historical victories included settlement of a California antitrust class action case against Microsoft Corporation in 2003 and he also obtained a trial verdict on behalf of the inventors of an energy saving technology that had been suppressed in the marketplace. He filed litigation that saved the St. Luke's and Chinese Hospitals in San Francisco from predatory business conduct by their competitors. Gene was retained by the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division to assist in its investigation of alleged anticompetitive activity by General Electric Corporation. He also zealously represented clients in the following industries: agriculture, trucking, railroad, bus transportation, advertising, commercial real estate, construction, maritime, consumer products, lighting, computer technology, credit card and semiconductor. Gene loved his position as an adjunct professor of antitrust at the University of San Francisco Law School and the University of California Hastings.

Gene was awarded Antitrust Lawyer of the Year by the State Bar of California in 2009. He also was elected Alumnus of the Year by the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2008. He was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and was a delegate to the Federal Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit.

Gene was passionate about the power of the written word whether it was a persuasive brief or the affection he expressed to his granddaughters in writing rhyming clues for a birthday treasure hunt. He loved to be engaged in discussions of contemporary political issues. Gene was an avid reader, runner and swimmer. He loved to play a round of golf with his daughter and enjoyed smoking a stogie with his son-in-law Chadd. With his wife Robin, he loved to dance, sing, travel and attend film and theater performances.

The burial will be private. A memorial will be held Wednesday, August 21 from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Julia Morgan Ballroom at 465 California Street, San Francisco. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Dr. Kipps, University of California San Diego, Blood Cancer Research Fund or the University of California San Francisco Hematology Department.