James Christopher Paras

1932 - 2023

James Christopher Paras
May 27, 1932 - October 15, 2023
James Christopher Paras passed away peacefully at home in San Francisco, California, on Sunday, October 15, 2023. He was 91 years old. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to immigrant parents from Greece and Italy. He attended Boston Latin School (1951) where he developed lifelong friendships, a keen interest in classical history and languages, and a deep love for baseball and the Boston Red Sox.
Jim, as he was known to family and friends, is a graduate of Harvard College (1955) and married Ann Manfuso, immediately following graduation from Harvard University Law School (1958). Jim specialized in labor and employment law, and after working as associate chief of the Supreme Court branch of the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C., he moved with Ann to San Francisco in 1966. He became the 24th lawyer to join the firm of Morrison & Foerster. He spent the rest of his professional career at MoFo, where he became a Senior Partner with the firm. His professional career experienced numerous occasions worthy of highlight: Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Labor Relations Committee, a member of the governing Council of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the American Bar Association (ABA), and a member of the International Labor Law Committee (ABA). Jim loved practicing law and he deeply valued the relationships he developed with colleagues and clients.
Jim's other love was wine. For many years, he enjoyed growing Rhône grape varietals atop Mount Veeder in the Napa Valley and producing wines for both of his Jade Mountain and Paras Vineyard labels. He enjoyed the camaraderie of affiliations with numerous wine and gastronomic clubs and organizations, including Le Cercle de l'Union, Commanderie de Bordeaux de San Francisco, the International Wine & Food Society, and the California Vintage Wine Society. He is survived by his wife, Ann; children, Suzanne (Christian) Beard, Christopher (Laralei) Paras; grandchildren James, Ella and Alexis, as well as dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in Jim's memory to the Division of Cardiology at the University of California San Francisco to further efforts to advance the treatments of cardiovascular disease. To make a memorial gift, visit makeagift.ucsf.edu or send a donation payable to "UCSF Foundation" to UCSF Foundation, PO Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94145, and please include Jim's name on the gift in an accompanying note or memo.