Joel Barry Kleinman

Joel, husband for 34 years, of Mary Pat Brown, and father of Sam Kleinman, son, died on June 1, 2025 from Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease at Forest Hills of Washington, DC.

Joel was a lawyer, pilot, golfer, oenophile, and semi-professional Bacchanalian. He was born in the Bronx, and raised in and around New York City. He earned his BA from the University of Virginia and his JD from Georgetown University Law Center. During law school, he won the Lewis Powell Medallion and worked on the House Judiciary Committee's impeachment investigation that led to President Nixon's ultimate resignation. A staunch advocate for civil liberties and a trailblazing antitrust specialist, Joel was partner at Dickstein Shapiro LLP for decades, where he briefed (among others) the landmark Supreme Court case Snyder v. Phelps, 562 U.S. 443 (2010). He remained active in retirement, including by serving as the "Senior Intern" to Chief Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Ever generous with his cavernous collection of wine, he will be remembered by all as the life of whatever room he was in. Most importantly, he will be remembered as a devoted and stalwart friend, husband, and father.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC on June 21 at 3:30 p.m. If you would like to attend, please email Joel's son Sam at skleinman12@icloud.com.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center, through Case Western Reserve University.