We are deeply saddened by the loss of our esteemed colleague and friend, Jeffrey D. Mamorsky, who died on April 21 at age 79. Jeff was a trailblazer in the field of employee benefits law, and his contributions to the legal profession and the lives of countless individuals over the past five decades were both profound and enduring.
“Jeff was one of a kind — a gracious and thoughtful person who always had a positive aura and a kind word to everyone he met,” said Sandra Cohen, co-founder and managing partner of Cohen & Buckmann. “A titan in the ERISA bar, he was a patient mentor, an enthusiastic collaborator and an encouraging presence, a sincere motivator for our lawyers and staff. Jeff had a special way of making people feel seen and supported. And he entertained us with his stories of attending car rallies (he loved classic and vintage sports cars!) and of his beloved grandchildren. It was clear how deeply he valued the friendships he formed through the many passions he pursued.”
Jeff was widely recognized as one of the nation’s foremost authorities on ERISA and fiduciary governance, and during his career he held partnership roles at several leading law firms. He started his legal career by playing an instrumental role in the drafting of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and later developed the Fiduciary Audit® — which helps employers ensure ERISA compliance and protect employee pensions.
Jeff authored the acclaimed two-volume treatise, “Employee Benefits Law: ERISA and Beyond,” which has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous other courts nationwide. A prolific writer and speaker, he helped shape the national conversation on employee benefits law through his work as a lecturer, author, and as a founder and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Compensation and Benefits.
A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Jeff is survived by his wife of 43 years, Debra; his children, Jordan (Jackie) and Jenna (Jason); and his grandchildren, Morgan, Logan and Jackson.
Jeff’s legacy will live on through the generations of professionals he mentored, the clients he advised and the family he cherished. His presence in our firm and lives was a gift, we were proud to know him and he will be profoundly missed.