In Memoriam: Ronald J. Lehrman (1932-2022)

IPKat was saddened by the announcement that Ron Lehrman passed away on Wednesday, February 9th. In 1969, Ron, together with Peter Weiss, Heinz Dawid and Alvin Fross, established Weiss, Dawid, Fross & Lehrman – now known as Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C. Based in New York City with an office in Washington, D.C, it has become a preeminent firm in the trademark world.

Ron was a major reason for the firm's success. An honors graduate of Dartmouth College, and of Harvard Law School, he married a profound understanding of trademark law with a keen practitioner's eye for the needs of his clients and the disarming charm of his charismatic personality.

In carving out his nonpareil expertise as an international trademark practitioner, he went on to represent numerous high-profile brands and become a noted figure in the trademark community. The International Trademark Association awarded Ron with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.

His commitment to the firm was legendary. He retired as a partner only in 2020, and throughout that long tenure, his overriding commitment was ensuring that the firm would continue to develop and prosper. He was an anchoring oar within its day-by-day operations.

This Kat was fortunate to share many a conversation with Ron, whether at the firm or the INTA Annual Meeting, where Ron always found the time to offer his latest thoughts on a wide range of topics. All of this, with the charm that never left him.

As his colleagues wrote yesterday in his memory--

Ron was a teacher without equal and an invaluable resource, always providing a reassuring presence and generously sharing his extensive knowledge and life wisdom. His intellectual and moral elegance, good sense, and unfailing decency have been a model of professionalism and a source of strength. We are deeply saddened by this loss, but we are comforted by the many happy memories and life lessons that Ron imparted to all of us.

Indeed, that speaks for all of us.