May 21, 1953 - September 10, 2022
David Lieberman, beloved husband, father, friend, leader, and colleague, died in a tragic hiking accident in Lassen National Park on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at the age of 69. He leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Carol Brownstein, his three children, George, Hannah, and Aaron Lieberman, his sisters Lynne Ritvo and Deborah Lieberman, and countless friends and colleagues.
David was a mensch: a rock of good judgment, a source of comfort, love, generosity, kindness, and wit. In both his professional and personal life, he combined an unerring instinct for the right with a compassionate and tactful approach. Almost every encounter with him was leavened by his sense of humor, which could reduce even the most staid to helpless laughter. An internationally-respected historian of the 18th century, David studied the history of English legal thought. But his passions took him from music (especially opera) to wine and food, to philosophy and politics, to the great outdoors. At the center of his life were his family and friends. All who had the great good luck to know him had their own experiences of his grace. His courage in 2016, recovering from a bike accident that nearly paralyzed him, provided a model of strength.
David joined UC Berkeley Law School's Jurisprudence & Social Policy Program in 1984, where he mentored countless graduate and undergraduate students. He also served in a number of roles of great responsibility on campus, for which he was awarded several lifetime achievement awards. David wrote extensively and lectured around the world. He took retirement in July of this year, as the James W. and Isabel Coffroth Professor of Jurisprudence.
Those who would like to remember David with a donation are encouraged to give to the Beth El Meal Program in Berkeley; to the Santa Clara Valley Spinal Injury Center; or to the Jurisprudence & Social Policy Program.