Experienced attorneys, prosecutors and judges knew Jay Goldberg to be an extraordinary trial advocate. Over his lengthy career he defended alleged mobster clients against criminal allegations; assisted with prisoner exchange deals between Russia and America; and championed civil rights causes.
Death came one day before jury selection in an important Fort Worth case.
Miles Feinstein
Miles Feinstein was a New Jersey criminal attorney renowned for over six decades of defending mob members, celebrities, and everyday people charged with breaking the law. Known for his sharp legal mind and courtroom antics, Feinstein also published several legal books.
A well-known Camden attorney passed away suddenly on July 22, 2023 due to leukemia. This loss came as a shock and tragedy for those who knew him; many clients found him irreplaceable as both an attorney and friend. We will miss him dearly.
Kenneth P. Thompson, the first black district attorney of Brooklyn and an outspoken advocate for racial justice at a time when tension between law enforcement and minority communities ran high, has died at age 50, according to his family. An avid member of the Democratic Party since 2013, Thompson won his seat after campaigning on an anti-racism platform and had battled cancer for months prior to his passing, according to reports.
Ken Starr, the former federal appellate judge who led Bill Clinton’s impeachment investigation and who later entered hospice care due to complications following surgery, has passed away at age 76 according to his family. He had been experiencing complications following surgery but still needed care at this point, his wife said.
Feinstein’s career spanned over half a century and included some of the highest-profile cases in American legal history. A prominent member of New York City’s legal community and mentor to young lawyers alike, his work can be found internationally at The Museum of Modern Art in New York, International Center for Photography and George Eastman House collections.
Feinstein received his law degree from Duke University School of Law in 1966 and completed a clerkship under Justice Morris Pashman on the Supreme Court. Additionally, he served on several Supreme Court committees as past president of New Jersey Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well as lecturing to bar and civic groups alike. Additionally, he co-founded New Jersey Association for Justice as a founding member and was on its Board as well as being on several Supreme Court committees.
Kim Helper
Kim Helper, a veteran district attorney from Williamson County, died Monday, as her office shared the news via social media post. Helper was known for her dedication to justice as well as serving on various professional and community boards during her longtime service as DA.
She was a member of St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Lodge #41 of the Fraternal Order of Police, Keep Tennessee Beautiful Advisory Board, Williamson County Republican Career Women, Leadership Franklin Alumni Association and Tennessee Bar Association Law Alumni; as well as past president of Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference.
Helper violated Plaintiffs’ rights by publishing information regarding Giglio impairment, an allegedly false statement which served to deny them their liberty interest in employment and to cause their jobs to be cut due to this action, making it harder for them to find work as police officers elsewhere. According to their lawsuit, this action by Helper caused them to lose their positions as police officers as well as make it impossible for them to find work elsewhere as such actions caused them to lose them without alternative employment options available to them.
Helper denies all allegations made in the complaint and asserts that she is immune from liability under SS 1983 due to prosecutorial immunity; her decision to publish Giglio impairment fell within her purview as an attorney and therefore is covered. Unfortunately, the Court disagrees.
Helper was expected to uphold her legal responsibilities and ensure all parties were treated equally. Her conduct was improper and should have made her aware that it deprived Plaintiffs of their constitutional rights.
Helper did not possess the authority or capacity to provide plaintiffs with due process either before or after their dismissal, since she was neither their employer nor permitted them to request an opportunity for name clearing hearing or respond to allegations made in the complaint against them.
This case serves as an unfortunate reminder of the need for civility in public discourse. Unfortunately, such a high-profile trial has been marred by so much negativity; instead of being used as an effective means to combat racism, this trial became used against its defendants instead.
Page Pate
Page Pate, a prominent constitutional law and criminal defense attorney frequently featured on CNN as an expert, died Sunday off of Georgia. At 55, Pate was swimming with his son when they were caught up in an unexpected rip current and eventually drowned. Unfortunately, Pate managed to swim back out before succumbing to it himself and perished at sea. His son managed to get back safely back to shore but not Pate who succumbed before reaching shore alive.
Pate Johnson & Church’s founding member and regular contributor, Patrick Pate was known for providing honest answers to difficult questions as he helped settle international legal disputes according to his firm.
Page was known for being a formidable and sometimes intimidating presence in courtroom, yet his firm noted in a statement: he embodied service and grace and always willing to lend assistance – whether through time, advice or money. Page was an unswerving advocate of justice for wrongly accused and underdog clients.
Pate was best-known for his courtroom work; however, he also regularly provided insight and analysis for CNN on legal topics making headlines at the time – such as Georgia’s probe into potential election interference by former President Donald Trump, FL Gov. Ron DeSantis stripping Walt Disney World of its special district status, or Ghislaine Maxwell trial proceedings. Furthermore, he founded Georgia Innocence Project which works to seek justice for those wrongfully imprisoned.
Pate was known to enjoy hiking and attending NASCAR races with his family. He leaves behind his wife and two sons as well as fond memories of trips with them where his smile would light up the room. Funeral arrangements are currently pending.
Tom Wine
Tom Wine was known for his dedication to both law and community during his long career as both prosecutor and judge in Jefferson County, including being well-respected among his adversaries in legal practice. His character embodied integrity, intelligence and faith – qualities which helped many people in Louisville. His death has brought with it widespread condolences across the state.
Tom Wine was raised in Somerset, Wisconsin. During high school he began working at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards in Madison where his interest for wine first flourished. Subsequently he studied Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis which boasted outstanding professors and researchers as well as one of California’s most advanced wine science labs; upon graduation he became one of only a few graduates in his class to enter professional wineries with such scientific labs.
Once Tom completed his Master’s program, he joined Estrella River Winery in Paso Robles where he received training in winemaking from Gray Eberle and Tom Myers. Later he founded Castoro Cellars with no facility, tasting room or vineyards at that time; instead producing “Dam Fine Wine.” However, by early 1990 he started developing quality wines under his own label — Castoro Cellars.
After years in the wine business, Tom returned to law. First serving as assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney of Jefferson County before being elected a circuit court judge in 1991 – and again elected chief judge two years later in 2000.
He was a member of both the Kentucky Bar Association and National Trial Lawyers. Additionally, he served on the Louisville Jewish Federation trustee board and participated in community service through various charities like Group Violence Intervention.
He is survived by his wife and two children, with memorial services being held on May 13 at Southeast Christian Church on Blankenbaker Parkway from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. respectively. Visitation will also take place.