He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Washington and Lee University and received degrees in economics (cum laude) and the law. After graduating from law school, he served two years as a finance officer in the U.S. Army with a tour of duty in Korea.
Following his military service he began his law career as a trial lawyer with the Baltimore firm of Smith, Somerville & Case and became a partner and a member of its executive committee. In 1984 he left Smith, Somerville & Case to form his own law firm, Sandbower, Gabler & O'Shaughnessy and transitioned to a plaintiff's' practice. During his more than 40 years of practice before the Maryland and DC bars, he was a member of the American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, Baltimore City Bar Association, and various other legal associations and societies. He was repeatedly voted by his peers as one of ''The Best Lawyers in America” in the field of personal injury. He was a frequent lecturer on various aspects of litigation and procedures at the Maryland Continuing Legal Education programs and legal seminars.
Gabler developed an early interest in wine. He traveled to vineyard regions throughout the world, collected wines and wine books, and began writing about wine. While a full-time lawyer he researched, wrote and published the definitive work on Thomas Jefferson's passion for wine, Passions: The Wines and Travels of Thomas Jefferson, winner of the 1995 "Veuve Clicquot Wine Book of the Year," and a Robert M. Parker. Jr. "Wine Book of the Year" selection. Following publication of Passions, Gabler was invited as a guest speaker on Jefferson and wine at institutions and clubs throughout the United States including Monticello, Museum of American History, Winterthur, The Society or the Four Arts, Florida Atlantic University Life Long Learning Society, Maryland Club, and The Center Club. He was a member of the Baltimore Branch of the International Wine & Food Society, and served as its president for two years. Gabler helped organize and was a member of ad hoc Baltimore and Washington groups of enophiles that met over the years at one another’s homes and shared their interests in wine and food.
In 1999 Gabler retired from the law and moved to Palm Beach, Florida with his wife, Anita. He continued his interests in wine and writing and authored such diverse works as An Evening with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, Dine with Thomas Jefferson and Fascinating Guests two novels: God's Devil and The Secret Formula, a historical novel. Benjamin Franklin’s Love Affairs, A Different View, two wine books How to Be a Wine Expert, and Wine into Words: A History and Bibliography of Wine Books in the English Language and two stage plays, Franklin and Jefferson: Sex, Politics, and the American Revolution, and Benjamin Franklin’s Farwell Paris Dinner.
Gabler co-founded and served as president of the Palm Beach Writers Group. He was an active member of The Society of the Four Arts, the Old Guard Society, and the Pundits. He continued an active schedule of giving lectures and classes on Thomas Jefferson and wine throughout his retirement years. His other interests included bridge, exercise, hiking, travel, reading, and anything associated with wine and food, especially dining with friends.
He is survived by his wife, Anita Gabler; a daughter, Morgan Gabler Youngston; a step-daughte,r Tricia Ward Holloway; two grandchildren, EJ Waldman and Dalton Holloway, and sons-in-laws, Mark Holloway and Jim Youngston.
Private services will be held at a later time.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the James M. Gabler Scholarship Fund at Washington and Lee University, Attn: Development Office, 204 West Washington Street, Lexington, VA 24450. Make check payable to Washington and Lee University and put a memo for: James M. Gabler Scholarship Fund.
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