Paul Ackerman

July 22, 1921 - November 6, 2017 Paul was born in Washington, D.C., to parents who immigrated from Ukrainian Russia. His father was a tailor, and his mother rented out rooms in their home. Paul attended school in D.C., graduating from Western High School. He showed his independent nature from an early age, rising early to sell The Washington Post at the trolley stop outside his front door. Paul attended George Washington University until enlisting in the Army in January 1942. He served in Europe as a member of the 94th Infantry Division, and returned to the U.S. in 1946. He earned degrees from George Washington and Georgetown. Paul was especially proud of his admission to the School of Law at the University of Virginia, from which he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1950. Paul worked at the Library of Congress, and practiced law in the greater D.C. area during a very interesting time. He witnessed not only McCarthyism, but Senator McCarthy, himself, when dining in the Senate Dining Room. He had occasion to meet with Attorney General Robert Kennedy, (also an alum of UVA), when it was the most expeditious means to resolve a matter on behalf of clients who were in receipt from the Senate Racketeering Committee of an “invitation to give testimony”. However, D.C.’s charms could not hold a candle to those of Dorothy Easterling, who he followed from there to southern California upon their marriage in 1960. Paul and Dottie enjoyed over 50 years of marriage, and shared two children, Bari Grace and Mark Andrew. Paul was an avid tennis player, enjoying men’s doubles in to his early 90’s. In 1965, upon being blessed with his son, Mark, through adoptive placement, Paul experienced firsthand the legal process that would later become his area of expertise. Through the following decades he focused his practice on this very meaningful area of law. Having received so many referrals through the word of mouth of the adoption and foster-care communities, during his 50-year practice in California, Paul Ackerman assisted in the adoption of thousands of children. In 2000, he received recognition from the Foster Care Auxiliary of Orange County with a “Friend of Foster Families” award. Paul was a respected mentor, advisor and advocate to many. He and Mrs. A. were included as honorary members of the family of Carlos and Celia Luna, who cared for the Ackermans in so many ways for so many decades. The deep devotion and love between these families extended beyond age, faith or circumstances, and they shared together many gleeful celebrations and sad milestones. Paul was predeceased by his son, Mark, in 1986, and his beloved wife, Dorothy, in 2012. He is survived by his daughter, Bari Grace Brennan (Michael), and grandson, Matthew.