Donald G. Lubin

Don Lubin was born in Brooklyn, New York to Edith and Harry Lubin. His immigrant parents did not attend college but instilled in him the values and work ethic that enabled Don to benefit from the extraordinary educational opportunities this country offers as well as the commitment to help others. Don attended Wharton School of Business at the University Pennsylvania where he worked as a dishwasher to help pay expenses.

When Don graduated from Harvard Law School in 1957, he took a job at a small Chicago law firm, then known as Sonnenschein. At a very young age, Don became one of the firm’s leaders. By the time he retired in 2019, Sonnenschein had become Dentons, the world’s largest law firm. Don’s outsized influence extended beyond his firm to his clients, his community and to all who knew him.

Donald G. Lubin died Sunday, June 5, 2022, peacefully at his house at the age of 88.

Don was devoted to the practice of law. In addition to being a pillar of Denton’s Corporate Law practice, Don also served as Chairman of the firm at a time when it was expanding from its Chicago roots into the global arena. He was a trusted advisor, and friend, to business titans, including McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, and J.R. Simplot, the potato magnate.

He counseled boards of directors and senior management of both private and public companies including Allstate, Aon, Burberry, Daubert Chemical, McDonald’s, Sealy Mattress, Sears, Sloan Valve, and WW Grainger, as well as the San Diego Padres. Don prioritized developing future generations and earnestly mentored many lawyers. In 2017, on his 60th anniversary at the firm, Dentons created an award in his name, the Donald Lubin Award, to honor colleagues who embodied his own high standards and passionate dedication to the practice of law.

Don’s relationship building skills are exemplified in a story, often told to new hires at Dentons, about the way to do business. Early in his career, while still a junior lawyer, Don extended some free legal work to the secretary of a small burger chain with 28 restaurants. He refused payment because he had only made a few phone calls, even though those calls solved the secretary’s problems. The secretary, June Martino, was impressed by his responsiveness and refusal to accept payment. As a result, she recommended that her boss, McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, hire Don to write his will. This opportunity led to Don and his firm becoming McDonald’s primary outside counsel, to Don’s position as the longest serving Director of McDonalds, and to a lifelong friendship with Ray Kroc, Fred Turner, and many others in the McDonald’s family. In addition to McDonald’s, Don served as a director of several other public companies, including Molex.

Don’s advice to young lawyers: Do even the smallest tasks well and clients will remember you fondly.

Don devoted considerable time giving back to the community that had provided him with so much. Don’s generosity and charitable spirit left its mark and inspired those around him. Seeing the need to help sick children receive the highest quality medical care and feel at home in a faraway city, Don played a founding role in establishing the Ronald McDonald House Charities and served as a trustee for nearly 40 years. Don was also a Director of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of American History. He served as Chair of Metropolis Strategies, which was founded by The Commercial Club of Chicago to enhance the economic vibrancy of the Chicago region.

In addition, Don served as a Trustee and Chair of New Schools for Chicago and an Overseer of the University of Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences. He was a Life Trustee and former Board Chair of the Ravinia Festival, summer home of the Chicago Symphony, as well as a Life Trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he was a Life Trustee and Vice Chair of Rush University Medical Center and a Life Trustee and Chair of Highland Park Hospital. During his tenure at Rush, Don helped plan a new wing designed for pandemics. This wing allowed Rush to play a crucial life-saving role during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Don married the love of his life, Amy Schwartz, in 1956, and they remained happily married for 66 years. Don was a devoted father to his four children, Peter (Tara), Richard (Maureen), Thomas (Judy) and Alice (Christopher Spahr), and a proud grandfather to his eight grandchildren, Gabrielle, Natalie, Jackson, Tess, Emily, and Dylan Lubin; and Lucy and Spencer Spahr.

Don’s family was the most important part of his life. He went to extraordinary efforts to support his children and grandchildren. He encouraged their love of sports, education, and outdoor activities such as skiing (downhill and cross-country) and hiking. Don was always there in times of need for all his family members. He was a great mentor, role model, and storyteller. Don’s wife, children and grandchildren will cherish their memories of Don, and how he contributed so much to their lives and to our community.

The family will be holding a private family service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Legacy Charter School, Ravinia Festival Association, or Rush University Medical Center Office of Philanthropy. See below.