Steven Jeffrey Eisen

Steve is survived by his wife of 34 years, Gay Levine Eisen, son Jonathan (Lizzie), grandchildren Alexander & Elliott, Brother Lorne (Jodi), parents Harvey & Ann, nephews and nieces Matthew Eisen (Mary-Patton) & Davis, Scott Eisen, Iris Levine (Aaron Pomerance), and Max Levine.

Growing up in Nashville, Steve attended Montgomery Bell Academy, where he won multiple national debate championships, participated on the varsity tennis team, and was a member of the honorary fraternity Totomoi. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois; a Juris Doctor Degree from Vanderbilt University; and a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt. He also was an Eagle Scout and Life Loyal Sig of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Steve was a relentlessly dedicated husband, father, grandfather, son and friend. In 1986, Steve met Gay Levine at a Jewish singles event hosted at Gay’s home. Like Steve, Gay was a Nashvillian and an attorney. They were married in 1988. Their son Jonathan was born in Nashville in 1989. Their 34-year marriage was built on their mutual loves: their son, travel, the law, and their faith. His intensity and love saved Gay’s life when 32 years ago she needed to be added to the Organ Donor Registry on the MLK holiday weekend. With the insurance company and banks closed, Steve reached out to a bank owner and got the guarantee required to put her name on the list. She received a liver days later.

“Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” is a quote that captures Steve’s lifelong dedication to the practice of law. Steve joined Baker Donelson’s predecessor firm after graduating in 1983 and made partner in 1988. A summary of his accomplishments runs pages and includes national recognition for his expertise in banking and financial services from such organizations as Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America. He co-authored multiple books on banking and intellectual property and was widely published in banking and business journals locally and nationally.

Steve approached his cancer diagnosis with bravery and optimism, and he remained dedicated to his family, his clients and the practice of law until the end of his life. When asked about his greatest professional accomplishment, Steve did not recount a specific award or transaction. Rather, he said his greatest achievement was “consistently getting things accomplished with expertise and integrity.”

Steve believed that the greatest gift he could give was his time. He was a staunch proponent of community service and pro bono legal work. He was an expert in governance and served as a dedicated board member for the Exchange Club Family Center and Nashville RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities). He also gave his time and talents to other organizations including Jewish Middle School of Nashville, the Economic Club of Nashville and its Economic Club Charities, the Mid-South Liver Alliance, the Baker Donelson Non-Profit Institute, West End Synagogue and many more. Each year since 2014, he has received the Attorneys for Justice award from the Tennessee Supreme Court for service to non-profit organizations.

Steve had a contagious sense of humor. One of his favorite traditions would occur on Passover. He would slyly disappear during the seder, and burst through the door disguised in a full Elijah costume moments later. Each year, the Seder guests would despair that Steve missed Elijah’s appearance once again.

He also loved spending hours making personalized greetings cards for friends and family, with his signature tagline, “Cards by Eisen” on the back.

Steve was an avid sports fan. He loved playing tennis, softball, and pickleball. He cheered for Vanderbilt, the Predators, the Cubs, and the Titans. However, his favorite team was always the one his son was playing for. He traveled the country and the world to watch Jon play baseball. He hardly ever missed a game. The two of them spent hours bonding over baseball - watching games, collecting memorabilia, and chasing down their favorite players for autographs.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Family Center of Nashville, The Sports Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, or a charity of your choosing.

Services were held at West End Synagogue on December 8 at 10:30am. To view a recording of this service scroll down to the past services section for a zoom link. The password for the zoom link is x63$G$M%.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Eisen family.