Eric Louis Zubel, a former resident of Las Vegas, NV, passed away on October 30, 2022. Born on November 14, 1943, in Detroit, MI, Eric led a rich, exciting, and exceedingly productive life. A life-long student of the law, history and the human condition, Eric was above all else a devoted family man. Married to the love of his life, Cathy, for 49 years, they raised three children: two sons and a daughter. Eric was successful at each of his varied endeavors and was generous to a fault.
Growing up in suburban Detroit, Eric graduated from Berkley High School in 1961. After spending a year at Central Michigan University, Eric transferred to the University of Michigan, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966. Eric then worked as a corporate recruiter, crisscrossing the country during one of the most pivotal times in U.S. history.
In 1968, Eric headed west to San Francisco, where he attended Golden Gate University School of Law. After earning his law degree in 1971, Eric moved to Las Vegas where he first worked as a law clerk for Judge Thomas O’Donnell of the Eighth Judicial District Court. Obtaining his license to practice law in 1972, Eric opened his own practice that same year beginning a long career handling a wide variety of cases. Shortly after beginning his law practice, Eric met Cathy, falling head over heels in love. They married in Las Vegas in 1973, beginning both their own family and a life of many adventures together.
After raising all three kids, Eric and Cathy moved to San Francisco in 1997 where Eric returned to Golden Gate University. A year later, he earned a LLM in International Law, further expanding his legal expertise. In 2003, Eric temporarily pondered retirement when he and Cathy moved to Maple Valley, WA. Immediately determining that the quiet life was a bit too quiet, Eric opened a second law practice in Seattle, WA in 2004, and expanded his practice from commercial and business litigation to include both international and civil rights cases. By the time he retired in 2015, Eric had tried 25 jury trials and taken over 20 appeals to the Nevada Supreme Court, 12 of which became published opinions. Shortly before his retirement, Eric took a civil rights case and ultimately won an Order of Reconsideration before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which required a hearing and decision by the entire panel of eleven judges. It was a fitting end to a long and successful career.
Throughout his life Eric was a fierce defender of the civil and criminal justice system, often fighting on the side of the marginalized or less fortunate. Eric truly believed in equal access to the courts. Often referred to as the “equalizer” by family and friends for his ability to win cases when the odds were stacked against him and his client, having Eric on your side always leveled the playing field. He was an attorney of unassailable integrity with a fierce passion for the adversarial process. Eric was the perfect combination of scholar and fighter.
When not busy pursuing justice, Eric enjoyed many adventures in world travel, including trips throughout Europe, Russia, and Brazil. He was an avid reader, with a particular interest in history. Most importantly, he loved his family. In 2021, Eric and Cathy moved to Vancouver, WA, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Eric is survived by his Wife Cathy; Son Conrad and his Wife Charisse; Son Roland and his Wife Amy; Daughter Kristin and her Husband Tony; Grandchildren Daphne, Colton, Malina, Christian and Maverick; Cathy’s Mother, Zora; his Brother Stan and his Wife Katherine; Nephew Nicholas and Niece Marla, and numerous other family and friends. He was very loved and will be greatly missed.
A funeral service for Eric will be held Friday, November 11, 2022 at 12:00 PM at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 11801 SE Mt Scott Blvd., Portland, Oregon. Following the funeral service will be a committal service at 1:00 PM at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 11801 SE Mt Scott Blvd., Portland, Oregon.
Please note: these services will be concurrent with the Veterans Day observances across the street at Willamette National Cemetery, and local traffic will be heavier than usual. Please allow ample time to arrive at Lincoln Memorial prior to the 12 pm start time.
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