David Hellman served as the 1992 MCBA president and these many years later continued to prepare its tax submissions and counsel the board on financial issues. His life included service not only to MCBA, but also to the County Board of Education for 28 years where at the time of his death, he served as Vice President. And he was an active and dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Mission San Rafael.

Noted for his acumen with estate planning and tax, and 1031 real property exchanges in particular, David was both a licensed attorney and certified public accountant. He was the local expert for second opinions. He loved his work and friends often joked that he could never retire as his parents worked well into their 80s as CPAs. Tributes from other estate planning lawyers painted a portrait of a lawyer who enjoyed the collegiality of his peers and a good story. His passing is a tremendous loss to our legal community.

David was raised in San Rafael and graduated from San Rafael High School. He went on to attend UC Berkeley and then Berkeley Law School, graduating in 1972. He began practicing tax and estate planning law in 1979.

Past MCBA president Len Rifkind reflects that he and David made referrals to each other over the past 25 years, working collaboratively on many real estate transactions where David focused on the tax issues and Len on the “dirt” aspects of the deals. Len began courting David to consider hiring his son, Alex, as an associate when Alex was a One L; David in typical fashion was reserved, but moved quickly to make the “offer” when Alex graduated from law school last year. Alex and David hoped for a long professional, collegial and mentor relationship, and his passing leaves Alex and David’s staff bereft and heartbroken for the years of practice together that vaporized with his death. Let David’s passing be a reminder to everyone in the legal community of the fragile and ephemeral nature of life. We can remember the life of a gentle and good man, who by all accounts was a dedicated family man, lawyer’s lawyer, and a civic pillar of our community. May David Hellman’s memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

MCBA sends its deepest sympathy to his partner Carol Chalker of San Rafael, children Kia Hellman of Holderness, New Hampshire; Alaisha Hellman and Shaina Hellman of Rohnert Park; David Hellman of Dallas, Texas; and sister Karen Rivers of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

A celebration of life will be held from 1 pm to 3 pm on February 19 at the Elks Lodge, 1312 Mission Avenue in San Rafael. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Rotoplast International, Inc.