Peter Gruenberger

Additional Information:

Peter Gruenberger, a New York-based attorney, was born on May 19, 1937, and passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at age 86. A man of character, intelligence, and perseverance, he exemplified resilience, humility, and a deep love for his family.

Peter was the beloved husband of Dr. Carin Lamm; cherished father of Karen Abrams (Bill Abrams), Richard Gruenberger, and Dr. Laurie Gruenberger; admired stepfather of David Lamm (Maria Lamm), Dr. Suzanne Roberts (Evan Roberts), and Dr. Alexandra Lamm (Peter Weinberg); precious grandfather of Brian and Ethan Abrams, Jamie and Kyra Gruenberger, Maya and Olivia Nimowitz, Orly and Cleo Roberts, Lucy Lamm, and James Weinberg; and dear brother of Joyce Bromberg (Carl Bromberg), all of whom, along with his former wife Judy Gruenberger, survive him.

Born in Czechoslovakia  to Olga and Leslie Gruenberger, Peter and his parents fled Nazi-occupied Europe for Palestine in 1938, where they spent a year before immigrating to the Bronx, NY. He attended the Bronx High School of Science (class of 1954), where he captained the soccer team and was proud to be named most valuable player. Peter graduated from Columbia College (class of 1958), where he rowed crew and founded the student-run Columbia Refreshment Agency. He received his law degree from Columbia Law School (class of 1961), where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, decisions editor of the Columbia Law Review, and an awardee of the Charles Bathgate Beck Prize for excellence in real estate law.

Following law school, Peter served for six years in the U.S. Army Reserves as a lieutenant in the office of the Judge Advocate General. During his career in private practice, Peter worked as a trial and appellate advocate for three law firms: first, at Hughes Hubbard & Reed in New York (1961–1969); next, as senior partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges in New York and Houston (1969–2014); and most recently as senior counsel at Greenberg Traurig in New York (2015–2020).

At Weil, he was lead litigation counsel in the landmark antitrust class action representing the players in a suit against the National Basketball Association and its member teams that, among other things, rid professional basketball of the anticompetitive reserve clause. He was head litigation counsel for debtors in the three largest financial firm bankruptcy cases on record: Drexel Burnham Lambert; Enron; and Lehman Brothers. As trial counsel, Peter also represented many noteworthy clients, including BMW, Columbia Pictures, Ritz Carlton Hotels, R. H. Macy, J.C. Penny, Harper & Row, H. Ross Perot, DuPont Glore Forgan, Nomura Securities, and Bain Capital.

Peter served as an adjunct professor of law at NYU School of Law and was a founding principal member of the governing council and committee chair of the American Bar Association’s Litigation Section. Peter was also a principal at Hecht Training Group where he taught litigation and testimonial skills to lawyers and damages experts. He also volunteered as a mediator for the mediation program of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

In addition, Peter was a lifelong mentor and learner: He co-chaired a Columbia University seminar on Science and Subjectivity with Robert Pollack, former dean of Columbia College, and supported and attended classes at Columbia's Heyman Center for Humanities until the very end. Additionally, he established the Peter Gruenberger Family Scholarship for undergraduates at Columbia College.

Indeed, his commitment to his alma mater ran deep, capped off by his attendance at every home game during the years his grandson Ethan was a starting pitcher for the Columbia Lions. An avid sports enthusiast, there wasn’t a televised sport that didn’t hold Peter’s interest. Though he grew up just blocks from Yankee Stadium, he was an ardent Brooklyn Dodgers fan because of his admiration for the team that broke the color barrier. When the Dodgers abandoned New York for Los Angeles, Peter’s allegiance quickly switched to the Yankees; he rooted fervently for them—and the Rangers and the Knicks—for the remainder of his life.

Finally retiring from the law at age 83, Peter delighted in spending time with his family, playing weekly poker games with his friends, enjoying winters in Florida, and indulging in his new favorite treat, acai bowls. He will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, 630 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UJA Federation of New York.  

SHIVA

Held at the residence of Dr. Carin Lamm.

Monday 3/11

12 p.m. – 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Tuesday 3/12

4 p.m. – 7 p.m.