Jeffrey F Liss

Jeffrey F. Liss, 55, a highly regarded environmental and business litigator who was an adviser to government officials and co-managing partner of the U.S. division of the international law firm DLA Piper, died of pancreatic cancer March 17 2007. Mr. Liss, who was best known as an authority on environmental and insurance coverage law, was also a prolific writer of op-ed columns, an adjunct instructor at Georgetown University Law Center and an unpaid special government employee during the Clinton administration, for which he vetted candidates for Cabinet-level positions. He also served as an adviser to then-Vice President Gore and to Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) during his 2004 presidential campaign. Mr. Liss graduated from the University of Michigan, where he also received a master's degree in history and a law degree, both in 1975. He also served as notes editor for the university's Journal of Law Reform and became a devout fan of Michigan football. Mr. Liss began his legal career in 1975 as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Charles R. Richey. He worked at Wald, Harkrader & Ross, as an associate and then a partner, before joining Piper & Marbury in 1985. Survivors include his wife, Susan M. Liss of Chevy Chase; two children, Joanna Liss Strait of Washington and Harrison Liss of Chevy Chase; and two sisters.