In Memoriam:
John Shenefield

Morgan Lewis mourns the loss of our former partner and firm Chair, John Shenefield—a man of extraordinary accomplishment in both public service and private practice—who passed away on December 9 at the age of 85. John played an essential role in the development and evolution of Morgan Lewis, forging an enduring legacy that includes his commitment to modernizing the firm to meet the changing legal industry. As a leader and mentor to many young lawyers, he took an interest in everyone at the firm and was a wonderful colleague—smart, funny, engaging, and brimming with curiosity.

John was the Chair of Morgan Lewis from 1996–1999, retiring in 2008. He spent 22 years with Morgan Lewis following an illustrious career with the US Department of Justice from 1977–1981, where he served as Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division and as Associate Attorney General of the United States. John had a brilliant legal mind with expertise and experience hard to match, and he handled some of the most complex antitrust matters of his time for a stellar roster of global companies, developing as well an enviable record of success before the US Supreme Court.

He left an indelible mark on antitrust law, serving as Chairman of the National Commission to Review Antitrust Laws and Procedures in 1978 and 1979 and on the Antitrust Modernization Commission from 2004–2007, and authoring, along with economist Irwin Stelzer, The Antitrust Laws: A Primer, a highly acclaimed book covering antitrust laws and court decisions.

John was a highly principled lawyer and leader, and very forward looking. He was an advocate for the firm's growth and was involved in exploring expansion in California, New York, and London. Well respected and connected in the Washington, DC legal community, John was active in the broader community as well, including his decades-long service on the board of trustees of the Washington National Cathedral and St. Albans School.

John was a friend and mentor to so many of the firm’s lawyers who learned a great deal from him and his focus on servant leadership. He possessed the essential qualities for leading an organization like Morgan Lewis—strategic and visionary thinking, a strong commitment to collaboration, and outstanding communication skills combined with high emotional intelligence. He was in many respects a true renaissance man with interests well beyond law in music, art, and history.

We will miss John and will remember him with deep gratitude, respect, and affection.

He is survived by his wife Judy and sons Stephen and Christopher.