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Robbins Geller Remembers the Life of Appellate Partner Sanford “Sandy” Svetcov

 Sanford “Sandy “ Svetcov

1941-2013

Robbins Geller remembers and honors the life of its late appellate partner Sanford “Sandy” Svetcov, who died in February after an exhausting 16-month battle with pancreatic cancer.  He was 72.  Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit stated that Svetcov was “a respected lawyer who cared deeply about achieving justice for all.”

In between wearing rounds of chemotherapy, Svetcov spent his last few months doing what he loved most, appellate practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals.  He argued in front of the Ninth Circuit last May, pleading with the judges regarding a summary judgment decision that had gone against his client, pulling out all the stops in his arguments, with a legal mind honed by decades of appellate work.  A valued mentor at Robbins Geller, Svetcov refused to dwell on his diagnosis, instead staying busy with the work he loved.  Svetcov stated last year that the appellate practice was “great emotional therapy,” and that trying to solve the problem in the briefing and getting the physical strength to prepare for and give the argument had been “fabulous.” 

Svetcov was also honored last August at the 2012 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, receiving the John Frank Award, which recognizes an outstanding lawyer practicing in the federal courts of the western states.  The John Frank Award was established in 2003 by the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit at the recommendation of the Ninth Circuit Advisory Board, a group of experienced attorneys who advise on circuit governance issues.  The award recognizes “a lawyer or judge whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of law.”  The late Mr. Frank was a renowned attorney in Phoenix who, over the course of a 62-year career, argued more than 500 appeals before the Arizona Court of Appeals, the Arizona Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, other federal circuit courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Svetcov briefed and argued more than 300 cases in state and federal courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States.  He practiced law for 47 years and was considered to be the dean of appellate lawyers appearing before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  He was also well known for volunteer work on behalf of the court, including recruiting lawyers from the Northern District of California to participate in the Ninth Circuit Pro Bono Program.  He began his legal career in government service.  He worked as deputy legislative counsel to the California Legislature from 1965 to 1966, then served as a legal officer in the Navy from 1966 to 1969.  After completing military service, he served as a deputy attorney general for the State of California from 1969 to 1977.  In 1978, Svetcov joined the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California. He served as Chief Assistant for Appellate Matters from 1978 to 1981; as the Attorney-in-Charge of the office’s Organized Crime Strike Force from 1981 to 1984; and as Chief of the Appellate Section from 1984 to 1989. Svetcov was a partner in the law firm of Landels Ripley & Diamond LLP until 2000, when he joined Robbins Geller.

Partner Darren J. Robbins of Robbins Geller commented that Svetcov was “one of the most accomplished, committed and selfless people to ever grace the firm.  He touched so many of our lives with his guidance and wisdom and will be deeply missed by all of us.”

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