Godfrey & Kahn is saddened to announce that our long-time friend and colleague, Joe Bernstein, has passed away.

Joe was one of the firm’s first shareholders and instrumental in building the foundation upon which Godfrey & Kahn’s business and culture are based. He joined the firm as a real estate attorney in 1962 after graduation from the University of Wisconsin Law School. His undergraduate degree was from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Joe was an excellent lawyer and problem solver who combined a practical approach and a great deal of common sense with sometimes very unique and creative solutions. He was also a very generous man, not only within the community (especially Milwaukee’s Jewish community in which he was a major figure and leader) but also within the Godfrey & Kahn community. We thank Joe for the impact he made on our firm.

Joe is survived by his wife Audrey, his four children and many grandchildren.