Jerome Marks
Jerome Marks, 52-year Belvedere resident, passed peacefully on May 22nd surrounded by his wife, two daughters, and a beautiful bouquet of roses from his garden that he cherished so much. Jerome approached life with the utmost integrity, conviction, and unending generosity, but above all else was fiercely devoted to his family.
Born in Los Angeles, California, on July 14th, 1939, to Harry and Sally Marks, Jerome was the eldest of three brothers. He attended Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, and he received his Bachelor of Art in Political Science from UCLA in 1961. He was the first of his family to graduate college. He further continued his educational pursuit and received his Juris Doctor from UC Hastings College of the Law in 1964, and a Masters of Law in Litigation from New York University School of Law in 1965. Jerome was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1965 and practiced law continuously until the year of his passing.
Jerome started his 59-year love affair with the law as an associate with Lerer, Moltzen, and McAteer, a small general practice firm where he did civil trial work. He later became a partner in the firm of Winston, Katz, Marks & Hill. In 1970, Jerome commenced his journey as sole practitioner, until he was lucky enough to be joined by his eldest daughter, Elizabeth Marks McAndrew in 2001. Jerome was a brilliant man who had an incredible knowledge of the law, but it was his compassion, creativity, limitless listening skills, and tenacity that made him an extraordinary lawyer, leader and mentor in his field. It led him to meet many great clients, many of whom now are considered family.
Jerome inspired generations of future lawyers teaching at Lincoln Law School in San Francisco in the fields of civil procedure, evidence and appellate practice, and at UC Hastings College of the Law as assistant and associate professor of law and director of Moot Court Programs. Jerome was a member of the board of the Hastings College of Trial and Appellate Advocacy, adviser to the State Bar of California Rules of Court Committee, disciplinary judge for the State Bar of California, director and officer of the Barristers Club of San Francisco, president of the Hastings Alumni Association, and president of the Lawyers Club of San Francisco. In 1990 Jerome was the recipient of the Hastings College of the Law Alumnus of the Year Award.
Jerome believed his greatest accomplishment was his 55-year marriage to his wife, Monique, and raising his two daughters, Elizabeth and Veronique. He met Monique, an au pair from France, on a blind date at Stinson Beach in 1968. Jerome and Monique married in three separate ceremonies to honor their respective cultures and religions. The first, a year after they met at Temple Judea. The second, a few months later in Monique’s home town in the south of France, and their third, at Saint Peter and Paul’s in San Francisco.
Jerome and Monique shared a love for traveling. They traveled back to France yearly to stay connected with Monique’s family and friends. Jerome loved that he was born on Bastille Day, and jokingly would remind everyone that France would throw a fireworks show in his honor. They traveled extensively throughout Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia. His last trip to France was in September of 2022 for his grandnephew’s wedding.
Jerome was an avid runner. He ran the Bay to Breakers every year with his daughter Elizabeth since 1982. On his 50th birthday, he ran his first marathon, completing seven in his lifetime, with the last one at age 75.
Jerome is survived by his wife of 55 years, Monique; daughters Elizabeth (McAndrew) and Veronique and their spouses; grandchildren Liam, Lemoní, Keelin, and Eloise; brother and sister-in-law Donald and Claire and their family; sister-in-law Simone (Guimbal); nieces and nephews Régine, Laurence, Jean-Philippe and their respective families; and many cousins.
Jerome was larger than life and one of a kind. He will be deeply missed. A celebration of life will be held at the family home in July. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Dr. Wei Ai, MD PhD Lymphoma Research Fund, UCSF.