Al Ferris
1936 to 2023
San Diego attorney, former Primerus Board member remembered for his smarts, insight
1936 to 2023
San Diego attorney, former Primerus Board member remembered for his smarts, insight
In his beloved San Diego, Al Ferris earned a well-deserved reputation as a larger-than-life legal figure, the kind of attorney who combined brilliance, insight, and patience with an unwavering commitment to preparation and detail.
Those were just a few of the virtues of a man who cast a giant shadow of good over the course of a career that spanned more than five decades during a life that came to an end July 20 at age 86 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The founding principal of Ferris & Britton in San Diego, Ferris launched the firm in 1968, just four years after obtaining his law degree from Stanford University, where he also received his undergraduate degree with honors. His time at Stanford, which is traditionally ranked among the top three universities in the country, helped shape the kind of lawyer he became while representing an array of blue-chip clients in matters related to corporate law, business litigation, labor, biotechnology, telecommunications, and estate planning.
In 1984, some 16 years after starting his firm, Ferris welcomed Chris Britton as a named partner, principally in charge of the litigation department. A Duke University School of Law grad, Britton had an impressive resume of his own, spending three years in the U.S. Marine Corps during the height of the Vietnam War before working at a prominent San Diego law firm as a topflight business litigator for seven years.
Britton, who retired nearly a decade ago, not surprisingly developed a special bond with Ferris while building the firm.
“Al and I were friends for 50 years and law partners for 30 of those,” said Britton in a special tribute to Ferris. “He was smart, congenial, ethical, all of those and more. I cannot imagine what my own career would have been had it not been joined with his.
Those were just a few of the virtues of a man who cast a giant shadow of good over the course of a career that spanned more than five decades during a life that came to an end July 20 at age 86 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The founding principal of Ferris & Britton in San Diego, Ferris launched the firm in 1968, just four years after obtaining his law degree from Stanford University, where he also received his undergraduate degree with honors. His time at Stanford, which is traditionally ranked among the top three universities in the country, helped shape the kind of lawyer he became while representing an array of blue-chip clients in matters related to corporate law, business litigation, labor, biotechnology, telecommunications, and estate planning.
In 1984, some 16 years after starting his firm, Ferris welcomed Chris Britton as a named partner, principally in charge of the litigation department. A Duke University School of Law grad, Britton had an impressive resume of his own, spending three years in the U.S. Marine Corps during the height of the Vietnam War before working at a prominent San Diego law firm as a topflight business litigator for seven years.
Britton, who retired nearly a decade ago, not surprisingly developed a special bond with Ferris while building the firm.
“Al and I were friends for 50 years and law partners for 30 of those,” said Britton in a special tribute to Ferris. “He was smart, congenial, ethical, all of those and more. I cannot imagine what my own career would have been had it not been joined with his.
Pekka Keloneva
Magnusson, Helsinki, Finland
Magnusson, Helsinki, Finland
Before becoming an attorney, what was your first job?
My roots are in northern Finland. I lived in Rovaniemi before I moved to Helsinki. Rovaniemi is located right at the Arctic Circle. In Rovaniemi, we have a Santa Claus village, and during high school I worked as an assistant Santa Claus. My task was to wave at the tourist buses passing by. It was a sight as I am 6 feet tall and 150 pounds, and I had to wear a pillow under my coat.
My roots are in northern Finland. I lived in Rovaniemi before I moved to Helsinki. Rovaniemi is located right at the Arctic Circle. In Rovaniemi, we have a Santa Claus village, and during high school I worked as an assistant Santa Claus. My task was to wave at the tourist buses passing by. It was a sight as I am 6 feet tall and 150 pounds, and I had to wear a pillow under my coat.
Coffee & Conversation
Monday, August 14th, 2023 at 10am EDT
Demystifying the Divorce Process in New Jersey
Rebecca Frino & Vito Colasurdo, Jr.
Mandelbaum Barrett PC, Roseland, New Jersey
Monday, August 14th, 2023 at 10am EDT
Demystifying the Divorce Process in New Jersey
Rebecca Frino & Vito Colasurdo, Jr.
Mandelbaum Barrett PC, Roseland, New Jersey
If you are interested in being featured in a future edition of the Primerus™ Weekly, please contact Katie Bundyra at kbundyra@primerus.com.
A multitude of projects spice up the summer months in Primerus
They are somewhat affectionately known as the “dog days of summer,” the time from early July to mid-August that are generally the hottest and most unbearable days of the season.
In the world of Primerus, we prefer to view that time in a decidedly different light, one that offers us an opportunity to put the finishing touches on a number of new projects and upcoming programs to be rolled out in the months ahead.
Among the headliners:
(1) A revamped Primerus website to be unveiled the first week of September, coinciding with the release of a new and improved look to our Weekly publication, which beginning on September 5th will appear in your digital mailbox each Tuesday morning.
(2) The annual Primerus Global Conference slated for October 26-28 in the historic city of Versailles, a glorious venue just
In the world of Primerus, we prefer to view that time in a decidedly different light, one that offers us an opportunity to put the finishing touches on a number of new projects and upcoming programs to be rolled out in the months ahead.
Among the headliners:
(1) A revamped Primerus website to be unveiled the first week of September, coinciding with the release of a new and improved look to our Weekly publication, which beginning on September 5th will appear in your digital mailbox each Tuesday morning.
(2) The annual Primerus Global Conference slated for October 26-28 in the historic city of Versailles, a glorious venue just
minutes from Paris, which ranks as one of the most enticing and popular cultural destinations in the world.
(3) The rapid expansion of Primerus on an international scale, particularly in nations across the African, Middle Eastern, and Asian regions.
(3) The rapid expansion of Primerus on an international scale, particularly in nations across the African, Middle Eastern, and Asian regions.
A Different Sort of Bucket List
If anyone watched snowboarding legend Shawn White’s interview after the Winter Olympics, he mentioned putting together a bucket list of things he wants to do with his newly found free time.
Interestingly, though, the human need to continually strive for that next victory or new experience is actually impacting our ability to find happiness. By managing what we want instead of what we have, we give ourselves a chance to lead more satisfied lives.
To do so, create a “reverse bucket list.” Create a bucket list; figure out what you really want out of that bucket list; and then remove the items that don’t lead to that want. (Here’s a link describing the process.)
Interestingly, though, the human need to continually strive for that next victory or new experience is actually impacting our ability to find happiness. By managing what we want instead of what we have, we give ourselves a chance to lead more satisfied lives.
To do so, create a “reverse bucket list.” Create a bucket list; figure out what you really want out of that bucket list; and then remove the items that don’t lead to that want. (Here’s a link describing the process.)
This Wellness Tip was brought to you by the Quality of Life Subcommittee of the Primerus™ Quality Assurance Board and Featured Contributor Nicole Quintana. We also welcome your tips, which can be submitted to Paige Neirman at pneirman@primerus.com for publication consideration.
February 15-16, 2024
2024 PDI Transportation Seminar
Tampa, Florida
SAVE THE DATE!
2024 PDI Transportation Seminar
Tampa, Florida
SAVE THE DATE!
International Society of Primerus Law Firms
452 Ada Dr SE
Suite 300
Ada, MI 49301