JUNEAU, AK, March 01, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Max F. Gruenberg Jr., Esq., with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Gruenberg celebrated many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Max F. Gruenberg was born in San Francisco, CA (mother Dorothy Lilienthal Gruenberg and father Max Gruenberg, Sr.) on September 25, 1943 during WWII while his father served in the army. He was the only child to this couple. Jacque Schnier, his soon to be stepfather, a renowned artist, also served in WWII. Mr. Gruenberg, Jr. showed his respect for the military both by serving and by paying close attention to military needs during his legislative years. His childhood education included Boy Scouts where he reached the level of Eagle Scout. From a young age he wanted to live in Alaska, taking the best laws from around the country in an effort to make Alaska the best run state in the union. (At the time of his death he belonged to the Council of State Government's committee on Suggested State Legislation {SSL}, which selects 30 of the best laws in the country to distribute to all state legislators.)
After graduating from Stanford in1965, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science (and completing NROTC training), Mr. Gruenberg began serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy (1966 - 1967). In Vietnam he was a gunnery officer on an LST supply and transport ship, thus receiving a Decorated Vietnam Service Medal with Three Battle Stars and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
While he was getting his law degree at the University of California (1967-1970), Los Angeles, Mr. Gruenberg spent summers in Alaska founding the Alaska Law Review. After graduation (1970) he moved to Alaska, working as law clerk to Justice Roger Connor on the Alaska Supreme Court. After a few years of working for Alaska Legal Services Corporation Mr. Gruenberg revived his interest in politics working for Alaska Senator Ted Stevens in Washington D. C. as his top legislative aide. At the time, Senator Stevens was in the minority but was highly effective in getting his legislation passed, setting an example which would serve Mr. Gruenberg well in the future.
When Mr. Gruenberg returned to Alaska he partnered with several other attorneys eventually creating the firm Gruenberg, Clover and Holland. Mr. Gruenberg was a member of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and had a Martindale Hubble peer rating of "AV," the highest rating possible. He served as chairman and co-chairman of the Family Law Section of the Alaska Bar Association. His seminal case, Flores v. Flores, decided in 1979 by the Alaska Supreme Court is still the law. The case established that an indigent party has a right to court-appointed counsel in a child custody case when the other party is represented by an entity such as Alaska Legal Services Corporation or The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Legal Program.
In his initial bid for state office Representative Gruenberg, a Democrat, won the election by a large margin. He first served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1985 - 1993, serving as the House Majority Leader twice during that time. The second term as the House Majority Leader he served over a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. After the Exxon Valdez spill Representative Gruenberg chaired the committee to approve or disapprove the settlement. But after reapportionment he was not re-elected. Ten years later, after the next reapportionment, Representative Gruenberg was once again elected and served from 2002 - 2016, this time during a Republican majority. As a minority member he was very effective getting his legislation through. His nickname was "The Great Amender". With his passion for accuracy and knowledge of the system he used amendments to help legislation to more accurately reflect its intent. Representative Gruenberg often worked on bills he did not want to pass because he wanted all legislation leaving the body to be well written and have the least possible unintended consequences. Before drafting such an amendment, Representative Gruenberg did his best to inform a bill's sponsor.
Known for his humor Representative Gruenberg would defuse tense situations, enliven a dull afternoon, and uplift those around him. He authored poems, such as "Ode to a Rat," or rewrote the words to songs to highlight bills and legislative occasions.
Also known as a gentleman, Representative Gruenberg offered to mentor new legislators and staffers regardless of political leanings. He knew about the lives of the custodians, cooks, and other support personnel.
During the 2015 — 2016 legislative session Representative Gruenberg was very involved with a rewrite of Alaska's military disciplinary codes, a property transfer on death bill, an arson bill, and a ground breaking "pet bill" which, among other things, gave judges the authority to decide pet custody in divorce cases based on the needs of the pet. All those bills passed, some after his death.
On February 14, 2016, Representative Max Gruenberg, Jr. died unexpectedly in his legislative home in Juneau with his wife, Kayla Epstein, by his side. He was 72 years old. Upon his passing the Speaker of the House of the opposite party noted that Representative Gruenberg was involved in more pieces of legislation than any other legislator in the history of Alaska due to his unwavering commitment to the good of the system. The Alaska State House and Alaska State Senate, both with Republican majorities, unanimously passed a bill naming the House Judiciary Room after Representative Gruenberg. Governor Walker, a Republican, signed it. The Municipality of Anchorage, where Representative Gruenberg lived and represented a district, dedicated Fire Station 3 to him because of his commitment to all first responders. The Coast Guard gave Representative Gruenberg a burial at sea in Alaskan waters to honor him for his work on military issues.
Representative Gruenberg's first bill was to take asbestos out of schools; he wrote the first "kiddie" seat belt bill; added conspiracy to arson laws; and created a senior alert bill. His favorite bill helped unite willing adopted children and their willing biological parents. His contributions to the welfare of Alaskans are too numerous to list.
Max Gruenberg, Jr. leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Kayla Epstein, son Bruce Gruenberg from his first marriage, daughter-in-law Sionnon Gruenberg and two grandchildren, Beccan and Delilah, and son Daniel Gruenberg from his second marriage, brother, Claudio Lilienthal Schnier, sister, Rebecca Lilienthal Schnier, brother Raoul Gruenberg, sister Marcela Gruenberg Wilbur, and aunt Terry Lilienthal.
During Mr. Gruenberg's life he stood out as a singular person. He was a person of many talents and achievements who lived in the moment and radiated contentment with life. And, although his persona was up-beat and positive and listened fully to others, he also knew how to stand his ground, was fearless, and was respected more for who he was than any position he attained.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to his profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Max F. Gruenberg Jr., Esq., has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
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