Jewish Legal Community to Honor Robert Sulkin Tonight

At this year's L'Dor V'Dor End of Year Reception being held tonight at 6pm at Smith Tower, the Cardozo Society of Washington State will honor Robert "Bob" Sulkin for his lifelong dedication to both the Jewish and legal communities in Washington State.

From Seattle Magazine to Washington Law and Politics, Bob Sulkin has been recognized for his legal work in more "Best Attorneys" lists than we can include in a bio. Yet, his achievements extend far beyond the legal arena.

Sulkin moved to Seattle from Chicago (with living on a kibbutz in Israel in between) in 1984. His work in law eventually led him to the firm of McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren, where he is now the managing partner.

Sulkin could be called a lawyer's lawyer as he represents many major law firms in town. But you might also know him as the attorney who represented Rick Neuheisel in his contentious, 19-month battle with the NCAA and the University of Washington over his early termination as head coach.

However, Sulkin's greatest personal accomplishment in his career, he explains, is his first jury trial as a young lawyer. "It was a tough case that would have been easy to just settle. Looking back, I am proud my clients and I took the risk on the case, which turned out to be successful when no one thought there was a chance."

He is clearly still not shy about taking things on. Sulkin is the board president of the Jewish Day School and on the board of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. But helping start Hope for Heroism, which gives critical and immediate help to disabled Israeli combat soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the safety of the Jewish people, stands out as a seminal moment for him. "[Hope for Heroism] combines the essence of Judaism: showing our commitment to Israel and her people and doing what Judaism teaches us—repairing the world."

This passion for Israel and Judaism come from a man who claims he took being Jewish for granted as a child. Like so many others, his first trip to Israel and experiences living on a kibbutz kick-started his Jewish journey, which continues to evolve.

"Judaism is my North Star. It gives meaning to life when you are helping someone else. That is what Judaism is all about."

Make a tribute to Bob at www.JewishInSeattle.org/Tribute.