Souweine a tenacious advocate, friend

By Phyllis Lehrer
Staff Writer

Published on April 10, 2009

Jonathan Z. Souweine is being remembered this week as a brilliant and zealous attorney, a fixture in the community, a devoted friend and a stellar mahjong player.

Souweine, who turned 61 in March, died Tuesday at Brigham and Woman's Hospital in Boston. He leaves his wife, Judith, and their three children.

He was diagnosed with leukemia in the fall of 2004. He endured rounds of chemotherapy and radiation before undergoing a bone-marrow transplant in the spring of 2005 at the hospital.

"He was a bright light, had a brilliant legal mind and worked diligently for his clients - and they adored him," said Northampton attorney Merry Nasser, who knew Souweine for 30 years. He was a partner in Lesser, Newman, Souweine & Nasser in Northampton for 27 years.

"It was not always easy to be on the other side," she said.

After leaving his long-time practice, Souweine launched a solo career last year. However, he kept in touch with colleagues and was in the office two weeks ago, Nasser said.

Souweine earned his law degree from Harvard University in 1972. Prior to helping to found his law firm in 1980, he worked as a staff attorney and executive director of MassPIRG, as an assistant attorney general for the state of Massachusetts and as a Democratic nominee for Northwestern district attorney.

Northampton attorney Edward Etheredge says Souweine was a tough legal opponent.

"If you were on the other side you had to work to the best of your ability. He was a hard bargainer, negotiator and truly zealously represented his clients. At times it would drive you crazy, but after, you appreciated it," said Etheredge, who started practicing law about the same time as Souweine in 1976. "He lived his life at full speed," he said.

Author Tracy Kidder of Williamsburg recalled Souweine's personal strength.

"He had a joy for life and said as much," said Kidder, whose nonfiction book "House" chronicled the construction of the Souweine family home on Bay Road in South Amherst. "He was such a forceful interesting guy. My dealings with him were upright and fair. He was tremendously energetic - not given to self pity.

Two years ago, Kidder recalled, he spent an afternoon with Souweine talking about everything under the sun. "He was very philosophical about his illness."

Talents that drove his work as an attorney were present in his relationships, acquaintances said.

"He was very, very smart and always willing to apply good intelligence and terrific common sense to any problem," said Heather Hornik, whose family shared a house with the Souweines in Pelham from 1975 to 1983. "If he tackled a problem, he was totally devoted to completing it. He never backed away and he always found something zestful in it. He would find where the fun was," she said.

"You could not have a better friend," she added. "There are hundreds of people who will claim Jonathan and Judith as their best friends and they are right. He had a talent for making every individual feel important to him.

Hornik noted Souweine's many activities, including working with MassPIRG and a watershed council. "Amherst and Western Mass. lost a strong political advocate for the public good," she said.

Joan Temkin of Pelham said one of her fondest memories of Souweine dates back to her service on the school committee. "He was very interested in educational issues. He would stand up and say he just wanted two minutes. Of course he spoke longer than two minutes. His comments were well thought out and constructive. He was a voice people listened to, looked to as they developed opinions," she said.

Temkin noted the many letters to the editor that he wrote to the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

Robin Diamond of Amherst was a golfing buddy and played mahjong, a Chinese game involving tiles, with Souweine. The tenacity he brought to his legal work could be seen at play here.

When Souweine needed help, Diamond noted, many came forward.

A Red Cross blood drive was launched in his honor after he was diagnosed with leukemia. "He attracted many first-time donors and people who registered for bone marrow matches. From that, he will probably save more lives, " said Diamond.

The drive is held the day before Thanksgiving. "It's a tradition that will continue - 'Give blood, give thanks and support Jonathan.' He's got a million friends."

Souweine also served as a role model for Diamond, particularly in how he dealt with his children. "He had a passion for being a family man," Diamond said.