Eric Yavitch - In Memoriam

1969 – 2008

On July 26, 2008, Eric Yavitch passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  This was a great loss to his family, to everyone at Yavitch & Palmer, and the entire legal community. 

Eric and I founded Yavitch & Palmer with a dream—to provide professional legal service without pretense and prejudice.  Eric exemplified these qualities.  He was a master of his craft and was held in the highest regard by his peers.  But Eric was far more than just a great lawyer.  He strove to provide individual assistance and counseling to his clients.  He sincerely cared about everyone he helped.

With Eric’s passing, it would be easy to abandon the Yavitch & Palmer tradition.  But in his honor and memory, we will continue to provide fair, honest legal representation to those in need.  In so doing, we will rely on Eric’s example as a guidepost.  He lived his life selflessly.  We should all strive to do the same.

Our sincere gratitude goes out to all who have provided support, understanding, and consideration during this impossibly difficult time.

Steve Palmer

Biography

Ohio native, Eric J. Yavitch joined forces with Stephen Palmer, in 1997, establishing the law firm of Yavitch & Palmer. Prior to forming the partnership, Eric was in private practice as a criminal defense attorney.

Listed in Martindale-Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers comprised of select firms and attorneys who have earned the AV Peer Review Rating, Eric reached this milestone at the age of 37. An AV rating shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence, has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.

Eric spent his first year of law school at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate at Capital University. While at Capital, Eric was a full-time law clerk for two area criminal defense attorneys. Eric did his undergraduate work at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio where he dual majored in Political Science and Speech Communications. While attending Baldwin-Wallace, Eric was a four-year letter winner and captain of the varsity soccer team.

Of all the accomplishments in his life, Eric was most proud to have been a father to his two children.

Lectures

• Columbus Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education seminars, covering a variety of criminal defense issues
• Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers annual Superstar seminar - Preparation and Handling of a Shaken Baby death case, October, 2006
• Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers annual Advanced DUI seminar 2000, 2006
• Lorman Educational Services - Strategies in Handling OVI Cases in Ohio 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007
• OVILAW.com - DUI conference, Key Largo, Florida, 2007
• Staff Lecturer - Dublin Counseling, 3-day Driver Intervention Program, 2004-2008
• Staff Lecturer - Wellness Group, 3-day Driver Intervention Program, 2005-2008
• OACDL (Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers) seminar 2007, 2008
• OVILAW.com - DUI conference, Key West, FL, 2008
• Presented at the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association/National College of DUI Defense jointly sponsored 15th Annual Mastering Scientific Evidence (MSE) seminar in Dallas Texas in 2008. This conference is considered one of the premier DUI seminars annually.