We mourn the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and mentor, J. Christopher Jensen.
Chris's distinguished legal career spanned more than four decades. He was an exceptional litigator and mentor to many of us, trying cases in federal and state courts across the country and earning national recognition for his work in intellectual property and commercial litigation.
Chris served as Chair of our firm for many years, guiding us through both good times and challenging periods with steady leadership, sound judgment, unwavering dedication, and, best of all, the kindness and unselfishness that made him so special. His tenure was marked by grace, resilience, and a deep commitment to the values that define our firm.
Chris was especially devoted to and proud of his loving family (his wonderful wife Gail, daughters Heather and Meredith, both of whom are accomplished lawyers, his son-in-law Jonathan Bettencourt, and his grandchildren, Daria and Malcolm).
Among his many accomplishments was his pro bono work on behalf of Edward Lee Elmore, a man wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death in South Carolina. Chris worked tirelessly with fellow trial lawyer Diana Holt for years to uncover suppressed evidence and expose prosecutorial misconduct, ultimately helping secure Mr. Elmore's release after more than 30 years in prison. It was his proudest accomplishment as a lawyer. The case, widely covered in national media, stands as a testament to Chris's compassion for those most vulnerable. When discussing Elmore's release from prison, Chris said, "It was really the greatest day of my life as a lawyer. I can't tell you there's been anything in my career as a lawyer that was as satisfying." Chris received a Thurgood Marshall Award from the Bar of the City of New York for his work on the case.
Caption: Photo of Edward Elmore, Diana Holt and Chris Jensen walking out of the Greenwood County Courthouse.
Photo used with permission from the Index-Journal, Greenwood, South Carolina
Chris's legal contributions extended well beyond our firm. Prior to joining our firm, he served as Chief of the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York from 1976 – 1980. Chris also held leadership roles in professional organizations, including the Federal Bar Council and the Eastern District Association, and recently served as General Counsel to Pharmasphere, Inc. when he became senior counsel to our firm. He was a graduate of Columbia University and received his JD from New York University School of Law cum laude, Order of the Coif.
Chris brought brilliance, rigor, and grace to the practice of law. His accomplishments were matched by his generosity of spirit and his dedication to clients, colleagues, our firm, and the pursuit of justice.
Chris was our cherished friend and his influence will remain with us forever. We will miss him very much.