Remembering Donald Ladov

September 28, 2007

Donald Ladov, Director and past Chairman of Cohen & Grigsby’s Labor & Employment Group and a dynamic force in the region’s labor relations scene, died Friday after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 59.

Mr. Ladov was an exceptionally skilled negotiator who was known for his uncanny ability to see beyond obstacles and master the big picture and, in doing so, was able to bring opposing parties together in well-constructed settlements.

"Don is going to be missed by his colleagues and clients for a lot of reasons," said Chuck Cohen, co-Founder and Chairman of Cohen & Grigsby. "In addition to his considerable intelligence and savvy as a lawyer, he had a remarkably quick wit. His taut but warm-hearted retorts entertained us, and added much to the congeniality of our Firm over the past 20 years."

"Donald touched the lives of many lawyers and clients," added his partner and friend for over 30 years, James Brown, current Chairman of the Firm’s Labor & Employment Group. "He provided sage advice, enduring friendship and unique perspectives and solutions to difficult problems. He will be missed by those who practiced and worked with him."

Mr. Ladov spent his early career as an attorney for the National Labor Relations Board, and he then went on to practice in the private sector. In 1988, Mr. Ladov joined Cohen & Grigsby where he continued to practice before the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance and many other regulatory agencies.

"Don was an extremely talented lawyer and a wonderful partner and friend. He contributed enormously to the culture and fabric of our Firm. He will be deeply missed," said Jack Elliott, President and CEO of Cohen & Grigsby.

Mr. Ladov was a prolific speaker, a passionate advocate, and a well-respected mentor to young talented lawyers, many of whom are now at the highest levels of labor law practice. He was listed in The Best Lawyers in America for labor and employment law, in Chambers USA America's Leading Business Lawyers where he was ranked among the most highly rated labor and employment lawyers in Pennsylvania, and in Philadelphia Magazine’s "Pennsylvania Super Lawyers."

Mr. Ladov received his B.A. in Labor Studies from Penn State University in 1970, and JD from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law in 1973. But despite his more recent affiliation with Pitt, he remained a lifelong Nittany Lion fan. He also was an avid fan of sports of every stripe, cheering the Steelers, rooting for the Pirates, and always ready to recount his coach role when the subject of his son’s little league team came up…White Sox forever!

Mr. Ladov was a dedicated family man who also loved tennis, enjoyed the theater, and was committed to the community. He was Chairman of the Board of the Riverview Towers, and active in both the United Jewish Federation and the State of Israel Bonds.

He is survived by his wife, Florri, daughter Annie, a management side labor and employment attorney in Boston, son Chad, manager of McAfee Coliseum, the stadium of the Oakland Raiders team, and step-children Jamie and Maxwell Kurke. He is also survived by his mother, Ethel Gilstein and the late Dr. Morris Ladov, brother Norman Ladov of Upper Montclair, New Jersey and brother David Ladov of Philadelphia.