Wendy Landes, Family Law Attorney Mediator

Article originally published by the staff or Palisadian Post on March 20, 2013

Wendy Rosen Landes passed away on March 14, at her home in Pacific Palisades, surrounded by family and friends. She was 58.

Born and raised in New Rochelle, New York, Wendy earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from the Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University (1980). She met her husband, Robert Landes, in New York City and in 1993 they moved to Los Angeles with their three children, Ali, Matt and Jackie.

Wendy, formerly a family-law litigator, devoted her Santa Monica practice to resolving family-law cases out of court. She dedicated a large portion of her career to educating the public on alternative divorce options. Wendy chaired the Alternative Dispute Resolution (now known as Consensual Dispute Resolution) Standing Committee, South, of the State Bar of California Family Law Section and inaugurated the programs on ADR topics at Pepperdine University. She also improved the ADR community’s connection with the Superior Court family law judges and introduced them to collaborative divorce during her tenure. She worked tirelessly to achieve the aims of this committee.

Wendy was an avid tennis player, and an incredible wife and mother to her three children. She was diagnosed with de-differentiated liposarcoma in 2008. The journey was extremely difficult for Wendy, but she was uplifted by the inspiring efforts of her three children, who founded “The Wendy Walk” in conjunction with the Liddy Shriver Foundation. Since 2010 the walks in New York, L.A. and Miami have raised over $1.3 million to held fund international collaborative research on liposarcoma.

Wendy’s incredible faith, positive energy and determination made her an example not only to people fighting cancer, but to everyone who knew her. She was not defined by her cancer. Her courage, determination and will to live gave hope to those touched by orphan diseases. She lived life to the fullest, enjoying her family and friends even in the hardest of times. Wendy fit in biking, hiking, skiing, spinning and traveling during her treatments.

She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Robert; her children, Ali, Matt and Jackie; her parents, Rita and Philip Rosen; her sister Phyllis and her brother Michael, and their families.

A memorial service was held at Kehillat Israel Synagogue in Pacific Palisades. More than 600 people filled the sanctuary, chapel and social hall.

Donations in Wendy’s memory can be made to The Wendy Walk (www.wendywalk.com).

                       

Managing Editor

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