Obituary of Alan I. Herman

Alan I. Herman, 87, an attorney living in Arlington, VA, passed away on February 10, 2024 after a long illness.  He is survived by his wife, Irene Szopo, two children, Cynthia Herman and Gregory Herman, as well as an abundance of friends.  A second son, David Herman, predeceased him.  He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Audrey Herman, Caroline Morin, Samantha Morin, Benjamin Morin, and his brother Seymour Herman. 

Alan was born in NYC in 1936, received a B.S. degree in accounting from New York University, a J.D. from Syracuse University and an LLM from Yale Law School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Judge Advocate, his career taking him to Germany, the Philippines, and five years each as a professor at the Air Force Academy and as an Appellate Judge on the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, among other assignments.

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, he was employed as the Clerk of the D.C. Court of Appeals and later worked for AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly.  Since 1989, he was an active mediator for the D.C. Superior Court Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division and helped train new mediators.  A strong proponent of low bono legal services, he assisted in founding DC Refers, a network of affordable lawyers who represent modest-means clients at below-market rates.  

He was also a member of the Alexandria Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society and the Arlington Philharmonic.  A voracious reader, he appreciated the arts, traveling, and museums. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and at his cabin in the mountains. He was a lifelong animal and wildlife lover.  He was an avid tennis player at the ANCC, where he was a member.  We will forever miss his great sense of humor and positive outlook on life. 

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alexandria Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, or the Arlington Philharmonic.