Roger H. Howard

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved partner and dear friend, Roger Howard.

Roger was a devoted husband and father, a respected leader in the legal profession and a cherished member of the Glaser Weil family. For decades, he brought extraordinary intellect, integrity and sound judgment to his work, earning the trust and admiration of clients, colleagues and friends alike.

Widely regarded as one of California's preeminent corporate, real estate and mergers and acquisitions attorneys, Roger was known for his ability to navigate the most complex business and transactional matters with creativity, precision and strategic insight. He served as a trusted advisor to national manufacturing and energy companies, financial institutions, investment banks, private equity firms, governmental entities, international businesses and countless entrepreneurs and executives who relied on his counsel.

Roger's practice spanned mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, tax matters and sophisticated real estate transactions. His real estate work encompassed acquisitions, commercial and residential development, complex ground leases, sales, restructurings, workout transactions, title matters and leasing. Throughout his distinguished career, he was recognized not only for his exceptional legal acumen but also for the practical wisdom, steady guidance and thoughtful counsel he provided to those he served.

A proud Bruin, Roger earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was recognized as the university's Outstanding Graduating Senior. He went on to receive his law degree from the UCLA School of Law.

Roger's professional accomplishments garnered widespread recognition. He was honored by the Legal 500, The Best Lawyers in America, Southern California Super Lawyers and Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel. He also received the Humanitarian Award from the Cedars-Sinai Hospital Tower Cancer Research Foundation, reflecting his deep commitment to serving others beyond the practice of law.

His dedication to community and philanthropy was equally remarkable. Roger served on Boards of Directors of a number of a number of charitable or public-facing institutions, including the J3 Foundation, Saint John's Health Center Foundation and ELNET, as well as being a member of the Board of Governors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Yet accolades and achievements tell only part of Roger's story. To those who knew him, Roger will be remembered above all for his kindness, generosity, humility and unwavering character. He was a trusted colleague, an exceptional mentor and a loyal friend whose warmth, wit and genuine concern for others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

“There are some people whose presence makes an organization better simply because they are part of it. Roger was one of those people. Roger embodied the very best of our profession. He built an extraordinary career marked by excellence, sound judgment and unwavering dedication to his clients, but those achievements were surpassed only by his character. He was generous with his time, devoted to his family and friends and deeply respected by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him. Roger brought out the best in those around him and his friendship was a gift. Roger leaves behind a lasting legacy at Glaser Weil and we are grateful for the many years we shared with him.” — Peter Weil

“Roger was one of those rare people who made an immediate and lasting impression on everyone he met. He was brilliant, thoughtful, unfailingly kind and deeply loyal to the people he cared about. Over the years, I came to admire not only his extraordinary gifts as a lawyer, but the warmth, humility and generosity that defined him as a person. And Roger made practicing law fun. There was no favor you could ask of him that was too big. I will miss him dearly.” — Patty Glaser

Roger's loss will be deeply felt throughout our firm and far beyond. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones and to the many clients, friends and colleagues whose lives he touched. His legacy of excellence, integrity and service will endure, and his memory will remain a blessing to all who knew him.

The family has asked that donations in Roger's memory be made to Cedars-Sinai at support.cedars-sinai.edu/rogerhoward.

Roger’s recent notable experience includes his representation of:

• Wyatt Technology, a pioneer in innovative light scattering and field-flow fractionation instruments, software, accessories and services, in its $1.36 billion acquisition by Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), a global leader in analytical instruments and software.
• The County of Los Angeles and one of the largest California pension funds in the reconstruction of a 900-unit multifamily project in Marina del Rey, which includes 200 apartment units for low- and moderate-income housing—one of the largest affordable housing projects in California.
• The County of Los Angeles with respect to the development of Gladstones, a Frank Gehry-designed restaurant in Malibu, CA, operated/owned by Wolfgang Puck.
• A property developer and manager regarding a significant apartment project in Palm Springs.
• World-famous directors and producers, advising on the purchase of a landmark Hollywood monument.
• Dent-ology, Inc., and HailRepair.com LLC in connection with the simultaneous sale of both companies’ assets to High Tech National, LLC, a subsidiary of publicly traded KAR Auction Services, Inc.

Results

News

Thought Leadership

• "Speculative Lending is Returning,” Los Angeles Daily Journal, March 16, 2012
• "Solving the Creditors’ Rights Quagmire," Title News, April 2010

Awards and Recognition

The Best Lawyers in America^®, 2016-2027

Southern California Super Lawyers, multiple years

Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel

Humanitarian Award, Los Angeles Cedars Sinai Hospital Tower Cancer Research Foundation

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rated

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