James M.L. Ferber

July 21, 1947 - July 31, 2011

James M.L. Ferber, age 64, a long-time resident of Bexley, Ohio, passed away on July 31, 2011. Mr. Ferber is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Gail Ferber of Bexley; son, Scott (and Amy) Ferber of Atlanta, Georgia; daughters, Alyson (and Cris) Abramson of Bethesda, Maryland, and Julie (and Daniel) Zuckerman of Chicago, Illinois; sister, Peggy Lynn Ferber, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law, Bette (and Jerry) Friedenheim, of Allentown, Pennsylvania; and five grandchildren, William, Zachary, and Theodore Abramson and Andrew and Caroline Zuckerman. Mr. Ferber is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Adele Ferber. Mr. Ferber was born in New York, New York, and grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University and his law degree from Temple University School of Law. At the time of his death, Mr. Ferber was managing shareholder of the Columbus, Ohio, office of Littler Mendelson, the nation’s largest employment and labor law firm representing management – a position he had held since 2000. Mr. Ferber also taught labor and employment law in Japan as an adjunct professor of Capital University School of Law and formerly served as Special Labor Counsel to the Mayor of Columbus. He published numerous articles in his field; was listed in the Labor/Employment Sections of The Best Lawyers in America, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, and Ohio Super Lawyers; and was a Fellow of the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Ferber was a trial attorney with the National Labor Relations Board. Before joining Littler Mendelson, Mr. Ferber was chair of the labor and employment department of a multi-practice law firm in Columbus. Mr. Ferber was an avid mountain climber, dedicated world traveler, and renowned raconteur. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on August 2nd at CONGREGATION AGUDAS ACHIM, 2767 East Broad Street, with Rabbi Melissa Crespy and Rabbi Sharon Mars officiating. Shiva will be observed at the Ferber residence Tuesday – Thursday from 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital or Zusman Community Hospice in his memory.