Samuel Pisar (March 18, 1929 – July 27, 2015) was a Polish-born American lawyer, author, and survivor of the Holocaust. Over the course of a long career he advised governments and businesses on international commercial and trade matters, and for a time he also worked with the United Nations.
Early life and wartime experience
Pisar was born in 1929 in what is now Poland. As a child and teenager he lived through the Nazi persecution of Jews in Europe; he later spoke and wrote about those experiences. After the war he emigrated and rebuilt his life, eventually establishing a professional career in the United States.
Legal career
Trained as a lawyer, Pisar became known for his work on international trade and commercial law. He represented and advised a range of clients, including corporations and public institutions, and developed a reputation among peers as an influential figure in his field. At various points in his career he also had professional involvement with the United Nations, undertaking legal and advisory work related to international commerce.
Writing and public life
In addition to his legal practice, Pisar wrote books and essays drawing on both his professional experience and his life history. His publications and public speaking addressed themes of law, commerce, memory, and reconciliation. He combined roles as a practitioner and commentator, contributing to debates on global trade and the legal frameworks that govern it.
Recognition and legacy
Colleagues and commentators have described him as one of the more prominent trade lawyers of his generation. He received various honors and maintained a public presence as an advocate for remembrance of the Holocaust and for international legal cooperation.
Death
Samuel Pisar died on July 27, 2015. His life encompassed survival of immense personal tragedy, a long legal career, and sustained engagement as a writer and public figure.