Martin Elliot Silfen, 81, entertainment lawyer and professor of law, of Virginia Beach, died unexpectedly Friday, April 21, 2017.
Martin was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 11, 1935, to Samuel and Henrietta Silfen. He graduated from Hobart College in 1957 with a bachelor of arts, and in 1960 from Brooklyn Law School. His offices were located in Manhattan, where he was an entertainment and sports lawyer. He held counsel for musicians like Blondie, LL Cool J, Aerosmith, REM and Dave Matthews.
On May 16, 1993, he married his beloved Dory and then moved to Virginia Beach, where he worked with Mays Valentine, Troutman Sanders as well as teaching law at William & Mary and University of Virginia. As a Fulbright Scholar, he lectured in South America.
Martin is survived by his loving wife, Dory S. Silfen; his children, Jane, Lisa and Larry; six grandchildren, Jennifer, Bradley, Danielle, Jeremy, Andrew and Benjamin; stepchildren, Erik and Heidi; step-grandchildren, Sam, Jack and Sofia; and siblings, Stuart and Judy.
He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who know him.
A funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at the Beth David Cemetery in Elmont New York. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Temple Emanuel in Va Beach.
