Tribute: Minnesota Law Mourns the Passing of Michael Berman ’64

Michael Berman ’64 passed away earlier this month after a short illness at his home in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his beloved spouse, Debbie Cowan. Berman, a Minnesota native, notably served as deputy chief of staff and counsel to Vice President Walter Mondale ’56 and as a subsequent advisor to several elected officials.

He began his legal career in private practice in Minnesota, after earning his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1964. His public service began in the Office of Attorney General for the State of Minnesota and he went on to serve in then Senator Mondale's Senate office as Counsel. When he left the White House he joined the law firm of Kilpatrick and Lockhart and later formed the Duberstein Group and became a successful lobbyist and advisor to many companies and organizations. He served on the Board of the Brady Campaign and was a lifelong advocate for gun safety as well as on the Board of the Children's Inn and the Human Rights Campaign where he was a stalwart champion of civil rights.

Berman’s passion was politics and he practiced it with a depth of knowledge and an analysis of data unlike anyone else. His newsletter, "Mike's Washington Watch" was “required reading for anyone interested in politics since 2007,” his obituary says, “with the most recent issue published in December.”

His obituary also reports that “His political acumen was usually prescient, but it was his restaurant and bathroom reviews that kept his readers laughing.”

Berman served as the scheduler for the Democratic National Convention from 1968 to 2004, managing the podium and keeping politicians and speakers on track. His mentorship over the years of Democratic National Convention leadership was renowned.

Berman received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from his beloved University of Minnesota in 2010 and he gifted his extensive collection of political memorabilia to the University. 

In 2006, he wrote a book with Laurence Shames about his experience with his obesity called "Living Large: A Big Man's Idea on Weight, Success and Acceptance". It was a personal tale of his struggles with his weight throughout his life. 

Berman was married for 42 years to his first wife, Carol Berman who passed away in 2007. He and Debbie Cowan were married in 2012. In addition, to Debbie, he is survived by their three children and their spouses Rachel and Dr Steven Feinleib, Ben and Jen Cowan, and William Cowan and their four grandchildren and his two sisters Sheila Teitelbaun and Nance Alexander, and a large community of friends and admirers. A memorial service will be held soon.

Afer graduating from the Law School, Berman took a job with Walter Mondale, then Minnesota attorney general. Mondale was leading the state’s effort in President Lyndon B. Johnson’s successful run to remain in the White House.

Berman was by Mr. Mondale’s side after he was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1964 (filling the seat recently vacated by Vice President Hubert Humphrey) and then as President Jimmy Carter’s vice president, serving as Mondale’s deputy chief of staff and counsel.

Read a tribute to Michael Berman ‘64 in the Washington Post and his obituary for more information. A memorial or service for Michael Berman will be planned soon.