David
Adelman

Our long-time partner, David Adelman, passed in March 2020, at the age of 64, after a truly valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. For more than twenty years, David was the backbone of our transactional department, and the source of humor and humanity in our firm. He asked to keep his condition private because in doing so, he wanted to, and did, live every last possible day to the fullest, maximizing his time with family, friends, clients, colleagues, and fellow non-profit heroes, without concerning others.

David had a colorful life and career, working internationally in places like Puerto Rico, and absorbing himself into every dynamic industry of his clients. And, as many also knew, David’s real passion was in his non-profit work. He was a past chairman of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) and chair of its business advocacy group’s not-for-profit committee. He was a board member of New Horizons, a North Hills non-profit that works with developmentally-disabled individuals. David was a board member of Valley Presbyterian Hospital, where he found great solace and care during his illness. David and his wife Cindy Rakowitz together founded Fit 4 the Cause, a Ventura-based non-profit that provides fitness and nutrition education for underserved communities, many with special needs. Due to his generous work and exemplary service, David was honored as a finalist in 2017 for the Fernando Award, the top honor given for volunteer work in the San Fernando Valley. In 2021, VICA established the David Adelman Inspiration Award and honored the inaugural recipient at the organization’s annual meeting. The annual award will recognize community leaders whose work in the non-profit sector mirrors David’s own lifelong commitment to such service.