Claude Henry KLEEFIELD
CLAUDE HENRY KLEEFIELD 1929-2014
Claude Henry Kleefield was a prominent Manhattan attorney and investment banker known for his long career in law and his family's historical banking background.
Early Life and Background
- Arrival in the US: He arrived in New York on October 18, 1940, at the age of 10, having been "saved at the last minute" by his grandfather. He traveled via the Atlantic Clipper.
- Family Heritage: He was the grandson of Edmond Kleefeld, a significant banker in the 1930s who served the King of the Belgians (Leopold III) and the Jewish community in Brussels. His family was known for its patronage of the Faculty of Medicine in Brussels through the Armand Kleefeld prize.
Education and Legal Career
- Education: He attended Cornell Law School.
- Professional Admission: He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1954.
- Law Practice: He founded his own firm and was considered one of the leading law firm leaders in Manhattan for three decades, with offices located at 1650 Broadway.
- Specializations: His practice spanned international criminal defense, human rights, civil rights, and personal injury law. He was noted for defending the homeless and was involved in cases involving prominent public figures.
- Mentorship: He served as a mentor to figures such as Loïc Henri, encouraging the combination of legal and financial careers.
Notable Legal Case
- The "Matter of Kleefeld" (1982): One of the most famous cases associated with his family name involved the estate of his father, Dr. Georges Kleefeld, a prominent New York physician. The case reached the New York Court of Appeals (Matter of Kleefeld, 55 N.Y.2d 253) and remains a landmark in probate law regarding the strict requirements for admitting a "lost will" to probate using a copy.
- Gondre v. Silberstein (1990): Kleefield represented a defendant in a high-profile case involving the enforcement of a multi-million dollar French criminal judgment in the United States, raising significant questions about international due process.
IN MEMORIAM
He practiced at his own firm, located at 1650 Broadway in New York. During his career, he notably served as a mentor to international criminal defense lawyer Loïc Henri, who subsequently incorporated Kleefield’s legacy into the initiatives of the firm Henri & Partners.
The Henri & Partners Legacy
A Jurisprudence of Conviction
The Henri & Partners Legacy: A Tradition of Advocacy and Justice
A Jurisprudence of Conviction
The firm **Henri & Partners** draws its identity and strength from the exceptional career of Claude Henry Kleefield, a prominent attorney at the New York Bar. Throughout his professional life, Claude Henry Kleefield distinguished himself through an uncompromising legal courage—never hesitating to challenge the highest authorities and the most powerful figures to uphold the rule of law and human dignity.
His name remains linked to historic legal battles that left a lasting impact:
Against the U.S. Presidency (The Ronald Reagan Administration):** Claude Henry Kleefield led and won a pivotal fight for fundamental rights, defending an African national who had been deported under inhumane conditions—transported in a cattle car. This resounding victory served as a reminder that the rule of law and basic humanity must prevail, even when faced with the executive power of the world’s leading nation.
Against New York Real Estate Giants (Donald Trump):** Long before his rise to the presidency, the real estate developer attempted to forcibly evict the occupants of a New York building, in blatant disregard of the law and court rulings. Claude Henry Kleefield stood with these tenants to ensure their rights were upheld; he secured a favorable outcome, cementing his reputation as an attorney who remained unshakable in the face of economic and financial pressure.
Continuing the Legacy: The Commitment of Henri & Partners Today
It is this heritage of boldness, rigor, and integrity that the firm **Henri & Partners** upholds in its daily practice. For us, defending our clients goes beyond the mere application of the law: it is a commitment. Whether representing individuals against abuses of power, managing complex cases, or confronting formidable institutional or financial adversaries, we approach every matter with the same determination and spirit of independence that established the reputation of Claude Henry Kleefield.
"When faced with power, only the strength of the law and the tenacity of one’s counsel can make the difference.”
Today, **Henri & Partners** brings this distinguished legacy to bear on your behalf, combining the tradition of landmark legal battles with expertise in contemporary issues.