Michael Berenson, law partner and community leader dies; funeral today

MICHAEL ALBERT BERENSON, a true renaissance man, who was an engineer, a rocket scientist, a successful businessman and an attorney as well as a Jewish community leader, died Saturday morning, November 30, at his home, surrounded by family members. Berenson, 75, died peacefully after a 12-year battle with a rare, progressive nondegenerative process – multiple system atrophy.

At the time of his death, Berenson was a law partner in the firm Sessions, Fishman, Nathan & Israel, LLC, but he came to that career later in life following the sale of his data processing firm, Quanta Data Systems, in 1985.

A native of New Orleans, Berenson was a graduate of Isidore Newman School in 1957. He graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor of science degree and continued there, earning a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1963. He was hired as a rocket scientist during at Martin Marietta in Denver, CO during the years of the Gemini and Apollo space programs.

In 1969, Berenson returned home to New Orleans to found Quanta Data Systems, which was one of the first data processing firms, specializing in accounting, accounts receivable, payroll and inventory for hundreds of business in the Greater New Orleans area.

Following the sale of his company, Berenson enrolled at Tulane University’s School of Law, became editor of the Tulane Law Review and graduated with honors in 1990. He joined the firm of Sessions and Fishman, before being named partner there.

Over the course of three decades, Berenson was well known in the New Orleans Jewish community, having served as president of Touro Synagogue and president of the New Orleans Jewish Community Center. He was chairman of the board of Touro Infirmary and was a recipient of the Judah Touro Award for his outstanding contributions to the hospital.

Berenson is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mat Shushan Berenson, sons Andy and Mark Berenson, daughters-in-law Jamie and Brooke Barradale; sister Jill Berenson and two grandsons.

Services will be held in Berenson’s memory at Touro Synagogue on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. Visitation will begin at 12;30 p.m. Rabbi Alexis Berk will officiate.

Burial will follow immediately at Hebrew Rest Cemetery Mausoleum on Frenchmen Street, corner Pelopidas Street. Memorial donations are suggested to Touro Synagogue and Touro Infirmary. Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements. For more information call 505-835-2341.