It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dear friend and colleague, Daniel J. Furniss. One of the founders of the law firm of Khourie, Crew & Jaeger, Dan joined Townsend in 1993 when the two law firms merged. For many years, Dan set the standard for trial advocacy at Townsend. Dan’s brilliance as a lawyer and advocate earned him the respect and admiration of everyone who witnessed his skill in the courtroom. Outside of court, he was known by all as a trusted advisor and counselor who could always be called on to provide a reasoned and sound opinion. He combined legal acumen with a unique sense of humor, enormous energy and a style that conveyed his passion for life and his love of the law.
In 2006, Dan was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, an honor bestowed on only the most gifted trial attorneys in the U.S. This personal and professional recognition mirrored what everyone knew and loved about Dan – that he was deeply committed to his craft and simply relished the practice of law. While he represented large and successful businesses from all over the world, Dan never lost his commitment to the underrepresented. In all things, Dan retained the sense of justice and fair play he cultivated as a young lawyer in the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office and embodied those values throughout his professional career. In recent years, his zealous advocacy earned landmark results, including a precedent-setting antitrust ruling from the California Supreme Court, a $1.1 billion class action settlement against Microsoft and substantial settlements for Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) against more than a dozen companies accused of infringing CSIRO's landmark wireless technology patent. Dan’s work defined his spirit: regardless of the odds, he stood up resolutely for every client and would not give up the fight until victory was assured.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan and his family at this difficult time. He will be greatly missed.
On Behalf of the Partners and Employees of Townsend and Townsend and Crew,
- James G. Gilliland, Jr.
Family and friends gathered for services in honor of Dan at Stanford Memorial Church on the Stanford University campus on Wednesday, February 10th.
A scholarship fund in Dan's memory is being established at Stanford. Checks may be made out to Stanford University with a notation in the memo line that the gift is in memory of Daniel J. Furniss. Checks may be sent to:
Gift Processing
Attn: Kendra Willis
P.O. Box 20466
Stanford, CA 94309-0466
Donations may also be made over the phone by calling (866) 543-0243 or online at: http://givingtostanford.stanford.edu/.