Kevin Epstein informs us that long-time bankruptcy attorney and SABBA member Mel Eichelbaum passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025, surrounded by his entire family. Memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
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Mel Eichelbaum Obituary Notice link
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Melvin “Mel” N. Eichelbaum (August 3, 1942 – December 8, 2025) was a prominent San Antonio-based attorney known for his work in bankruptcy law, consumer law, and civil rights. He passed away at the age of 83.
Career and Legacy
Legal Aid Work: After serving in the U.S. Army and earning his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1967, Eichelbaum began his career as a staff attorney for the Bexar County Legal Aid Association. He represented low-income individuals and pursued significant civil rights cases, some of which resulted in landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
Private Practice & Specialization: He later became a named partner at the downtown firm of LeLaurin, Adams, Eichelbaum & Sanders and eventually became a solo practitioner, focusing on bankruptcy and consumer law.
Author and Speaker: In 2019, he published the book, The Legal Aid Lawyer, which recounts his experiences with these impactful cases from a personal perspective. He frequently gave talks on his book and cases at various organizations, including St. Mary’s Law School and the Texas Jewish Historical Society.
Community Involvement: He was an active member and leader in many organizations, including the San Antonio Bar Association, the San Antonio Bankruptcy Bar Association (where he served as president), Jewish War Veterans (Post 753), Temple Beth-El, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Awards: His advocacy and writing earned him numerous honors, including the 1985 TSTA School Bell Award for outstanding editorial writing.
Personal Life: Mel Eichelbaum was a devoted family man, survived by his wife of 58 years, Marlene, his two sons and their wives, and four grandchildren. He was known for his warmth, generosity, and strong commitment to Justice.
Source: Google AI Search
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In pulling information concerning Mel, I ran across this description regarding a book that Mel compiled about Legal Aid Lawyers, and the description also has some biographical information.
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