With great sadness and heavy heart, we share the passing of Carl Schuster on Thursday, December 2, at age 84. Carl was a beloved partner in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office, a valued member of the South Florida legal, business and charitable community, and a cherished family man and friend.
Carl has left an indelible mark on our firm and every person with whom he has interacted. He will forever remain a pillar of our community in every way. He was a stalwart and compassionate leader, attorney, and friend to so many at Greenspoon Marder and the regional legal and philanthropic community. Carl served as managing partner of the Ruden McClosky firm for over 25 year before joining Greenspoon Marder in 2011. His colleagues, associates and staff knew he truly cared about their professional development and family lives, while encouraging their broader contributions to our community.
Carl built a reputation over decades as an esteemed legal advisor helping clients make certain their estates pass to their desired beneficiaries in an efficient and correctly planned manner. Throughout his career, he provided innovative approaches to wealth and estate planning, and counseled countless clients to both achieve their wealth transfer goals.
“Carl Schuster was a wonderful, kind, and loving person who will be greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege of calling him our friend and colleague. He was a selfless, sweet man who dedicated his life to helping others. His warm, generous nature has always been a great inspiration to us. He leaves a legacy of kindness and treating everyone with dignity,” says Michael H. Krul, partner in the Corporate and Business practice group at Greenspoon Marder and a longtime colleague who worked with Carl for over 46 years.
Throughout his career, Carl was not only a leader to the South Florida community but passionate about giving back to it. He was on the Board of Directors of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Memorial Foundations for more than 25 years, including serving as the Chairman in 2014-2015. He served on the Board of Directors and was past President of Temple Solel, and was a fellow at the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He also was an active member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) since 1995. He served in multiple capacities on the JDRF South Florida Chapter Board of Directors, including the Leadership Giving Committee. Carl was the longest-tenured member of the Board and recruited and mentored many Board members over the last three decades. What’s more, he was the team captain of Greenspoon Marder’s “One Walk” team for many years, dating back to the very first Broward County Walk to Cure Diabetes. In 2017, he helped three people in attendance at the annual walk identify themselves as having Type 1 diabetes. Carl and his wife, Sandie, have personally donated over $50,000 during their involvement with JDRF.
Active professionally throughout his life, Mr. Schuster was regularly recognized by industry publications, including being selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America by U.S. News & World Report for Trusts & Estates, 2006-2022, and Florida Super Lawyers for Estate and Probate and Real Estate, 2006-2021. He was also recognized as a “Top Lawyer” by Fort Lauderdale Illustrated in 2021 and was rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell . Notably, Carl received the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of South Florida “Legacy Award Honoree” in 2018. “Carl was a brilliant lawyer and an influential leader not only in the legal profession but throughout our entire firm,” says Gerry Greenspoon , co-managing director at Greenspoon Marder. “His enthusiasm and passion for developing the next generation of lawyers, and his desire for others to succeed in their personal and professional life is but one true measure of this extraordinary man.”
Carl lived by a commitment to working hard, working honorably, and working in the best interests of others, not just himself. His legacy will not only continue to inspire Greenspoon Marder but all of the South Florida community. “Since the day I met Carl, I could sense he was an inspiring leader and going to teach all of us. He loved working with everyone at Greenspoon Marder, and we all loved working with him. Carl will always be in our hearts and memories,” says Michael Marder , co-managing director at Greenspoon Marder.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to his family, especially his wife of over 50 years, his children and grandchildren who so graciously shared his time with us.
“Carl lived by the principle of always doing your best within the highest ethical standards in all aspects of your life. He led by example, and I am honored to have been able to learn from him and have him be both a mentor and friend for almost 30 years,” says Beth-Ann Krimsky , partner and co-chair of the Litigation practice group at Greenspoon Marder. “His last words to me just a few weeks ago, and really so much of his legacy, were about the constant effort to do things correctly whether in practice or for charity.”
A memorial service will be held at noon on Sunday, December 5, 2021, at Temple Solel, 5100 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, Florida. Interment will immediately follow at Beth David Memorial Gardens, Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapel, 3201 North 72nd Avenue, Hollywood, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, should you seek to join the firm in contributing to Carl’s memory in light of this profound loss, Carl’s family suggests donations to be made in his honor to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital , JDRF (Diabetes Foundation) , and Temple Solel .
