Passing of Derek Sarafa

Winston & Strawn has suffered a great loss in the untimely passing of Derek Sarafa. Derek died suddenly at his home in Birmingham, Michigan, on November 1, 2015. His passing is a great professional and personal loss for Winston, especially for those who were fortunate to work with him during his 17 years at the firm.

Derek joined Winston & Strawn in 1998 as an Associate after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School and achieved the level of Partner in the Litigation Department. He focused on commercial litigation, intellectual property litigation, and sports industry matters, earning recognition as a leading young attorney both in Illinois and nationwide.

When Chicago Lawyer selected Derek as one of the “Top 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40” in 2011, the magazine described him as having “an exceptional work ethic,” as being an “aggressive and agile questioner,” and as demonstrating advocacy “on par with the finest” that one federal judge had seen in his 23 years on the bench.

Derek will be greatly missed by all of us. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial tributes be made to Angels’ Place, St. Francis Home Endowment, 29299 Franklin Road, Suite 2, Southfield, Michigan 48034.