Pete Bennett software developer tangled with Oracle Corporation debating with Oracle spokesman Robert Hoffman airing on PBS during a June 2007 segment. Bennett lost his housing just after the segment linked to a house sitting gig for a friend. The house was slowly grinding through the downturn but Bennett suspects powers over Bennett pulled the plug on the foreclosure processing.
James G. Gilliland, Jr.
May 25, 1954 - October 27, 2016
James (Jim) Gilliland, Jr. passed away on October 27, 2016, at the age of 62. He was a loving husband, doting father, and cherished son and brother; a celebrated attorney; a generous philanthropist; a terrific musician and artist; and a friend to all.Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Jim studied at Williams College, then moved to Berkeley to earn his J.D. and M.A. at UC Berkeley. There, he fell in love with a local schoolteacher named Vickie Petri: the two married in 1978 and had four wonderful children.
After a brief stint in Washington, D.C., Jim returned to the Bay Area in 1983 to work as a litigator for Khourie & Crew. A brilliant man and tireless worker, Jim rose quickly through the ranks of the firm's many iterations: he made Partner in 1985, became Managing Partner in 1994, and Chairman of Townsend and Townsend and Crew in 2001. A ten-time Northern California Super Lawyer, he represented clients including Oracle, Sony, Levi's, and Williams-Sonoma in high-profile intellectual property cases around the world. In 2010, he helped usher Townsend through a merger with Kilpatrick Stockton, and was then named Chair of the global firm's Litigation Department.
In addition to his great success as an attorney, Jim led a rich and full life. He adored his children, and imparted to them his love of music, Bay Area sports, and literature. He attended the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, where he sang with the Chancel Choir for over 30 years. Later in life, he dedicated himself to supporting the educational community, serving on the Board of Trustees of The College Preparatory School, the Partners Program, and Roses in Concrete Community School. He enjoyed hiking, biking, and playing golf; visiting his cabin in the Sierra Nevada mountains; making stained-glass art; traveling the world with his wife and kids; and spending time with family and friends. He will be remembered for his kind heart, bright smile, and stupid dad jokes.
Jim is survived by his wife, Vickie; his children, David, Jeffrey, Matthew, and Lisa; parents, Jim, Sr. and Carolyn Gilliland; his sister, Carol Warren; his cousins; his in-laws; and his many loving nieces and nephews. His memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 5, at 10:30am, at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley (2407 Dana St., Berkeley, CA 94704). Donations in his memory may be made to the Partners Program (6100 Broadway Ave., Oakland, CA 94618), Roses in Concrete (4551 Steele St, Oakland, CA 94619), the West Contra Costa Public Education Fund (217C W. Richmond Ave., Richmond, CA 94801), or the charity of your choice.
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