Mitchell Meisner, a resident of Huntington Woods, Michigan, died on June 20th, 2024 at the age of 80. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel.

Location of Service:

The Davidson/Hermelin Chapel of Clover Hill Park Cemetery

Date of Service:

Sunday June 23rd, 2024

Time of Service:

10:00 AM  

Interment at:

Clover Hill Park, 2425 E 14 Mile Rd, Birmingham, MI

Officiant:

Rabbi Joseph Krakoff  

Shiva Information:

The family will be gathering immediately following the interment until 3:00PM at Temple Emanu-El, 14450 W. 10 Mile Rd. Oak Park MI 48237 Phone: (248) 967-4020.  
See our shiva mapping options

Charitable contributions:

New Israel Fund
P.O. Box 70358
Philadelphia, PA 19176-0358
Phon: 212.613.4400

or to Weingarten Children’s Center
Foundation for Hearing Research
3518 Jefferson Avenue
Redwood City, CA 94062
Phone: (650) 365-7500

or to the International Law Students Association
701 13th Street NW, 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

or to any charity of one's choice.  

Family Members:

Mitch Meisner, real estate attorney, died on June 20, 2024 at his home in Huntington Woods, MI from pancreatic cancer. He was 80. Mitch was a partner at the Honigman law firm in Detroit, where he worked for over 40 years. He was highly respected by his colleagues and clients for his dedication, expertise, intellect, and integrity.

Mitch is survived by his wife Marcia, his children Geoff (Michelle), Amy (Tyler), and Jesse (Christy), and his brother, Jon (Caroline). He was the proud grandfather to seven grandsons: Isaac, Sutton, Marz, Brady, Shay, Zevi, and Elliott.

Mitch was born in Washington, D.C. to Alfred and Shirley Meisner. His father was an attorney for the U.S. Department of Commerce and his mother was a teacher who also worked at NOAA and in the White House under the Carter administration.

Mitch attended Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, MD. He received a B.A. in Political Science from Amherst College, a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago, and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He worked as a college professor before moving to the legal field.

Mitch was deeply involved in politics beginning with the Civil Rights Movement and had a near encyclopedic knowledge of its events and leaders. He loved to recount his experiences during that era and was particularly proud that he participated in the 1963 March on Washington where he witnessed Martin Luther King, Jr. deliver his “I Have A Dream” speech.

In October 1963, President Kennedy came to Amherst College to dedicate the Robert Frost Library. Mitch led an on-campus student protest directed at the President urging him to pass a civil rights bill. This would turn out to be JFK’s final speech.

In later years, Mitch’s academic background as a professor and his interest in international law inspired him to become active as a volunteer judge in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition every February. Mitch never lost his love of teaching and considered it a privilege to mentor young law students. He was deeply passionate about Jessup and developed meaningful and valued relationships with people from around the world. He also found satisfaction in pro bono legal work, volunteering his time, knowledge, and expertise.

Mitch, and his family have been active members of Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park, MI for many years. He served on multiple committees and was the Temple’s President from 2011-2013.

Mitch had hoped to cast his vote in this November’s Presidential election. The family asks that you get out and vote this year, to honor his memory and commitment to social justice.

Above all else, Mitch enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family and will be greatly missed.  

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