* Herman Joseph Isman; Attorney

Herman Joseph Isman, a past president of the San Fernando Valley Bar Assn., who practiced law in Encino for about 20 years, has died at his home in London. He was 56.

Isman, a former resident of Encino, died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack, said his sister, Leatrice Cherniet.

Born July 21, 1934, in Chicago, Isman graduated from De Paul University College of Law in Chicago and came to California in 1960.

He soon opened a law office in Beverly Hills.

In the early 1970s, Isman moved to Encino, where he practiced law until last year, when he moved to London.

Isman was a trustee of the Los Angeles County Bar Assn. from 1980-81, president of the San Fernando Valley Bar Assn. in 1983, a Superior Court arbitrator and judge pro tem for Municipal and Superior courts in both Los Angeles and San Francisco counties, an arbitrator for the American Arbitrator Assn. and one of the founders for the Los Angeles County Superior Court Family Law Court mediator program in the 1970s.

He is survived by his wife of eight years, Karen Isman of London; son Louis Isman of Van Nuys; daughter Cindy Isman of Seattle; and sister Leatrice Cherniet of Encino.

A funeral, with burial to follow, is scheduled at noon Tuesday at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles.

Malinow & Silverman Mortuary in West Los Angeles will be handling the arrangements.

Donations can be made in Isman’s name to the American Heart Assn.