Robert Lemkin, Longtime Family Law Attorney, Dies

E. Robert Lemkin, an Orange County attorney specializing in family law, has died after a long bout with cancer. He was 70.

During his four decades in law, Lemkin focused on divorce and child custody cases and frequently lectured at family law seminars. He was the first attorney in California to get spousal support awarded to a husband, said his sister-in-law, Susan Lemkin of Laguna Hills.

“He absolutely loved what he did,” she said.

Lemkin, a Newport Beach resident, was a native of New York City and attended the University of Utah School of Law. He moved to Fullerton in 1955, opening an office with James Cook, later an Orange County Superior Court judge. He moved his practice to Santa Ana in the 1970s, becoming senior partner in the law firm of Lemkin, Schilling and Millard. More recently, he was in partnership with Curtis Barnes, his son-in-law.

He practiced until six months ago, when he stopped working because of health problems. He died Thursday.

Lemkin is survived by his wife, Joy; his daughters, Hollie Machanik of Laguna Niguel, Susan Bevins of Park City, Utah, and Laury Barnes of Aliso Viejo; a brother, Laurence, of Laguna Hills; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Pacific View Cemetery in Newport Beach.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Lemkin’s name be made to the UCLA Boyer Cancer Center, 10945 Le Conte Blvd., Suite 3132, Los Angeles 90095.