"Early in his legal career, Bill supported the anti-war movement, the Native American Occupation of Alcatraz, and the Black Power Movement. He helped many young men apply to be Conscientious Objectors of the Vietnam War."
"In the early '70s Bill and the late attorney, Don Jelinek, became law partners, forming the Berkeley law firm of Jelinek and Samsel. For 27 years, they served the Bay Area as community lawyers. Bill practiced both civil and criminal law, frequently providing pro-bono services for clients."
"Bill was a passionate and active community member, deeply committed to working with young people particularly."
William Michael Samsel was born November 29, 1941, in Sacramento as the twin brother of Judith and died January 28, 2026, at age 84. His family operated a lettuce-growing business in California, and Bill later cultivated his parents' Sonoma vineyard into an award-winning wine. He excelled as an athlete at Watsonville High and UC Berkeley, where he graduated in 1963 before earning his JD from Boalt School of Law in 1966. Throughout his legal career, Bill championed social justice causes including the anti-war movement, Native American rights, and Black Power activism. He co-founded the Berkeley law firm Jelinek and Samsel, providing community legal services for 27 years in both civil and criminal law with extensive pro-bono work. Later, he practiced as an advocate and mediator specializing in juvenile and family law, while briefly teaching third grade before returning to legal practice.
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
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