Jay Erens, a Chicago lawyer whose career spanned more than 65 years, died on the afternoon of Friday, October 2, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was 90.

Jay was born in Chicago to Miller and Annette Erens, who owned and ran a jewelry store on Wabash Avenue downtown. He grew up in Glencoe and attended New Trier High School. The first in his family to attend college, he left for New Haven, Connecticut at 16 and graduated summa cum laude from Yale University in 1956 with a degree in economics. He earned his law degree from Harvard magna cum laude in 1959; his classmates included Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

After law school, he clerked for Justice John Marshall Harlan of the U.S. Supreme Court. Returning to Chicago, he founded the boutique firm Levy & Erens, which he led for many years. He spent the final 25 years of his career at Foley & Lardner. In all, Jay practiced law over eight decades, from the 1950s to mere days before his passing.

One of the last true generalists, Jay was at home in nearly every area of the law, from corporate and real estate work to litigation, tax, and estate planning. His exacting standards earned his clients’ loyalty. He was a trusted advisor to them, and a number became close friends. Many colleagues considered him one of the most brilliant lawyers they had ever met and credited him with making them better at their craft.

Outside the law, Jay played piano, giving his first recital at age eight, and loved listening to classical and jazz piano. He also enjoyed photography and was a devoted foodie; many marveled at how much he could eat for a man of his trim build. Those close to him were charmed by his playful, disarming sense of humor and contagious laugh and learned much from his personal example of patience and fairness.

Jay is survived by his wife, Patrice; his children, Pamela, Brad, Rachel, and Cameron; and his brother, Michael. A private family service has been held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to RefugeeOne (refugeeone.org).