David W. Carpenter 1950 - 2022
David William Carpenter passed away on July 22, 2022, a year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his family at home.
David lived an extraordinary life and exemplified the values of humility, equanimity, tenacity, kindness, and the pursuit of knowledge. He was loved and appreciated by so many, particularly those in the legal profession, the Iyengar yoga community, other non-profit organizations, and of course, his family and friends.
David was the oldest son of Bill and Dorothy Carpenter and grew up in Hinsdale, IL, with his four younger siblings. He attended Hinsdale Township High School where he excelled at athletics and served as senior class president.
David went on to attend Yale University where he majored in philosophy and graduated cum laude. He attended law school at Boston University and served as articles editor of the law review. Upon graduating, David clerked for Judge Frank M. Coffin of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and then for Justice William J. Brennan of the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1978, he began working at Sidley & Austin LLP in Chicago.
During his illustrious legal career with the firm, David focused on the analysis of complex antitrust, regulatory, and constitutional issues in the telecommunications, cable television, and electric industries and in appellate cases involving all areas of the law. He argued five cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, briefed over 20 additional cases that the Supreme Court decided on the merits, and argued over 65 cases in federal courts of appeals and state appellate courts. David was twice named the Best Lawyers', Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement "Lawyer of the Year," in Chicago, and he was listed in Best Lawyers In The United States and ranked tier one in Chambers USA in Communications for many years. He was a partner at Sidley from 1982-2013 and continued as senior counsel until 2015.
In 1999, in his free time, David began practicing Iyengar yoga. Yoga became a passion that he pursued for the rest of his life, first as a student and, later, as a teacher. For David, the practice of yoga grew to be foundational to his belief system and way of life, ultimately shaping his approach to health and illness. David strove to embody his belief that the goal of yoga is to "still the mind and access a deep layer of consciousness characterized by silence and clarity." David's commitment to Iyengar yoga led him to serve the Iyengar National Association of the United States (IYANUS) as treasurer and then president. David and his wife, Orit, attended workshops and month-long intensives at the Iyengar Institute in Pune, India. Upon achieving certification as an Iyengar instructor, David taught yoga classes for several years after he retired and continued teaching up until shortly before he died. For his dedication and outstanding volunteer service, IYANUS awarded him the Lighting the Way award.
During much of his adult life and after retirement, David served on the boards of various organizations to which he felt a personal connection. He was a long-time supporter and board member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the DuPage Children's Museum, which was co-founded by his late mother. David also served on the Executive Committee of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law.
Of his many accomplishments, David's family was his pride and joy. In 2001, he met Orit, the love of his life, and they married 3 years later. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Steve; and his sister, Carol. He is survived by his wife, Orit; his daughters, Hanna and Julie; and his 4 grandchildren, as well as his brothers, Don and Doug.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in David's honor to Project Purple or the Lyric Opera of Chicago.