Death of Joel Kay 5/17/24 (5/23/24)

Joel Kay passed away on 5/17/24. His obituary is from JHV Online is here. Regarding his DOJ service, the obituary says:

Joel began his professional career as a lawyer in 1963 when he worked in Washington, D.C. with the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

From 1967 through 1969, Joel served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Texas. During this time, he also graduated with a Master of Laws degree in taxation from Georgetown University.

My database indicates that Joel served in the Tax Division General Litigation Section from 1963-1967.

Death of Cory Johnson 5/7/24 (5/10/24; 5/19/24)

Cory Johnson died May 7, 2024. His obituary is here.

From an email by David Hubbert:

All - I am saddened to share that yesterday we learned Cory Johnson, Senior Litigation Counsel, passed away unexpectedly. 

Cory joined the Tax Division from private practice and a state Attorney General’s office in 2005 and served as a trial attorney in the Court of Federal Claims. He became a Senior Litigation Counsel in 2010. Cory was a uniquely talented trial attorney and, in recognition of that skill and dedication, he received the Distinguished Senior Professional Presidential Rank Award in 2021, the only litigating attorney in DOJ to receive the honor that year. 

Anyone who worked with Cory, whether colleagues, opposing counsel or judges, learned he was a highly skilled and effective litigator. Over the years Cory successfully handled some of the Division’s most novel, complex, and high-profile cases. At the time of his death Cory had just finished trial in Exxon and was preparing for a jury trial in a conservation easement case to begin next week. Those who worked on a trial team led by Cory received a master class thanks to his guidance, example, and notable leadership. He was a friend and mentor to many in the Division, and Cory could always be counted on to give his honest counsel, sometimes with a bit of sly humor.  

These few words only begin to capture all that Cory achieved and contributed to the Tax Division. We are all better for having counted Cory as our friend and colleague. He will be deeply missed.

Death of Rachel Cramer on 4/30/24 (5/10/24; 5/11/24)

Rachel Cramer died April 30, 2024. Her obituary is here. From her obituary:

After graduating from the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law in 1983, she moved to Washington, DC, and began her legal career working for several small- and medium-sized firms before joining the Department of Justice in 1991. In 2001, Rachel was appointed Director of Training and Professional Development, a position she held at the time of her death.

From an email written by David Hubbert:

Rachel joined the Tax Division from private practice in 1991 and served as a trial attorney in Civil Trial Section, Central Region for more than 10 years. In July 2001, Rachel was named the Division’s Director of Training.

Rachel was more than just the Director of Training for the Division. She was a friend and mentor, confidante and resource for many of us. She believed in the Division’s mission and worked tirelessly to that end. But Rahcel’s real passion was working for us as individuals to make sure each of us had the tools and resources we needed to be engaged in our work and to be the best we can. She believed in collaboration and community and worked on both in the Tax Division. Rachel had a vast array of contacts within and outside the Division and was often advocating on behalf of the Division and its staff to the Department’s senior leaders, the National Advocacy Center, and others. Her years of experience in a trial section and working with people throughout the Division informed her work developing and implementing various training and developmental programs to benefit the Division. Some would say she was a force of nature, with little patience for unnecessary actions that wasted time. The Division is a better place for all of Rachel’s work. 

The obituary says that there will be a Celebration Of Life, Jun. 8, 2024, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Taqueria el Poblano, 2503A N. Harrison Street, Arlington, VA 22207. [The address was added on 5/11/24 10:30am]