In Loving Memory … Tammy JoAnn Reiss

  


Tammy Reiss, head of the appellate department at Fieger, Fieger, Kenney & Johnson, passed away May 29, 2006 after a tragic bout with cancer. She was 46.
Reiss had worked at the Fieger Firm for seven years, during which time she persuaded Geoffrey Fieger to create the appellate department.

“She was exceedingly bright, and very dedicated,” Fieger said. “She convinced me it was important that this firm, with as many cases as we handle, that we needed a department exclusively dedicated to appellate work, to have cases decided for our side not only in the trial courts, but on appeal.”
Attorney Arnie Matusz isn’t surprised that Reiss was able to sway her boss to invest in her idea.

“Tammy was very, very smart. Even if you didn’t agree with her, she would explain things in such a way that you would end up saying, ‘okay, she’s right’,” Matusz said.

Matusz described Reiss as a respected attorney and good friend.

“If she didn’t like you, you knew it, but if she liked you, she would do anything in the world for you,” he said. “She was a fun person, but when it came to work she was no-nonsense.”
Matusz and Reiss were bound by their love of hockey.

Reiss had season tickets to the Red Wings, and her office was covered in hockey memorabilia. Matusz recalls once, Reiss saw the “Russian Five” eating at the Southfield

 
  Towne Center. Before the players were finished with their meal, Reiss had rushed off, tracked down a Wings jersey, and brought it back for them to sign.

Aside from hockey, Riess loved animals – especially cats. In addition to her own pets, she fed, sheltered and neutered strays.

Reiss also had a close-knit circle of friends and family who took care of her while she was ill. During her last days she made a trip to the Carribbean to visit a friend, and brought back rum for her colleagues.

Employees at the Fieger Firm often stopped by her office to raid her candy dish.

Reiss was born in Bay City and moved to Metro Detroit in 1983. She graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1982, and earned her Juris Doctor from Detroit College of Law in 1986.

Before becoming an attorney, she worked as a journalist for several newspapers, and her flair for research and writing was reflected in her legal documents, which were more well-crafted than most.

Reiss is survived by her mother, Loretta; brother, Randall; sister, Terry; and many nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues. Her beloved father, Frank, passed away last year.
Tammy Reiss is the second loss the Fieger Firm has suffered recently. Partner Jerry Kenney died April 10, 2005.

“Tammy and Jerry’s deaths leave a huge hole in our firm that can never be filled,” Fieger said.

Memorials to honor Tammy Reiss may be made to the Michigan Humane Society.