A Los Angeles Superior Court judge who was fatally injured by a vehicle while walking in the Pico-Robertson area is being mourned as a “formidable” civil servant and a talented teacher.
Daniel Brenner had previously served as an adviser to two Federal Communications Commission chairmen and had been an adjunct professor at USC’s Gould School of Law and formerly, director of the communications law program at the UCLA School of Law. He was struck about 6:10 p.m. Monday on Beverwill Drive near the intersection with Pico Boulevard.
Brenner was crossing Beverwill, headed west, not far from his home, when he was struck by a northbound 2015 Honda Civic whose driver, a 38-year-old man from Calabasas, stopped at the scene and was questioned, according to an officer at the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Traffic Division.
The 64-year-old Beverly Hills resident was pronounced dead at Cedars- Sinai Medical Center, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office and Los Angeles police.
Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Brenner to the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2012.
“Dan taught communications law for us for two years and it was a popular course in the Media, Entertainment & Technology program,” said Jonathan Barnett, a law professor at USC’s law school. “He had a mild-mannered and humorous teaching style, bringing alive a complex subject for our students. This is really sad news.”
Brenner, who earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Stanford University, also served as an adviser to two Federal Communications Commission chairmen, according to the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, where Brenner was once head of the Legal Department.
“The people of Los Angeles have lost a great judge, and the public policy community has lost a great friend and colleague,” said NCTA President and CEO Michael Powell, himself a former FCC chairman.
“Dan’s insightful knowledge of telecommunications law made him a formidable force in public policy during his years leading the Legal Department at NCTA,” Powell said. “A prominent and distinguished member of the federal communications bar, Dan was a key staffer and advisor to two FCC chairmen during a time of immense change.”
Powell also praised him as “a prized teacher and mentor for hundreds of law students at USC, UCLA and Georgetown University.”
“None of us will ever forget Dan’s keen sense of humor and perspective, which helped guide his approach to his career and his friendships,” Powell said. “We will sorely miss him.”
