Sanford M. Saunders Jr.

Sanford “Sandy” Saunders Jr., a former co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig's Washington, D.C., office, died Sunday at the age of 59.

Saunders “passed away peacefully in his sleep” while visiting family in Florida, according to an obituary shared by Greenberg Traurig. The firm said Saunders' death was unexpected.

“We are so saddened by Sandy's passing,” said Laura Metcoff Klaus, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig's Washington, D.C., office, in a statement. “Sandy was not just a great lawyer who was passionate about his clients, the rule of law, and the Redskins, Sandy was a great friend. He loved life and touched many, many people. We will miss him, his optimism, and his zest for life.”

Saunders made his mark as an international trial and criminal defense lawyer who worked for the last 16 years with Greenberg Traurig's white-collar defense and special investigations practice group. He was co-managing shareholder of the firm's D.C. office from 2010 to 2016.

Saunders defended Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a Russian oil oligarch and prominent political opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in two criminal trials in Moscow. Russia arrested and imprisoned Khodorkovsky, former head of oil giant Yukos and one of Russia's then-richest men, in 2003 on charges of tax evasion and fraud that he vehemently denied. Amnesty International labeled Khodorkovsky a “prisoner of conscience” in 2011, and he was released from jail in 2013.

Saunders also supported influential Republican political causes in the Washington-metropolitan area. Saunders was a member of the Jack Kemp Foundation Legacy Circle and served as the vice chair for the Northern Virginia Republican Business Forum's advisory board.

U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, R-Virginia, who represents a district adjacent to D.C., shared on Twitter her condolences for Saunders' death.

“Chip and I are so saddened to hear the loss of our dear friend, Sandy Saunders Vice Chair of the NOVA Republican Business Forum,” Comstock tweeted. “Our hearts and prayers are with his beautiful wife, Beth, and we celebrate Sandy's very talented, full, but too short life.”

A service and reception celebrating Saunders' life is set to be held at The Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 7. Sanders, a Brooklyn, New York, native, is survived by his wife, Beth Saunders.

“Sandy loved his work, his wife, his friends, his clients,” Nancy E. Taylor, co-chair of the health care and FDA practice at Greenberg Traurig, said in a statement. “My family and I will miss his passion for the 'burgundy and gold,' country music, and good cigars. I will personally miss his advice to me as a colleague and a friend.”