Carol Chazen Friedman, a highly regarded bankruptcy attorney and former president of the Bar Association of St. Louis, died Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital after a six year battle with breast cancer. She was 60 and had been a resident of University City.

Ms. Friedman was praised by family, friends and colleagues for her professionalism, dedication to her clients and compassionate approach to the practice of law. Missouri Bar President Lynn Whaley Vogel said, “Carol approached all things with vigor. She was a staunch advocate for her clients, stood firm for her positions on policy with the board and valiantly fought against illness for many years with great grace and dignity. She will be remembered for her quick humor and as a devoted friend. She will be missed by all who had the privilege of working and serving with her.”

A solo practitioner based in St. Louis County, Ms. Friedman had been a member of the Missouri Bar Board of Governors since 2001. She was active on behalf of the bar’s Solo and Small Firm Conference Planning Committee.

Before becoming a leader of the Missouri Bar, Ms. Friedman had served as president of the Bar Association of St. Louis and the St. Louis Bar Foundation. She was awarded the Michael R. Roser Excellence in Bankruptcy Practice Award.

Attorney Jay Umansky, president of the St. Louis Regional Board of the American Jewish Congress on which Ms. Friedman served, said, “Carol was one of the brightest and most sensitive attorneys whom I had the pleasure of knowing for more than 30 years.  At a time when the public holds the profession of law in a less than stellar position, Carol made it her mission to improve the image of the lawyers in our community. “

Ms. Friedman’s parents, the late Manuel and Mary Chazen, owned a jewelry store. She was a graduate of University City High School and later graduated from Washington University. She earned her law degree from the St. Louis University School of Law. After graduation, she clerked for Judge James J. Barta and the local U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

She drew upon her experience with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court by specializing in bankruptcy when she started her private practice.

Ms. Friedman’s respect among her colleagues earned her repeated re- election to the Missouri Bar Board of Governors and the presidency of the Bar Association of St. Louis.

After she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, Ms. Friedman underwent chemotherapy each week. She continued her legal practice and bar and community activities through those six years, earning the admiration of her colleagues, clients, friends and family. “She never let it (her illness) get her down,” said Mark Levison, a fellow member of the Missouri Bar Board of Governors. He, too. praised her for her strong principles and willingness to take a minority position.

Funeral services were held last Sunday at Shaare Zedek Synagogue in University City, followed by burial at B’nai Amoona Cemetery, 930 North and South Road, University City.

Survivors include her husband, Harvey Friedman of University City and a sister, Phyllis “Cookie” (Martin) Kalmes of Imperial, and a brother-in-law, Norman (the late Dina) Friedman.

Contributions may be made to the Manuel and Mary Chazen Endowed Nursing Scholarhsip Fund, the Manuel L. Chazen Education Fund for Cardiology, c/o The Foundation for Barnes/Jewish Hospital, 1001 Highland Plaza Drive West, #140, St. Louis, Mo. 63110 or to Shaare Zedek Synagogue, 829 N. Hanley Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63130.