On Feb. 4, 2010, Bay Area attorney Milton Sills will celebrate his 100th birthday surrounded by his family and friends.
Milt, the oldest of three children, was born to Jewish immigrants from Poland in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised in Chicago, and graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 1932. After graduation, Milt worked for National Bond Investment Company. He entered the military (1942-1946) and was promoted to Captain in the U.S. Army. He worked in legal defense of his soldiers and their procurement of supplies, protecting their standard of living while in the army. The soldiers nicknamed him “Uncle Abe.”
In 1950, Milt moved to California to join his younger brother Jerome in the practice of law. Together, they established: Sills and Sills Attorneys At Law, in downtown Hayward, California. Milt and Jerry were instrumental in getting legislation passed to fund the building and establishment of the Southern Alameda County Courthouse in Hayward, California. The brothers also co-founded the Southern Alameda County Bar Association. In 1951, Jerry was disabled by polio, but continued to carry on with the brother’s practice of law. Together, they placed emphasis on breaking down barriers and stereotypes for those living and working with a disability and confined to wheelchairs, before it was popular to do so. They were a dynamic and charismatic duo. Milt remained the loyal, loving and devoted brother. While continuing to live together, Milt helped care for Jerry until his untimely passing at the young age of 48.
Milt truly has a zest for life and living, and continued to practice law well into his seventies. It was not unusual to see him zipping around town on roller skates, his bike … or even his moped. He was well into physical fitness, before it became fashionable to do so. After his retirement, he also traveled extensively, attended opera, theater, photography and computer classes and enjoyed visiting nature and wild life preserves.
At his present age, he still drives his own car, and has maintained a long time relationship with his lady friend Eleanor Perry for over 25 years. He continues to have a lifelong passion for the profession of law, and a deep love and devotion to his younger sister Kathryn Stiebel and his three nieces: Marice, Shelley and Leslie. The girls consider “Uncle Miltie” their second father. Congratulations Milt on your 100th birthday!