Morris Nichols’ Jack Blumenfeld to Receive First State Distinguished Service Award

The Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA) has announced that retired Morris Nichols partner Jack Blumenfeld will receive the 2026 First State Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his longstanding commitment to the legal profession, the community, and his significant civic contributions throughout his distinguished career.

The award will be presented at the DSBA’s Bench & Bar Conference in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 11, 2026. This prestigious honor recognizes “a member of the Delaware Bar who, by exemplary leadership and service dedicated to the cause of good citizenship in civic and humanitarian service over a period of many years has maintained the integrity and honored recognition of the legal profession in community affairs and who, as an outstanding Delawarean, unceasingly advances the ideals of citizen participation and community accomplishment, thus reflecting high honor on both country and profession.”

Jack is well known throughout the country as a skilled trial advocate, generous mentor, and model of professionalism and credibility. Over many years litigating cases as lead counsel, as well as together with national co-counsel, he has been integral to elevating the Delaware federal court practice and the reputation of the Delaware District Court as a top jurisdiction for intellectual property disputes.

Jack’s impact extends beyond the courtroom and into the community. He is a past president of the Jewish Federation of Delaware and has served on advisory committees of the District of Delaware and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. He has also chaired the DSBA’s Diversity Job Fair. He is a past recipient of the Irving S. Shapiro Community Service Award.

“Jack’s nearly 50-year career as a Delaware lawyer has been nothing less than extraordinary. He has appeared in thousands of patent litigation cases, served in community leadership roles, handled pro bono matters, and mentored countless lawyers along the way,” reflected Karen Jacobs, his wife and a fellow Morris Nichols IP litigator. “His approachable and kind nature, sense of humor, integrity, and expertise have built a remarkable legacy.”

“We owe Jack a tremendous debt of gratitude for his years of service to our firm, our community, and the Delaware bar,” said IP partner Rodger Smith. “Through his incredible work ethic and unrelenting commitment to practicing law at the highest level, Jack has shown us all – day in and day out – what it means to be a Delaware lawyer.”

“At Morris Nichols, we are fortunate to have benefited from Jack’s leadership, generosity, and dedication,” added Melissa DiVincenzo, chair of the firm’s executive committee. “We applaud Jack on this prestigious and well-deserved honor.”

The first recipient of the First State Distinguished Service Award was Morris Nichols name partner James M. Tunnell Jr. in 1979. Other recipients include prominent Delaware judges and private practitioners, including Jack’s mentor, the Honorable Walter K. Stapleton, who served on the Delaware District Court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and also was a former Morris Nichols partner.

ABOUT MORRIS, NICHOLS, ARSHT & TUNNELL LLP

Recognized as a premier Delaware law firm, Morris Nichols handles bet-the-company, high-stakes matters in the four key areas of corporate litigation, alternative entities and corporate counseling, bankruptcy and restructuring, and intellectual property litigation. The firm is regularly involved as lead counsel or co-counsel in matters of national and international significance, as well as those affecting its immediate community. morrisnichols.com