LIFE IS SO FRAGILE - GAIL OXFELD KANEF, ESQ.
My husband was hit with the “one-two punch.” After losing his brother on July 24, 2025 (see bigbrycohen@gmail.com, dated August 5, 2025, and Listen to the Music, dated January 6, 2026, at sharonmarkcohen.com), he lost his law partner, Gail, on September 21, 2025.
Gail worked at the law firm for 33 years, and Arnee says they never had a bad word. She was beautiful inside and out. Her obituary tells about her personal life, but her bio describes her professional achievements.
“Gail Oxfeld Kanef, 58, of Short Hills, New Jersey, passed away on September 21, 2025.
“Born on November 11, 1966, to Barbara and Milton Oxfeld, Gail grew up with a strong sense of community and determination that would guide her throughout her life. She graduated from Brandeis University and went on to earn her law degree from Boston University School of Law. Gail built a distinguished career as a labor attorney in New Jersey, dedicating her professional life to advocating for workers’ rights and justice.
“Gail’s love for her family, friends and her community were at the heart of everything she did. An active member of her temple, she found joy in Jewish traditions and the community that surrounded them. Known for her warmth and generosity, Gail had a passion for cooking and hosting—her home was often filled with friends, family, and delicious meals. She also had a well-known love of shopping and travel, which she approached with the same enthusiasm and flair she brought to all aspects of life.
“She is survived by her devoted husband, Michael, and their beloved children, Max and Dan. She is also survived by her loving mother Barbara and brother Gary, as well as many extended family members, friends, and colleagues who will deeply miss her.
“Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 25th at 1pm, at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, with burial to follow at B’nai Abraham Memorial Park. Shiva will be observed at the family’s home in Short Hills.
“In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sharsheret Breast Cancer & Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Brandeis University, or CaringBridge the NonProfit Social Network.
“Gail will be remembered for her kindness, fierceness, love, and the joy she brought to all who knew her.”
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Professionally:
“Proud to be AV Rated by Martindale.com
“Gail Oxfeld Kanef concentrates her practice almost exclusively in the labor and employment law field. She represents unions in both the public and private sectors, individuals in disciplinary actions, employees in education law matters and plaintiffs in all types of employment discrimination, whistleblower, and disability accommodation cases. She counsels clients regarding issues related to the termination of the employment relationship and reviews and negotiates employment agreements on behalf of employees. Ms. Kanef has extensive experience with appellate matters and matters before the New Jersey Supreme Court.
“In 2017, Ms. Kanef was elected by her peers as a Fellow of the prestigious national organization, the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.
“Ms. Kanef is a member of the Executive Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association Section on Labor and Employment Law and that Section’s Committee on NLRB Practice and Procedure and the NLRB Region 22 Conference Planning Committee. She is also a member of the American Bar Association Section on Labor and Employment Law. A Bencher of the Sidney Reitman Employment Law Inn of Court and former President for the Inn, Ms. Kanef has received the David Solomon Award for outstanding contributions to the Reitman Inn of Court. Ms. Kanef has been a speaker at the annual Public Employment Relations Commission Conference, the annual NLRB Conference, NJICLE-sponsored conferences on labor and employment law topics and New Jersey State Bar Foundation functions. She has authored numerous articles for scholarly legal publications related to labor and employment law topics. Ms. Kanef has also served as a judge for the New Jersey State Bar Foundation High School Mock Trial Competition.
“Ms. Kanef received her B.A. cum laude from Brandeis University and her J.D. cum laude from Boston University School of Law. Prior to entering private practice, Ms. Kanef served as a law clerk to the Honorable John A. D’Amico, J.S.C. Superior Court, Monmouth County.”
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Personal and Professional, published in the New Jersey Labor and Employment Law Quarterly:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~We’ll remember the good times and the enjoyment of celebrating each other’s simchas, starting with her wedding when I was due to give birth any day. Then came the festive times as we watched our children make their passage into Jewish adulthood. Gail and Michael are pictured here, thirteen years after their marriage, at our son Moss’s bar mitzvah celebration in June 2007. Rest in peace Gail. Your memory is truly a blessing.
Sharon Mark Cohen believes everyone deserves a legacy. Follow her at sharonmarkcohen.com.