Henry Hammer was born October 10, 1910, in Passaic, New Jersey, to parents Fannie Hammer and Hyman Hammer. He graduated from Fordham University in 1932 where he received his law degree and was on the dean’s list.
From 1934 to 1941, he practiced at Hammer and Hammer in New Jersey. He worked at the Judge Advocate General’s Office from 1941 to 1945. He practiced at Edens and Hammer from 1947 to 1962, at Hammer and Bernstein from 1963 to 1990 and at Hammer and Hammer from 1990 to 2005. In 2004, he was recognized by the S.C. Supreme Court as the oldest practicing attorney in the state.
Hammer was awarded the Star of David by the Columbia Jewish Community and State of Israel Bonds. He was a member of the Beth Shalom Synagogue, where he previously served as president of the board of directors. He was a founding trustee of the Columbia Jewish Center and also served as its president.
Hammer was a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, South Carolina Bar, National Association of Compensation Claimants, South Carolina Association for Justice, American Associate for Justice, American Bar Association and the American Judicature Society. He served as a special county court and family court judge and was also a Bar Examiner. He was a member of the Columbia Kiwanis Club and March of Dimes.
The S.C. Senate passed a resolution recognizing him for his extraordinary career in pursuit of justice and for his tireless commitment to his family, faith and community. He was honored by the Richland County Bar Association and the South Carolina Association for Justice for his distinguished service.
Henry Hammer died on August 4, 2005. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor B. Hammer; three children, Howard B. Hammer, Alvin J. Hammer and Stanley F. Hammer; two grandchildren, David S. Hammer and Michael L. Hammer; and two step-grandchildren, Phoebe Cushman, M.D. and Brett Berkman.