Professor Yuval Levy is the esteemed founder of the law firm Prof. Yuval Levy & Co.
A prominent figure in the Israeli legal landscape, Professor Yuval Levy was born in Tel Aviv in 1932 and his childhood was spent in Jerusalem during the Mandate period. From a young age, he was politically involved in circles close to the Etzel underground, an involvement that led his father to send him, at the age of 14, to the Jewish Boys’ College boarding school, in Wokingham, England. Having completed high school in England, on his return to Israel he enlisted in the newly-formed army of the young State. He then completed an academic track in law and political science at the Hebrew University with distinction, and interned under his mentor, Supreme Court Justice Shimon Agranat.
In 1955, during his military service, Levy joined the Military Prosecution and served as a military prosecutor under the Northern Command. One of the first cases he handled was the demotion of Meir Moses, an IDF soldier who was taken captive by Syria. Years later, Professor Levy took the stand in favor of Moses, and worked to secure a pardon for him. A pardon was eventually granted by the President of the State, 49 years after the original judgment, and Moses’ rank was restored.
In his roles in the Military Prosecution and IDF reserves, Professor Levy served as the chief military prosecutor for the Navy and the Air Force. He also served as the legal advisor to the military government in Sinai during the Kadesh Operation and the Six-Day War. Later, he served as a military judge and represented IDF personnel before various inquiry committees. After the Yom Kippur War, he represented Major General Shmuel Gonen (Gorodish) before the Agranat Committee. In 1982, following the Sabra and Shatila massacre, he represented the head of Military Intelligence, Major General Yehoshua Saguy, before the Kahan Commission. In 1987, he represented the head of the Investigations Division in the ISA (Israeli Security Agency) before the Landau Commission.
Upon completing his military service, Yuval Levy went on to pursue his postgraduate studies at Yale University in the United States. He earned a second master’s degree and a doctorate in law. His doctoral thesis was original and innovative, focusing on space law. When he returned to Israel in 1960, he joined the Faculty of Law at the University of Tel Aviv as a lecturer. From 1982, he served as a professor at the Faculty of Law and continued teaching until 2002, when he retired, though he continued to teach as a Professor Emeritus. Professor Levy loved teaching law, and his course on criminal law and his publications on the subject are considered foundational in the training of many legal professionals in Israel.
Simultaneously, Professor Levy earned praise and recognition for his professional abilities and successes. Due to his accomplishments, the then Minister of Justice, David Libai, offered him the position of Legal Advisor to the Government.
In 1973, Professor Levy established a successful law firm, representing clients from Israel and around the world in a wide range of legal matters and businesses. Among his main clients were Israel Chemicals Ltd. and its subsidiaries (including Rotem Amfert Negev Ltd.), Bank Leumi, K.A.L., Leumi Card, Schindler Elevators, Xerox, Lockheed Martin, Clal Group, Iscar Metals, Union Bank, and international pharmaceutical companies, among many others.
In 2009, Professor Levy received the Distinguished Professional Award from the Israel Bar Association.
His former student and longtime colleague, Supreme Court Justice Yechiel Kasher, aptly said the following about Professor Levy: “Professor Levy, in the decades he spent in litigation, was undoubtedly one of the leading litigators in Israel. He combined a phenomenal ability to present factual narratives in rich language that is neither condescending nor offensive, infused with subtle humor and British understatement. Time and time again, he would dedicate all that was required to appear in court with a full command of the facts in all their details and their legal implications – after delving into the existing law with creativity, he would soar above with arguments that deviate from existing law, but are necessary to successfully represent his client. Even in sharp legal confrontations, he was never disrespectful, never offensive, and maintained exemplary collegiality. He is an example and role model for many of his students and those fortunate to work alongside him.”
Throughout his career, Professor Levy served in several additional public roles, including director at Bank Barclays Discount, member of various university committees, and a member of public and government committees established to advise on legal matters related to the supervision of public companies. He was also a member of the quasi-judicial Appeals Tribunal at the Israel Bar Association.
Professor Levy’s son, Opher, is currently one of the managing partners at the law firm Arnon, Tadmor-Levy. His grandson, Oded, is a partner in the firm’s mergers and acquisitions department.
Social Responsibility
& Pro Bono Work
Pro bono representation and social involvement projects are integral to our practice. Through these projects, into which we have invested many thousands of hours, we help those of lesser means, not-for-profit organizations, and social initiatives. We also take part in a wide range of volunteering opportunities and support various charities.