Kirke Comstock on Byron Sher Kirke Comstock on Byron Sher (December 29, 2004)

Kirke Comstock of Portola Valley was a mentor of Byron Sher, then a young law professor at Stanford, during their years on the Palo Alto City Council, while Mr. Sher was honing skills he used during 24 years in the state Legislature.

"He's one of my heroes," says Mr. Comstock, who went on to be councilman and mayor in Portola Valley.

Mr. Comstock's description of how Mr. Sher crafted laws might serve as a tutorial for aspiring lawmakers:

"In his last years on the council, and in the Legislature, Byron developed the attitude that he would treat everybody he worked with, Republican or Democrat, as a potential partner.

"Intellectually, he's a brilliant man. He is strong on details. He formulated issues carefully. He asked people, 'Talk to me about it.' When he was done with the process, he could say, 'This is not what I hoped it would be, but I can live with it.'

"He approached people in a way that was deferential but not servile, so people didn't lock up and freeze positions. He created a terrific atmosphere for dialogue. He knew you don't blow people off before you ask for their help.

"He takes a long-term view and can work with people on both sides of the aisle. They will honor and respect that kind of attitude.

"The way he treated people, with respect, reflected his persona. He was a good negotiator; he would not back someone in a corner. He could say, 'This is getting so weak it's not worth pursuing.' He knows when to stop.

"He is not without humor. He knows when a little laugh will reduce the tension.

"He's old-shoe, a little bit rumpled, professorial, not intimidating.

"But behind the genial and caring mask is a steel-trap mind."

E-mail a friend a link to this story.