Hal Kant

Harold Sanford "Hal" Kant (July 29, 1931 – October 19, 2008) was an entertainment industry attorney who specialized in representing musical groups. He was best known for his 35 years as principal lawyer and general counsel for the Grateful Dead, a position in the group that was so strong that his business cards with the band identified his role as "Czar".

Early life Hal Kant was born in the Bronx. He earned his law degree at the Harvard Law School. After graduation, he was hired as a clerk in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco, California.

Poker Kant won the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha tournament at the 1987 World Series of Poker, earning a gold WSOP bracelet and $174,000. He was the runner-up in the $2,500 Limit Hold'em tournament at the 1990 World Series of Poker. Kant would often have members of the Grateful Dead cheering for him at poker tournaments. His 12 cashes as the WSOP account for $524,514 of those winnings.

Death He died at age 77 in Reno, Nevada on October 19, 2008, from pancreatic cancer. He was survived by his wife, Jesse, and his three sons, two stepchildren and five grandchildren.