[2] He graduated from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California northeast of Oakland in 1961 and went to Stanford University from 1961-1965, where he earned his B.A.
Max's mother later married Jacques Schnier, an artist who also served in World War II.
After graduating from Stanford University, Max Gruenberg joined the Navy from 1966-1967 as a lieutenant[8] on a transport ship called the U.S.S.
[9] In 1970, Max Gruenberg moved to Alaska and began his political life as an Alaskan politician.
[10] During Gruenberg's early years in politics, he helped create the Alaska Law Review and worked alongside Republican Senator Ted Stevens as Steven's top legislative aide in Washington D.C.[11] In 1970-1971, Gruenberg was also a law clerk for Justice Roger Connor in the Alaska Supreme Court.