The Fordham Law Alumni Association held its 66th Annual Luncheon on Friday, March 6 at Cipriani 42nd Street. Approximately 650 alumni and guests attended the event, where the FLAA presented its Medal of Achievement to alumnus Jim Brown ’72, announced its three Rising Star Award recipients, recognized retiring administrator Susan Santangelo for her more than 50 years of service to Fordham, and celebrated the leadership of outgoing Dean Michael M. Martin, who received a standing ovation as he stood with his wife, alumna Ellen Martin ’77.
The Medal of Achievement is the FLAA’s principal award, presented each year to an alumnus who has led a distinguished career in law or business. FLAA President Michael K. Stanton, Jr. ’86 presented the medal to Brown. In his remarks, he commended Brown for his skill as a trial lawyer, his devotion to his work, and his love for his family.
“[Jim] moors the great university to its storied past and serves as a beacon as it travels into an even greater future,” Stanton said before presenting the medal to Brown.
Brown is a veteran trial lawyer with over 35 years of experience in medical malpractice defense and is currently Of Counsel at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP. He is a former president and current director of the FLAA. He also serves as a trustee of Fordham University.
Rising Star Awards were awarded to three alumni: Chieh Huang ’08 of Boxed, Anamaria Segura ’07 of MFY Legal Services, and Rosevelie Márquez Morales ’02 of Harris Beach PLLC. The Rising Star Awards recognize the achievements of distinguished alumni who have graduated within the past 15 years and are presented in three categories: in-house and business; government, public interest, and nonprofit; and private practice.
Dean Michael M. Martin also made remarks at the luncheon, during which he gave updates on the School’s efforts to increase enrollment and raise funds for scholarships. He also recognized longtime administrator Susan Santangelo, who will retire this year. Santangelo began working at Fordham in 1960, and in 2012, she received the University’s Sursum Corda award for her longstanding service.
“Susan, we thank you for moving so many mountains over the years and for helping Fordham Law reach the apex of legal education,” Dean Martin said. “You represent the best of the Law School and the greater University community.”
