Two hundred friends and supporters of the Feerick Center for Social Justice turned out for its 2015 awards and benefit reception on October 5 at Mutual of America. Four Fordham Law alumni were honored for their professional achievements and dedication to issues of justice.
Hon. Lawrence W. Pierce ’51 received the Life of Commitment Award for his professional career devoted to public service. He was appointed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in 1971, and ten years later, was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In retirement he became director of the USAID-funded Cambodian Court Training Project.
“In his professional and personal life Judge Pierce always cared for others,” said Kathleen McInerney O’Hare ’80, who, along with her husband Bernard F. O’Hare ’80, introduced Judge Pierce.
Kathleen McInerney O’Hare ’80, Bernard F. O’Hare ’80, and Judge Pierce
The Spirit of Service Award was given to Patricia M. Hynes ’66, senior counsel at Allen & Overy LLP. A leading trial lawyer whose expertise has been recognized by various publications, Hynes served as an assistant United States attorney in the Southern District of New York, where she worked as chief of the Official Corruption and Special Prosecutions and also the Consumer Fraud units. While serving on the board of directors of The Legal Aid Society, she played a critical role in fashioning the restructuring that saved the society from bankruptcy. She also served as the president of the New York City Bar from 2008–2010.
Patricia Hynes ’66 and Betty Santangelo ’74, who introduced her.
The Spirit of Hope Award was presented to two individuals: James F. Gill ’56 and his daughter, Rose Gil Hearn ’88. Gill, of counsel at Bryan Cave LLP, was honored for his many past and current pro bono commitments, including service as chairman of the New York City Joint Commission on Integrity in the Public Schools, chairman of the Long Island Power Authority, chairman of Battery Park City Authority, and acting director of the New York State Governor’s Office of Employee Relations. Prior to Gill Hearn’s current position as principal at Bloomberg Associates, she was the longest-serving commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation, from 2002 to 2013.
John Feerick ’61 and James Gill ’56
In introducing father and daughter, Professor John D. Feerick ’61, founder and senior counsel of the Feerick Center, said, “Jim Gill has been a stalwart champion of Fordham Law School for almost 60 years. So much of his career has been spent improving the institutions that shape the civic fabric of New York life, and of the lives of its people.
“Rose Gill Hearn has spent the vast majority of her own professional career advancing the cause of justice and fairness to a degree that is almost without peer in her own generation.”
Before the awards were distributed, attendees watched a video created for the occasion that provided an inside look at the day-to-day work of the Feerick Center.
“We all believe in the work that the Feerick Center is accomplishing, both in creating programs that provide access to justice for low income populations, and by instructing and inspiring Fordham Law students, and lawyers to meet these pressing legal needs,” said Michael McNamara ’83, one of the event’s co-chairs.
