The Fordham Law community mourns the passing of Gavin White ’01, former president of the Miami chapter of the Fordham Law Alumni Association (FLAA). White died on January 24 from an aggressive form of cancer at the age of 46. He is survived by his two children, Abigail (10) and Bowie (2); his mother, Mary Frances White; sister, Kyra-Siobhan Combe; brother, Brandon White; as well as seven nieces and nephews. Gavin was predeceased by his father, Allan White, who passed away in 2007.
“Gavin was truly one of a kind—he was filled with energy and ideas, warm and caring, and generous beyond measure. His irresistible personality and sense of fun brought people together and was critical to forging the committed and supportive Fordham Law community in South Florida. Gavin never hesitated to take under his wing any student or alum,” Dean Matthew Diller said. “I was able to speak to him briefly by phone on Sunday. I expressed my deep gratitude to him for all that he has done for me personally and for our community. He in turn, told me how much Fordham has meant to him and in particular how our ethos ‘in the service of others’ resonated with him. Gavin certainly lived that ethos.”
White was a litigator who had just launched his own firm, Marchese White, in his hometown of Miami last March. Focusing his practice on fraud litigation, business disputes, professional malpractice defense, and insurance coverage, he worked extensively in defending corporations from fraudulently prosecuted claims and protecting individuals who had been victims of fraud.
White was loved and admired by his many friends, fellow alumni, and young attorneys whom he mentored.
(L-R) Gavin White ’01 and Elisa D’Amico ’06
“Gavin was larger than life, quite literally towering above most if not all of the other attendees at whatever networking event he was attending. He was the person we all held close because he always had all the information, the experience, the wisdom – and because he was the most kind, generous, and loyal friend,” said Elisa D’Amico ’06. “For the Miami Chapter of the FLAA, this is a devastating loss, on the heels of also losing our then VP, McKenzie Livingston. Gavin was our ‘Yoda.’ He was the glue that kept us all together. He leaves behind two beautiful children, a family, and a legacy. We will never forget his smile, his kindness, and his love for music. Gavin truly lived ‘in service of others.’ I will miss him dearly.”
“The Fordham Law community has lost an angelic giant in Gavin White who gave his heart and soul to his family and to everyone who had the honor and privilege to share life’s journey in his presence,” added Ed Joyce ’86. “Although I had spoken with him on a regular basis during the pandemic (including last week), the last time I saw Gavin was when I surprised him at the Fordham Law Miami Chapter reception for the Dean’s annual visit in January 2020. The photo of me hugging Gavin during that reception is how I will always remember him. Our hearts are broken and the world is less bright today without Gavin White in it.”
(L-R) Gavin White ’01 and Ed Joyce ’86
While he was a student at Fordham Law, White served as a member of Fordham International Law Journal before graduating in 2001. Prior to attending Fordham Law, White received a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of South Florida in 1997, where he was the concert chair of the campus activities board, student representative of the speakers board, and director of the homecoming concert his senior year.
White was a music lover and dedicated concertgoer. He managed a rock band while attending Fordham Law. He was a huge fan of the band KISS—and dressed up with his family as the band members. He also cared for causes related to arts and culture, children, economic empowerment, and science and technology.
Giving Back to His Alma Mater
White was committed to Fordham Law and its focus on service throughout his life. He was an active FLAA member for two decades, serving as president of the FLAA’s Miami chapter, president of a council of regional FLAA chapter presidents, and sitting on the association’s board of directors since 2016. In addition to often flying to New York for alumni-related events, he also regularly reached out to and mentored Fordham Law students with ties to South Florida and recent graduates relocating to the area.
“Whether it was by taking a new lawyer to dinner for advice on practicing in Miami, scheduling a three-hour phone call to help a clerk transition to private practice, or just being a shoulder to lean on when the burdens of life stacked up, he was always there,” said Dan Humphrey ’19, one of White’s mentees and friends.
“Few people you meet in life are irreplaceable to people outside their immediate friends and family. Gavin is irreplaceable to so many. He was good to his friends but he was the most supportive and nurturing to new law students or recent grads,” added Chief Judge Nushin G. Sayfie of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. “It gave me such comfort to refer a young lawyer to him. I knew that they would be in the best of hands. He was the greatest ambassador for the Miami legal community and for Fordham Law school.”
In 2018, White remarked on what it meant to be part of the Fordham Law network and its legacy of support for the next generation of legal professionals:
“I’ve come to be known as someone the students can call, and I’m happy to help out. The fact is that anyone who has a commute and cellphone has the time to help somebody who is younger in their career.
During my career I’ve had a lot of lucky breaks from people who helped me when they didn’t need to. My philosophy is that if I’ve benefited from that, then I should try to help other people as well.
Some of our mentees are concerned about what the law is going to be like, so we really try to put them at ease. And once they get situated at the Law School, sometimes it’s just a friendly text message in the beginning of December saying, ‘Don’t worry; you’re going to do great on your finals.’
From nearly 17 years of practicing law, I’ve come across a lot of people from different law schools, and I’ve never seen anything remotely as powerful as the Fordham connections that people have. What I see with Fordham is a ‘one team, one fight’ mentality.”
Making a Mark in Miami
After graduating from Fordham Law, White moved back to Florida to begin his career as an associate of Michael Rudd & Associates (now Rudd & Diamond). He then joined Wicker Smith as associate for three years and spent the next seven and a half years at Martinez, White & Viniegra (formerly known as Concepción, Martinez & Puente) as partner. Prior to launching his own firm last year, White joined the partnership of Smith, Gambrell & Russell (SGR) in February 2020, handling a wide range of business disputes as a partner in SGR’s Miami Litigation Practice.
White was named to South Florida’s Legal Elite in the Civil Litigation category in recognition of his achievements, and received the coveted Fordham Law Alumni Association Rising Stars Award in the Private Practice category in 2014.
Arrangements for a celebration of life have not yet been announced, but will be shared with the Fordham Law community once available.
We invite you to submit stories, photos, or videos for his family.
