Approximately 720 members of the Fordham Law community gathered on March 1 for the 75th Fordham Law Annual Luncheon, raising $465,000 for the Law School and celebrating the achievements of multiple alumni, including Eric Grossman ’93, chief legal officer and chief administrative officer of Morgan Stanley.
Grossman was awarded the Medal of Achievement, the highest honor bestowed by the Fordham Law Alumni Association (FLAA) since 1952. Grossman is a stalwart supporter of Fordham Law. He serves as chair of the Law School’s Dean’s Planning Council, established an endowed scholarship to support those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, supports the Realizing Excellence and Access in the Law (REAL) Scholars program, and hosts the annual Morgan Stanley/Fordham Law School Summer Associate Luncheon.
The award was presented to Grossman by Brad Butwin ’85, chair of O’Melveny & Myers and member of the Law School’s Dean’s Planning Council, who hired Grossman for his first job out of law school and lauded him for his distinguished career and 30 years of service at Fordham Law.
“Eric has gone on to distinguish himself at every step of his career and life, proudly using his Fordham degree to remind us all that you can do well by doing good,” Butwin said. “From Davis Polk partner to the heights of Morgan Stanley, Eric is not only shaping the culture of those organizations, but his compassion, integrity, values and strong moral compass have deeply influenced the broader financial and legal communities. He always gives so much of himself to others while never asking for anything in return.”
In his acceptance speech, Grossman reflected on the supportive community of family, friends, mentors, and classmates who have shaped his upbringing and career trajectory.
“There is no better collection of lawyers anywhere on the planet, and I’m proud to be associated with all of you,” he said to the crowded room at Cipriani’s on 42nd Street. “There are so many others who embody what’s so great about this Law School, this community, its culture, values—[including]partnership, honesty, hard work, looking after others as much as yourself—and service to the community [by]giving back to each other and to those who will come after us.”
More than 700 members of the Fordham Law community gather for the 75th Fordham Law Annual Luncheon.
Also honored at the luncheon was adjunct professor and alumnus James W. Quinn ’71, who received the Milton Fisher ’42 Second Harvest Award. The award is presented to an alumnus who has celebrated his or her 50th reunion and has “embodied the Law School’s highest ideals of excellence and has made exceptional contributions to society in the humanities, legal profession, business world, their community, and charitable affairs.”
One of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the country, Quinn is the former head of Weil’s Litigation Department and a senior partner in Weil’s Litigation practice, where he specializes in high-stakes commercial disputes.
The Rising Star Awards, which recognize the extraordinary achievements of distinguished alumni who have graduated within the past 15 years, were presented to Lynda Garcia ’12, chief counsel to Senator Cory A. Booker, in the government, public interest, and nonprofit field; Khasim K. Lockhart ’18, associate attorney at Frankfurt Kurnit & Selz, in private practice; and Alexander Zozos ’14, general counsel at Superstate, in the in-house and business field.
The event closed with a speech made by the first woman president of the FLAA, Sharon McCarthy ’89, partner at Kostelanetz, that honored Dean Matthew Diller, who is stepping down after nine years as dean.
“Matthew’s leadership has been the bedrock of this institution, fostering an environment that promotes not only academic excellence, but also a sense of community that transcends the walls of the Law School,” said McCarthy. “Matthew immediately recognized the invaluable role alumni play in the life of our Law School as advocates, mentors, and ambassadors for the next generation of Fordham lawyers. Today, just looking around this jam-packed room, you can feel the strength of the Fordham Law family, which has only grown stronger under your leadership.”
Before receiving a standing ovation Diller humbly said, “I’ve been fortunate and privileged to be able to lead this community for some stretch of time, and I want to thank all of you alumni in the room and our alumni community, because it is really through your work and accomplishments in private practice, government, business, public interest law, and whatever you do that our school’s reputation is built and continues to shine. We would not be anything like what we are today without your incredible support and dedication.”
View scenes from the luncheon below:
