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Sen. Charles Schumer Delivers Commencement
Address
Senator
Schumer and Dr. Lamm
The Class of 2000 celebrated Cardozo's 22nd commencement at Avery Fisher
Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on June 11. Senator Charles
Schumer of New York delivered the keynote address and exhorted the class
of 2000 to never let fear of failure stop them from making difficult decisions,
urging them to "go for it." He also advocated for educational reform, a
political priority of his. Cheers and applause filled the auditorium as
more than 300 students filed on stage to be hooded and receive J.D. degrees.
In addition, 20 received LL.M. degrees, in the program's second year. Many
students were honored for distinction in academics, contributions to journals,
society, and various fields of law.
The Monrad G. Paulsen Award for devoted service
to the vitality of the ideals and purposes of legal education was given
to Adjunct Professor Gertrude Mainzer, who is a former family court judge
and teaches in the area of family law. Michael Pope, at age 76 the class's
oldest graduate, received an award for special contribution to the Law
School, as did Jennifer Beth Cannata.
Students selected favorite professors for
SBA awards. This year's winners were Marci Hamilton, Melanie Leslie, Stewart
Sterk, and Justin Hughes, adjunct professor. Douglas Gilbertson of the
Office of Financial Aid received the Anita Walton Award for best administrator,
and Mary Pace of the Center for Professional Development was recognized
for the most outstanding assistance to students.
30 Named to Order of the Coif
At graduation, the Order of the Coif was bestowed
on those who finished in the top 10 percent of the class:
Jenifer J. Arndt, Jason R. Boyarski, Adam S. Cohen, Yakov Deckelbaum,
Jill A. Farbman, Steven M. Field, Matthew G. Frankle, Michael Sha French-Merrill,
Erica J. Goldberg, Jason R. Goldy, Sandi F. Greene, Binyomin A. Kaplan,
Matthew I. Kepniss, James D. Lawrence, Isaac Lifschutz, Adam S. Lurie,
Valerie P. Mahoney, Rebecca Morris, Erin M. Naftali, Douglas W. Pinsky,
Keith M. Poliakoff, Marnie H. Pulver, Joanna Raby, Jason M. Okun, Lina
Rubin, David B. Schechtman, Heidi J. Schmid, Susan B. Schwab, James H.
Sullivan, Jr., Orly Zylberstein
Alums Discuss New Media
(From
left) Prof. Monroe Price, moderator (at the podium), with panelists Mark
Lieberman '84, chairman and chief executive officer, Softcom, Inc.; Edward
Klaris '92, counsel, ABC, Inc.; Allen Lowy '82, president and chief executive
officer, eClassicalMusic.com.; Lillian Laserson '83, vice president and
general counsel, DC Comics and MAD magazine; Alec M. Lipkind '88, executive
counsel, Walt Disney
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Co., Inc.; Bill Squadron, chief executive officer,
Sportvision.com.
Legal and business experts, all of whom are
part of the Cardozo family, came together for a special panel and buffet
reception at the Newseum in midtown this spring. "Lawyers and Clients in
the New Media Environment: Mergers, Convergence & Free Expression"
triggered a stimulating conversation about cutting-edge issues. Initially,
panelists discussed sports franchises and the migration of sports programming
from network to cable. They raised questions like: Is sports news? Should
it be free and available to all as news is? Is it subject to copyright?
In today's market, sports owners want more control, are carefully dividing
up rights, and negotiating complex legal contracts. Sports associations
are wary of giving rights to Internet companies for fear that users will
illegally reproduce game highlights, for example.
Marc
Szafran '96 and Harlan Protass '95
Panelists predict a future with an ever-greater need for lawyers, as well
as encryption advances to protect copyright, and even broader uses for
computer technology. The event was co-sponsored by the Howard M. Squadron
Program in Law, Media and Society and the First Amendment Center.
Eight Win Alumni Association Scholarships
Adam S. Lurie, Melissa Franco, Jaimie A. Rothman,
Myriam I. Sanchez, and Arti Tandon of the class of 2000 and Vivian Walton,
a 2L, won Alumni Association Scholarships. The Monroe E. Price Award and
the Lila Yagerman Award were given to Rebecca Morris and Leila M. Zubi,
respectively. Each year, these scholarships to second- and third-year students
are awarded on the basis of financial need, community service, academic
achievement and publications, and/or to students with disabilities or those
who are disadvantaged in some way.
BALLSA Reunion Dinner
This year's BALLSA Reunion Dinner was particularly
well-attended and festive. "The evening was just spectacular!" said Trish
Williams, director of student services. A mariachi band performed, and
students honored Prof. Jonathan Silver and Noel Williams '87 for their
help and support. The inaugural Outstanding Achievement Award was presented
to Hon. Diane Renwick '86, Civil Court of the City of New York. Her husband,
Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson, delivered the keynote address.
Student leaders Derek Quashie '00, Melissa Franco '00, and Karen Saab '00
are shown with the band.
Class of 2000 Pledges Close to $25,000
This year, Cardo
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zo launched a class giving
program - the first time ever
in the Law School's history. As of graduation, more than 10% of the
class pledged donations totaling almost $25,000. The remarkable success
of this solicitation can be attributed to the efforts of chair Vsevolod
(Steven) Maskin and vice chair Michael Pope.
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| James Howell Sullivan, Jr. made the student remarks |
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| Earle Mack, chairman of the Cardozo Board, with Senator Schumer |
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Melanie
Leslie and Stewart Sterk were chosen best first-year professors by the
graduating class
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| Award winners (from left) Sonny Chehl, Jayashri Cuffey, Melissa Franco, and Rebecca Morris |
Dean
Verkuil and Dean Herz
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| Isabel Feichtner won the Louis Henkin Award for academic achievement and superior scholarship |
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Susan
Beth Schwab won the Felix Frankfurter Award for outstanding academic maturity,
responsibility, diligence, and judgement
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