Of Public Interest
Recognition from the Top
In the ’60s, almost everyone said they wanted peace and love. But at the Law School, students did more than talk, they practiced the art of making the world a better place. Now, more than 35 years later, four Age of Aquarius alumni are leading public interest organizations in Washington, D.C. Here, some snapshots of what these committed lawyers are doing.
Nancy Duff Campbell ’68 The copresident of the National Women’s Law Center, Campbell advocates for the rights of destitute women and champions child support, custody and visitation causes. She has fought on behalf of female military personnel victimized by sexual harassment and combated unfair employment policies.
Alan Houseman ’68 A key player in civil legal aid in the United States, Houseman, executive director of the Center for Law and Social Policy, helped get the Legal Services Corporation Act through Congress and set the framework for the Corporation.
Ron Pollack ’68 The founder of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Pollack won two Supreme Court cases on the same day —both challenged the constitutionality of congressional statutes cutting tens of thousands of people from Food Stamps. Pollack, now executive director of Families USA, also litigated the case that created Women Infants Children (WIC), a federally-funded food assistance program.
James Weill ’69 President of FRAC, Weill is leading a campaign to end hunger in the U.S. He helped reorganize the Medicaid and Food Stamps programs, secured millions of dollars to support low-income people and restructured laws concerning the rights of children born out of wedlock and the enforcement of the child support system.
Geraldine Ferraro, center, with husband John Zaccaro, left, and Lester Pollack
O
n the ninth floor aerie of Furman Hall, the Lester Pollack Colloquium Room can literally take one’s breath away with its expansive views of New York City. Dean Richard Revesz, in his remarks at the room dedication, praised Pollack ’57, chair of the NYU School of Law board of trustees since 1998 and active member since 1981, for his decades of steadfast service and dynamic leadership, having overseen the institution during the Law School’s remarkable transformation and physical expansion. The dean also noted that the colloquium room is now a premier forum for the intellectual exchange that Pollack’s leadership has advanced. ■
Lester Pollack in front of his portrait.
Why Make a Bequest to NYU School of Law? “I have benefited greatly by the legal education I received at the NYU School of Law, and I would like to acknowledge that benefit. Making a bequest as part of our Class Gift for our 45th Reunion made sense to me for three reasons: First, our children have established their own lives and are financially independent, so a bequest is now possible without placing our beneficiaries at a financial disadvantage. Second, by making a charitable gift I am helping to pass along my values to my children and grandchildren, whom I hope will recognize the importance of charitable giving. Finally, a gift to the School of Law upon my death will help to replace my annual gifts—and at this stage in my life a bequest seems painless compared to annual giving.”
Nancy Duff Campbell
Ron Pollack
AUTUMN 2005
Alan Houseman
James Weill with Senator Richard Lugar
—R. Philip Steinberg ’60 If you would like to include the Law School in your estate plans, or for more information, please contact: Marsha Metrinko NYU School of Law 161 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor New York, NY 10013 Telephone: (212) 998-6485 Facsimile: (212) 995-4035 Email: marsha.metrinko@nyu.edu
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