Summer 2026 Class Notes

Class Notes 

1966 

Hon. Edward R. Korman, who has served as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York since 1985, was honored at a ceremony that celebrated his extraordinary 40-year career on the bench.  

1968 

Stuart Subotnick, Brooklyn Law School’s Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Brooklyn Law School First Generation Professionals. The student group bestowed the honor in recognition of Subotnick's pioneering role in the cellular network industry as the president and chief executive officer of Metromedia Co.  

1969 

Jeffrey D. Forchelli, chairman and co-managing partner of Forchelli Deegan Terrana and a Trustee Emeritus of Brooklyn Law School, was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters at the 2026 commencement ceremony of Wagner College, where he was a 1966 graduate. In addition, Forchelli Deegan Terrana, which Forchelli helped established in 1976 as a founding partner, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. 

1974 

Harriet Newman Cohen's memoir, Passion and Power, received a glowing review in the New York Law Journal, which praised her as a pioneering force in divorce law who is still actively practicing at 93, and described the writing as "unusually candid and inspiring." Cohen is a founding partner of Cohen Stine Kapoor in Manhattan. 

1983 

Hon. Tandra Dawson was appointed to be New York County Supreme Court justice by Governor Kathy Hochul.  

Diane Edelman, who served as Brooklyn Law School's Director of International Programs and Adjunct Professor of Law, retired at the end of June 2026. After joining the Law School in 2023, she oversaw coordinating all aspects of international programs for LL.M. and J.D. students.  

1985

Michael Feigin, president and CEO of JLA Consulting Group, was appointed to the board of directors of CitroTech, an innovator in wildfire defense solutions. 

1986

David Wechsler joined Tarter Krinsky & Drogin as a partner in its trusts and estates group. Wechsler focuses his practice on all aspects of trusts and estates law, including estate planning, trust formation and administration, wills, probate, and estate administration. 

1987

Hon. Sandra E. Roper, who serves in the Civil Court of Kings County, was honored at a Caribbean Heritage Month celebration hosted at the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, in June. She was recognized for her leadership, service, and contributions to the legal profession and the Caribbean American community. 

1989

Marilú Galván, who passed away on June 16, 2024, was posthumously celebrated for her legacy as an educator and advocate at a street-naming ceremony at which the intersection of 145th St. and Riverside Drive in New York City was co-named "Dr. Marilú Galván Way" in her honor. A Dominican Republic immigrant, she devoted nearly her entire career to education and empowering the city’s Dominican community, most recently as the executive director of the Centro Civico Cultural Dominicano, leading efforts to empower young adults to play active roles in the community. 

Howard Hershenhorn, a member of Brooklyn Law School's Board of Trustees and partner at Gair Gair Conason Rubinowitz Bloom Hershenhorn Steigman and Mackauf, was recognized among the Top 10 attorneys across all practice areas in the New York Metro area in the 2026 edition of Super Lawyers. He was also listed as among the top five personal injury attorneys in the New York Metro area, reflecting decades of exceptional advocacy on behalf of injured victims and their families.  

1990 

Peter Fields, a founding partner of Ritholz Levy Fields, was featured in Resident Magazine, where he discussed law, innovation, and influence and reflected fondly on his legal education, recalling his time at Brooklyn Law School and Professor Michael Gerber. "He emphasized practical legal strategy and encouraged us to think about the motivations of the other side—an approach that makes all the difference when negotiating deals or resolving disputes." 

1991

Robert Frazer was appointed to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. A career prosecutor, he has spent more than two decades with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey and previously served in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. 

1992 

Christopher D. Clarke was appointed partner at defense litigation firm Coffey Modica. He has represented individuals, institutions, physicians, police officers, religious organizations, government and private entities throughout his 30-plus years as a trial attorney, including as lead attorney in over 300 trials.  

Judy Selby joined the International Association of Defense Counsel, an invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests. A partner at TittmannWeix, she focuses her practice on assisting customers with cyber, tech, and media claims, policy wording, and emerging risks, including artificial intelligence.  

1993 

Hon. Jennifer Naiburg, who served as chief assistant district attorney in the Queens County District Attorney’s Office since 2020 and had been serving as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in Kings County Supreme Court, was appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul to serve as a Judge on the Court of Claims. At her confirmation hearing before the New York State Senate Judiciary Committee, she spoke of her Brooklyn Law School legacy which began with her grandfather Joseph Gould '27 and includes her father Eric Naiburg '72.  

Hon. Jeanette Rodriguez-Morick was reappointed by Governor Kathy Hochul to serve as Court of Claims Judge in New York County. 

1994 

Rachel Foster, co-founder and president at World Without Exploitation, was named to the TIME 100, recognizing the 100 most influential people of 2026 for her advocacy and organizing work on behalf of the Jeffrey Epstein survivors. (World Without Exploitation CEO and co-founder Lauren Hersh ’02 was also named.) 

Carolyn Pokorny joined Akerman as a partner and co-chair of the white-collar crime and government investigations practice in New York City. A former Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Pokorny brings more than two decades of leadership in federal enforcement. She founded and led the Eastern District's international narcotics and money laundering section and previously served as Inspector General of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, special counsel for public integrity in the New York Governor’s Office, and counsel and senior advisor to a U.S. Attorney General. 

1995 

Julie F. Kay, founder and CEO of Reproductive Futures, received the Brooklyn Law School Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Service for her global advocacy advancing reproductive rights and legal reform.  

1996 

Dyan Finguerra-DuCharme was named North America Trademark Lawyer of the Year at the 2026 Women in Business Law Awards. She is a partner at Pryor Cashman and the co-chair of its intellectual property group.  
 
Ari Markenson, a partner in Venable's corporate practice, was named a Crain's New York Business Notable Leader in Healthcare 2026, an honor recognizing leaders who are the driving force behind the healthcare industry. He was also appointed to Law360’s 2026 Healthcare Editorial Advisory Board. 

1997 

Tara Martin joined Norris McLaughlin as a member in the firm's New York real estate and finance practice group. She focuses her practice on commercial real estate financings and real estate finance transactions, representing institutional lenders and private equity funds in complex financing matters.  

1998 

Melissa Billig joined Jones Day as a partner in its real estate practice based in the firm's New York office. An accomplished transactional attorney, construction litigator, and strategic business counselor, she brings more than 25 years of experience advising clients in the development of major real estate projects throughout New York and nationwide.  

Charles N. Curlett Jr. was appointed as a partner and chair of litigation practice at Cultural Heritage Partners. He brings to the firm extensive experience in complex litigation, white-collar defense, government investigations, and civil disputes involving significant financial and reputational risk. 

Hon. Raja Rajeswari, a New York State Criminal Court judge and the acting New York State Supreme Court justice, was the recipient of the Richmond County Bar Association's Trailblazer Award, recognizing her judicial leadership and the barriers she has broken along the way.  

2000

Hozefa Lokhandwala was appointed chief financial officer of AMC Networks, and will be based in New York. He brings two decades of leadership experience spanning media, corporate strategy, investment banking, and executive management and has worked for various media and entertainment groups. 

2002 

Lauren Hersh, the CEO and co-founder of World Without Exploitation, was named to the TIME 100, recognizing the 100 most influential people of 2026 shaping the world today, for her advocacy and organizing work on behalf of the Jeffrey Epstein survivors. She previously served as the chief of the sex trafficking unit at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Rachel Foster ’94, co-founder and president at World Without Exploitation, was also named to the list. 

Thomas Onder, who has spent two decades doing legal work in the commercial real estate industry, was named as a 2026 INNOVATE100 honoree, which highlights New Jersey's innovative leaders in various fields. He was also presented with the ICSC Trustees’ Distinguished Service Award, symbolizing a lifetime achievement of service within the shopping center and commercial real estate organization. 

2003 

David Applegate was appointed State's Attorney for the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District in Connecticut. Following a unanimous selection by the state’s Criminal Justice Commission, Applegate serves as the chief law enforcement officer for the district after years of public service across Connecticut, including leadership roles in Danbury, Bridgeport, and Stamford. 

Hon. Maxine S. Broderick, Acting Nassau County Court Judge, was installed as president of the Nassau County Bar Association on June 2. This marked the first time in the association’s 127-year history that a woman of color has been elevated to this position. "The installation represents a personal achievement and an important milestone for representation and leadership within the legal community," she said. 

2004 

Grace Bonilla, president and CEO of United Way of New York City, was honored with the Trailblazer Award by LatinoJustice PRLDEF, a national nonprofit that advances equity and justice for Latinx communities in the U.S., Puerto Rico and elsewhere and is fostering the next generation of Latinx leaders in the legal field and in communities. 

Liesel Carvajal was appointed as group general counsel at Hadron Insurance. As part of the executive leadership team, she oversees legal, regulatory, compliance, and corporate governance matters across the company’s global operations. 
 
Christine Murphy was named to GlobeSt.'s 2026 Women of Influence list in the CRE Legal Counsel category, celebrating women driving commercial real estate (CRE) forward and shaping the industry. She is a partner at Goodwin, where she advises on complex commercial real estate finance transactions, representing institutional lenders and investors across the market. 

Erika Tooman was appointed senior vice president and general counsel at Cosette Pharmaceuticals, bringing more than two decades of experience guiding pharmaceutical companies through periods of transformation, transaction activity, and operational scale. She will oversee all legal, compliance, governance, and risk management matters, serving as a strategic advisor to the executive team and Board of Directors.  

2005 

Grace Borrino, a family law attorney, community leader, and dedicated advocate for the legal profession, was appointed as president of the Columbian Lawyers Association.  

Adriana Schwartz joined Seward & Kissel as a partner in its New York office, as part of the firm's investment management group. Her practice focuses on securities law regulatory and compliance and trading issues for passive and activist investors.  

Timothy Sini was appointed head of the litigation department at Nixon Peabody, where he was elevated from the role of partner in the government investigations and white-collar defense practice. A former Suffolk County district attorney and longtime public servant, Sini brings decades of experience in complex legal matters and leadership to the role. 

2007 

Jessica Haber was appointed as general counsel and chief of staff at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.  

Lee Jacobs marked the one-year anniversary of his law firm Jacobs & Associates in June. He is also an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School, where he teaches Trial Advocacy and Evidence.  

Maryann C. Stallone, litigation and dispute resolution partner at Tannenbaum Helpern, was featured in amNewYork after being named chair of the New York State Bar Association’s commercial and federal litigation section for the 2026-27 term. 

2008 

Beth Baltimore was named as an Advocate for Joy Honoree by the Children’s Defense Fund-New York and received the Child Advocate Award in recognition of her tireless advocacy on behalf of vulnerable children and families. She is deputy director of The Door's Legal Services Center. 

2010

Hon. Sparkle Sooknanan, U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia, was featured in a recent Law.com article that noted her powerful keynote speech at the 2026 Brooklyn Law School Commencement ceremony. "In the years after I graduated, I worked tirelessly. I left nothing on the table," she said. "And one door opened another, then another and another, and here I am standing before you today. Push yourselves and have courage to go in directions that you did not imagine." 

2011 

Lindsay Lieberman wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post in which she examined the growing use of screens and digital platforms in elementary school classrooms, and the concerns many parents are raising about how early technology is being introduced in education.  

2012 

Ted Anastasiou has joined Harris Beach Murtha as a partner in the corporate practice group and cannabis industry team, expanding the firm’s capabilities in New York City and on Long Island. He focuses on complex corporate financing, M&A and related transactions and supports the corporate needs of clients in the cannabis, entertainment and digital assets industries, among others. 

2013

Jaclyn DeMais was elevated to shareholder at Greenberg Traurig. She is a member of the complex commercial litigation group and is based in the firm’s New Jersey office. 

Matthew Marcus was featured in Law.com on his journey to becoming partner at Pryor Cashman. He practices matrimonial and family law. 

2014

Becky Baek was named a 2026 Asian Trailblazer by City & State New York. She is a partner at Farrell Fritz, where she specializes in complex commercial litigation. 

Kempshall McAndrew was promoted to special counsel at Cuddy & Feder, where he deals with all aspects of litigation practice, from the initial pleadings to appellate work.  

2015

Eric J. Greenberg was elevated to principal at Ernst & Young in New York, where he is a member of the firm's mergers and acquisitions transaction tax practice. 
 
Philip M. Guffy made partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth in the Houston office. He advises clients on all aspects of insolvency matters and bankruptcy cases.  

Aamir Rahman was promoted to general counsel of the LINE Hotel Group, which is part of Soho House & Co, encompassing The LINE Hotels, The Ned (US), and Saguaro Hotels globally. 

2016 

Zachary A. Kaufman was promoted to counsel at Davis Polk & Wardwell, where he is a member of the firm's white collar defense and investigations group. He specializes in high-stakes and complex internal and government investigations. 

Charlene Lanez was promoted to partner at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman and will be based in the firm's New York office. She is known for navigating all aspects of complex civil litigation with a special focus on New York labor law litigation. 

Dylan Ruffi joined Carter Ledyard & Milburn as counsel, bringing his commercial litigation and government investigations practice to the firm's financial services sector and litigation group. He previously served as enforcement counsel at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). 

Alexandra Downey Thomas has joined Hudson Valley-based Feldman, Kleidman, Collins & Sappe, as of counsel, concentrating on personal injury and medical malpractice defense. 

2017 

Tim Costello was promoted to chief intellectual property counsel at Monotype, which licenses typefaces, fonts, and font management software to clients around the world. 

2019 

Rachel N. Friedman has joined Barclay Damon as an associate in its torts and products liability defense and professional liability practice areas. Her primary office is in Syracuse, N.Y. Friedman focuses her practice on representing and defending clients in medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, and personal injury matters.  

2020 

Sara Goldman joined Riker Danzig as an associate in the firm's intellectual property group, where she will focus her practice on trademark prosecution and portfolio management, and assisting clients in all aspects of trademark protection, from clearance through registration. 

Reuben Gottlieb, a managing director at Mark S. Gottlieb, CPA, was named as a 2026 Emerging Leader by the New York State Society of CPAs (NYCPA). The award recognizes NYCPA members who have demonstrated leadership in their organization, made significant professional achievements in the past year and have gone "above and beyond" in giving back to the community. 

2022

Jackson Bicknell directed Shark Lake, which won Best Picture, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song at the East Village Film Festival. He is a staff attorney at Access Justice Brooklyn. 

Molly Drescher joined Barclay Damon’s real estate and financial institutions and lending practice areas as an associate, with her primary office in Syracuse, N.Y. She focuses on sophisticated commercial real estate transactions for institutional investors, developers, and lenders. 

2024

Jesse Waxman was named associate counsel for the New York Red Bulls, where he will focus on supporting the club's legal operations. 

2026 

Anna Young was selected as a 2026 Equal Justice Works fellow with the American Civil Liberties Union's Disability Rights Project, where she will address two critical and evolving areas of civil rights law: reproductive rights and disability rights.