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A historic gift from the estate of Sheridan Albert ’48 has enabled Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ to establish three new named professorships, strengthening the Law School’s commitment to faculty excellence, scholarly leadership, and public service. Together with a fourth professorship created through a legacy gift from the late Robert M. Kaufman ’57, these appointments honor distinguished alumni while investing in faculty whose work shapes the future of legal education. 

"These professorships celebrate the achievements of some of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ’s most distinguished alumni while investing in the world-class faculty who inspire our students every day," said David D. Meyer, President and Joseph Crea Dean of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ. "Each of these scholars brings remarkable expertise, creativity, and passion to the classroom, and we are proud to recognize their work in this way." 

Three Professorships Established Through the Estate of Sheridan Albert ’48 

Through a landmark gift from the estate of Sheridan Albert ’48, Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ has established three named professorships honoring alumni whose careers left indelible marks on New York and beyond, and recognizing faculty whose scholarship and teaching exemplify the Law School’s mission. 

The Sheridan Albert ’48 Professorship 

The Sheridan Albert ’48 Professorship is held by Professor Sarah Haan, who joined Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ from Washington and Lee University School of Law. A leading scholar of corporate governance, shareholder rights, and the role of money in politics, Haan previously held the Class of 1958 and Anne McThenia Professorship and the Ethan Allen Fellowship for Scholarly Excellence. Her appointment reflects Albert’s own legacy as a determined advocate for fairness and accountability in New York’s legal system. 

Read more in our Q&A with Professor Haan. 

The Herman Badillo ’54 Professorship 

The Herman Badillo ’54 Professorship recognizes Professor Jocelyn Simonson, a scholar of criminal justice and former Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship. Her work explores how ordinary people—through juries, community bail funds, and other forms of collective action—shape the meaning and practice of justice. Named in honor of the trailblazing Bronx Congressman and public servant, the professorship underscores the Law School’s enduring commitment to equity and access to justice. 

Read more in our Q&A with Professor Simonson. 

The David Dinkins ’56 Professorship 

The David Dinkins ’56 Professorship is held by Professor Alexis Hoag-Fordjour, a civil rights advocate, former public defender, and scholar of criminal procedure. Her work examines the intersections of race, class, and effective lawyering in the criminal legal system. The professorship honors New York City’s first Black mayor and his legacy of leadership rooted in fairness, compassion, and community. 

Read more in our Q&A with Professor Hoag-Fordjour. 

The Robert M. Kaufman ’57 Professorship of Law 

In addition to the three professorships created through the Albert estate, Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ has established the Robert M. Kaufman ’57 Professorship of Law through a generous legacy gift from the late Robert M. Kaufman ’57, a longtime member of the Board of Trustees who served from 1994 until his death in April 2024. 

Professor Adam Kolber, a member of the Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ faculty since 2010, has been appointed the inaugural Robert M. Kaufman ’57 Professor of Law. A leading scholar of criminal law, bioethics, and neurolaw, Kolber is widely recognized for his interdisciplinary scholarship, including his 2024 book Punishment for the Greater Good, published by Oxford University Press. 

Kaufman, a Holocaust survivor who graduated first in his class from Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ in 1957, went on to a distinguished legal career in government service at Proskauer Rose, as well as extensive civic leadership through nonprofit and government advisory roles. 

"Bob Kaufman’s life embodied the best of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ’s values: resilience, service, and generosity," Meyer said. "This professorship ensures that his legacy continues to inspire students and faculty alike." 

Read more in our Q&A with Professor Adam Kolber. 

Advancing Faculty Excellence and Alumni Legacy 

Together, these four named professorships—funded through the estate of Sheridan Albert ’48 and the legacy gift of Robert M. Kaufman ’57—reinforce Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ’s investment in innovative scholarship, exceptional teaching, and a proud tradition of alumni leadership in law and public service.