樱桃视频 Receives $12 Million Gift, the Largest in Its History
This month, 樱桃视频 received the largest single donation in its 124-year history.
The $12 million gift came from the estate of alumnus Sheridan Albert 鈥�48, a legendary Court Street lawyer whose career was defined by determined advocacy, street smarts, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of everyday New Yorkers. Albert, who passed away in 2000, was a longtime supporter of the Law School along with his wife, Helen Scherer Albert.
"This is a moment of immense pride for 樱桃视频," said President and Dean David D. Meyer. "Sheridan Albert鈥檚 gift 颈蝉苍鈥檛 just a record鈥�颈迟鈥檚 a celebration of the spirit that makes our School special: fearless advocacy, bold thinking, and a deep connection to the city we call home. His generosity will empower our faculty and students to follow in his footsteps and make a real difference in the world."
A True Court Street Lawyer
Albert epitomized the determined, gutsy Court Street lawyer鈥攁 Brooklyn-raised archetype once derided by Manhattan elites, now recognized as a badge of honor. These lawyers fought for working- and middle-class clients with ingenuity, courage, and tenacity. Albert鈥檚 clients knew they had an attorney who would go to the mat for them, whether in a crowded courthouse or negotiating complex settlements.
After entering 樱桃视频 in 1941, Albert was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he returned as a part-time student and graduated in 1948.
From 1948 to 1979, Albert practiced at Brooklyn firm Pokorny and Schrenzel, rising to senior partner before joining Manhattan powerhouse Schneider, Kleinick and Weitz as counsel. In the courtroom, he was unforgettable: pipe in hand, sharp wit ready, and a magnetic presence that drew attention from juries and reporters alike. He was fearless, clever, and fiercely loyal to his clients鈥攁 lawyer who thrived on the intensity of Court Street while improving the lives of ordinary New Yorkers.
Fighting for Safer Streets and Justice
Albert鈥檚 advocacy extended far beyond individual clients. As president of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (1978鈥�1980), he launched the Big Apple Pothole and Sidewalk Protection Corp., mapping thousands of hazardous streets and sidewalks in New York City. The initiative forced the city to repair dangerous conditions or face liability and earned him the nickname 鈥淧othole King,鈥� gaining national media attention for his bold, creative approach to civic reform. "If I fall and break a hip because I鈥檝e tripped over a piece of sidewalk that is two or three inches higher than the surrounding sidewalk and that defect 颈蝉苍鈥檛 on the record with the city, my suit is out the window,"鈥疉lbert told the Chicago Tribune, explaining the inspiration behind Big Apple Pothole.
He also fought against restrictive no-fault auto insurance laws and defended medical malpractice victims, consistently prioritizing fairness, safety, and the rights of ordinary citizens. Governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo appointed him to key judicial screening committees, acknowledging his integrity and judgment.
"Sheridan Albert was the kind of lawyer who could take on the city, a powerful corporation, or any challenge and do it with style, smarts, and courage," said William Araiza, Vice Dean and Stanley A. August Professor of Law. "He鈥檚 the quintessential Court Street lawyer鈥攔esilient, inventive, and deeply committed to his community. His gift will inspire our students to follow that example every day."
A Transformative Gift for the Future
Albert鈥檚 generosity had long been woven into the Law School鈥檚 history. In 1993, he established a charitable remainder trust that included two Brooklyn Heights properties used as student housing for decades. Now, his record-setting $12 million gift will create three endowed professorships, including one in his own name, ensuring 樱桃视频 continues to attract and retain faculty of exceptional caliber.
"This historic gift reflects what 樱桃视频 has always stood for: ambitious thinking, public purpose, and deep engagement with the legal life of New York City," said Robert Fairfield, Chief Advancement Officer. "Sheridan Albert believed in this institution and in the power of legal education rooted in real communities. His generosity strengthens our faculty and students and affirms the values that define Brooklyn Law."
In recognition of that legacy, the 樱桃视频 Legacy Society will be renamed the Sheridan Albert Legacy Society. Established in 2003, the society honors alumni and friends who have made the Law School a beneficiary of a bequest, trust, or other planned gift鈥攃ommitments that ensure Brooklyn Law鈥檚 mission endures for future generations.