On June 1, New York Governor David Paterson announced an executive order renaming the State Justice Building in Albany the Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice in honor of former Attorney General Robert Abrams ’63.
“Robert Abrams embodies the rule of law and the pursuit of justice,” Governor Paterson said. “He fought fiercely for the people of this state, protecting consumer and civil rights and launching groundbreaking efforts in the areas of environmental protection and criminal prosecution. He has left an indelible mark on New York’s history.”
“Every day of governmental service provided a unique challenge and enormous personal satisfaction,” Abrams said. “This is an extraordinary moment in my life. My family and I are grateful to Governor Paterson for this wonderful announcement.”
Abrams, currently a partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, devoted nearly 30 years to public service in New York, including four terms as attorney general from 1979 until 1993. He was also elected to three terms in the New York State Assembly and three terms as the Bronx borough president between 1966 and 1979. He served as president of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), which awarded him with the Wyman Award as the outstanding attorney general in the nation in 1991. The NAAG also presented Abrams with the Bellotti Award in 2005, in recognition of his diligent work to further the Association’s mission, outstanding leadership abilities, and high moral character.
In addition, NYU Law created the Attorney General Robert Abrams Annual Public Service Lecture and has featured Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, former Senator and current Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, former Arizona Governor and current Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Governor James Doyle of Wisconsin, former Vermont Chief Justice Jeffrey Amestoy, and New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram ’96.
Posted on June 2, 2009