NYSBA, Albany, NY, April 5, 2025
The legal world lost one of its giants last month when Alex Forger passed away at the age of 102.
Alex was one of those rare lawyers who practiced his profession at the very highest level while rendering public service also at the very highest level.
After a cutting edge education at Princeton and Yale Law School, Alex entered the portals of Milbank Tweed — a great firm, which became even greater under his leadership. Alex spent his entire career at Milbank, ultimately serving as its Chairman. He was the architect of the firm’s growth, in size and stature.
Alex was a progressive leader whose concerns included, but went beyond, the bottom line. Under his aegis, Milbank became the first major firm to offer medical and other benefits to the same-sex partners of its gay personnel. He was a champion of gay rights throughout his career, most notably during the AIDS epidemic; when, in defiance of entrenched prejudices, he established and chaired the Volunteer Project to provide legal services for people with HIV/AIDS. He was also a champion of women’s rights — a leader of the successful effort to elevate women to the presidency of the ABA.
Alex specialized in trust and estates law, which he practiced at the pinnacle of the profession. His Triple A list of clients included
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Katherine Hepburn
The Mellon Family
The Rockefeller Family
Among others.
But while advising and representing the rich and famous, Alex made his most notable contribution by addressing the legal needs of the poorest, the weakest, the most vulnerable members of society. “Access to Justice” was his watchword, and he institutionalized pro bono legal services in the profession at large. He served as President and Chairman of the Legal Aid Society for 11 years; and then President of the Legal Services Corporation, appointed by President Bill Clinton.
Those titles — “President’ and “Chairman” — recur throughout Alex’s career. He was a leader, who rose to the top and left his mark on many entities. That included New York Law School, of which he was Chairman; the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, of which he was director; and Rockefeller University, of which he was a Trustee.
His service also extended to the organized bar. Alex held many important positions in the major bar associations. Most notably, in the 1980’s, he was president of the New York State Bar Association.
During my own tenure as President, I awarded Alex Forger our highest honor — the Gold Medal. I very well remember the occasion when I did so — a glittering event at the Harvard Club, attended by the judiciary and the leaders of our profession. It was easy to craft my remarks — I just quoted from Alex’s own very eloquent speeches and articles.
That was not the only medal Alex ever received. He served with distinction in the infantry in World War II and was awarded the Bronze Start for heroism in combat.
In addition to all his other achievements, Alex was the quintessential family man. His first wife Nan, a lovely, accomplished woman, was a community leader — like Alex himself. She served as a Larchmont Village Trustee — one of the very first women, and even more extraordinary, one of the first Democrats, to achieve that electoral breakthrough. She and Alex were married for 47 years. It was my good fortune to work with Nan on many local projects.
After Nan’s death, Alex was introduced to Fern Schair. The matchmaker was none other than Chief Judge Judith Kaye, a good fried of both. Judge Kaye was convinced that Alex and Fern would make an ideal couple, and, as usual, she was right on target. Alex and Fern were married for 28 years. Like Alex, she was a leader of our profession, serving for many years as Chief Executive of the New York City Bar.
Alex had a cornucopia of children, step-children, grand-children and step-grand-children, several of whom were named Alex in his honor.
I was privileged to know Alex Forger for more than 50 years, as a friend, colleague, neighbor and mentor. He was a great source of encouragement and wisdom in my own career — never failing to take note of, and comment favorably on, my professional and political activities.
I will miss Alex Forger. The legal world will miss Alex Forger.
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