Alexander Forger Explained

Alexander Forger
Birth Name:Alexander Darrow Forger
Birth Date:19 February 1923
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Occupation:Lawyer
Party:Democratic

Alexander Darrow Forger (born February 19, 1923) is an American lawyer from New York City.

Education and career

After infantry service with the United States Army in the European theatre of World War II, he received degrees from Princeton University and Yale Law School, and, after graduating, he was hired by Milbank.[1] Becoming a partner at Milbank in 1958, he was a prominent trust and estate lawyer for several decades, notably representing Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Rachel Lambert Mellon, and he chaired the firm's executive committee from 1984 to 1992.[2]

From 1980 to 1981, Forger was president of the New York State Bar Association as well as a member of the American Bar Association (ABA)'s House of Delegates. He was The Legal Aid Society's president from 1977 to 1979 and was chair of its board of directors from 1984 to 1993.[1] From 1994 to 1997, he was president of the Legal Services Corporation. He is especially passionate about advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community and individuals with HIV/AIDS, citing discrimination he witnessed against his gay son and by policymakers throughout his career.[2] In 2011, the ABA established the Alexander D. Forger Awards, given annually to "celebrate lawyers and legal service providers who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to the advancement of the rule of law for individuals living with HIV and the provision of direct legal services to individuals affected by HIV".

Notes and References

  1. News: Dena. Kleiman. The New President of the Legal Aid Society. The New York Times. October 28, 1977. 127. 43742. Late City. B3. October 27, 2023.
  2. Forger. Alexander. A lawyer looks at 100. ABA Journal. October 5, 2023. Amanda Robert. American Bar Association. October 27, 2023.