50th anniversary: A legacy of significant contributions

Our founders set out to establish a different type of law firm — one that advances human dignity, respect and collegiality both within the firm and across society. Over the years, other leaders have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to these principles as well. These principles continue to define us. Below is a list of our name partners and a timeline of the evolution of our firm’s name.

Arthur Kramer, a founding partner (1968 – 1996), played a significant role in shaping the conversation around LGBT advocacy and representation. He served on the boards of the Center for Educational Innovation-Public Education Association, the Salk Institute and the Hospital for Joint Diseases, and made generous contributions to the Child Study Center at Yale, the Jewish Fund for Justice, the Coalition for the Homeless and the Larry Kramer Initiative for Lesbian and Gay Studies at Yale.

Louis Lowenstein, a founding partner (1968 – 1978) and former Columbia Law professor, worked tirelessly throughout his career in support of the Coalition for the Homeless. Louis went on to become president of Supermarkets General (now known as Pathmark).

Maury Nessen, an early firm leader (1968 – 1999) and a passionate advocate for social justice, served as president of the Legal Aid Society (1985 – 1987). He received the Thurgood Marshall award for his pro bono representation of a death row prisoner.

Sherwin Kamin, a founding partner (1968 – 2000), established,built and led the firm’s Tax and Individual Client groups. A celebrated figure among prominent tax lawyers in the New York legal community, Sherwin, known as a “lawyer’s lawyer,” was long associated with the American Law Institute.

Judge Eugene Nickerson was a name partner (1971 – 1977) and a federal judge (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 1977 – 2002). Prior to joining the firm, he was the first Democrat since 1912 elected to a countywide seat in Nassau County, where he served as county executive from 1962 to 1970.

George Soll joined the firm as a name partner in 1973. George was a member of the American Judicature Society, the Citizens Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the president of the Rosyln Democratic Club. He was the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 3rd District in 1962.

Ezra Levin, who joined the firm in 1979 and became a name partner in 1981, has been involved in numerous civil rights and Jewish community activities. As co-chair of the New York Coalition for Soviet Jewry, he traveled to the Soviet Union, where he advocated for the civil and social rights of Soviet Jews. He has served as president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and was the founding chair of Solomon Schechter High School.

Judge Marvin Frankel, the celebrated legal scholar, federal judge (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1965 – 1978), Columbia Law professor (1962 – 1965) and Kramer Levin name partner (1983 – 2002), helped establish sentencing guidelines for the federal courts. He was a lifelong advocate for human rights, serving 24 years on the board of Human Rights First (HRF), including 16 years as chair. Judge Frankel made his last argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in February 2002, days before his passing and the 50th anniversary of his first argument before the Court.

Gary Naftalis served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York (1968 – 1974), holding the title deputy chief of the Criminal Division prior to joining Kramer Levin in 1981. A name partner since 1992, Gary established our White Collar Defense and Investigations practice and currently co-chairs the firm and the Litigation department. His work for clients such as Kidder Peabody, Michael Eisner and Ian Schrager, as well as his pro bono representation of Touro Synagogue, has earned Gary a place as one of the premier litigators in the profession.